The following is an alphabetical list of medical prefixes and suffixes, along with their meanings, origin, and English examples.
Affix |
Meaning |
Origin language and etymology |
Examples |
a-, an- |
not, without |
Ancient Greek ἀ-/ἀν- (a-/an-), not, without |
Analgesic, apathy |
ab- |
from; away from |
Latin |
Abduction |
abdomin(o)- |
Of or relating to the abdomen |
Latin abdōmen, abdomen, fat around the belly |
Abdomen |
-ac, -acal |
pertaining to |
Greek -ακός (-akos) |
cardiac, hydrophobiac |
acanth(o)- |
thorn or spine |
Ancient Greek ἄκανθα (akantha), thorn |
acanthion, acanthocyte, acanthoma, acanthulus |
acous(io)- |
Of or relating to hearing |
Greek ἀκουστικός (acoustikos), of or for hearing |
acoumeter, acoustician |
acr(o)- |
extremity, topmost |
Greek ἄκρον (akron), highest or farthest point |
Acrocrany, acromegaly, acroosteolysis, acroposthia |
-acusis |
hearing |
Greek ἀκουστικός (acoustikos), of or for hearing |
paracusis |
-ad |
toward, in the direction of |
|
dorsad |
ad- |
at, increase, on, toward |
Latin |
Adduction |
aden(o)-, aden(i)- |
Of or relating to a gland |
Ancient Greek ἀδήν, ἀδέν- (adēn, aden-), an acorn; a gland |
Adenocarcinoma, adenology, adenotome, adenotyphus |
adip(o)- |
Of or relating to fat or fatty tissue |
Latin (adeps, adip-), fat |
Adipocyte |
adren(o)- |
Of or relating to adrenal glands |
Latin |
adrenal artery |
-aemia (BrE) |
blood condition |
Greek ἀναιμία, without blood |
Anaemia |
aer(o)- |
air, gas |
Greek ἀήρ, ἀέρος |
Aerosinusitis |
aesthesio- (BrE) |
sensation |
Greek αἴσθησις |
Anesthesia |
-al |
pertaining to |
Latin -alis |
abdominal, femoral |
alb- |
Denoting a white or pale color |
Latin albus, white |
Albino |
alge(si)- |
pain |
Greek ἄλγος |
Analgesic |
-algia, alg(i)o- |
pain |
Greek |
Myalgia |
all(o)- |
Denoting something as different, or as an addition |
Ancient Greek ἄλλος (allos), another, other |
Alloantigen, allopathy |
ambi- |
Denoting something as positioned on both sides; describing both of two |
Latin (ambi-, ambo), both, on both sides |
Ambidextrous |
amni- |
Pertaining to the membranous fetal sac (amnion) |
Greek ἄμνιον |
Amniocentesis |
amph(i)-, |
on both sides |
Greek ἀμφί (amphi) |
Amphicrania, amphismela, amphomycin |
amylo- |
starchy, carbohydrate-related |
Latin amylum (starch) |
Amylase, amylophagia |
an- |
not, without |
Greek |
Analgesia |
ana- |
back, again, up |
Greek |
Anaplasia |
an- |
anus |
Latin |
anal |
andr(o)- |
pertaining to a man |
Greek ἀνήρ, ἀνδρ- |
Android, andrology, androgen |
angi(o)- |
blood vessel |
Greek ἀγγεῖον |
Angiogram |
aniso- |
Describing something as unequal |
Ancient Greek ἄνῑσος (anīsos), unequal |
Anisocytosis, anisotropic |
ankyl(o)-, ancyl(o)- |
Denoting something as crooked or bent |
Ancient Greek ἀγκύλος (ankýlos), crooked, curved |
Ankylosis |
ante- |
Describing something as positioned in front of another thing |
Latin (āntē), before, in front of |
antepartum |
anti- |
Describing something as 'against' or 'opposed to' another |
Ancient Greek αντι (anti), against |
Antibody, antipsychotic |
apo- |
away, separated from, derived from |
Ancient Greek ἀπό |
Apoptosis |
arch- |
first, primitive |
Ancient Greek |
archinephron |
arsen(o)- |
Of or pertaining to a male; masculine |
Greek (arsein) |
arsenoblast |
arteri(o)- |
Of or pertaining to an artery |
Ancient Greek ἀρτηρία (artēría), a wind-pipe, artery (used distinctly versus a vein) |
Arteriole, artery |
arthr(o)- |
Of or pertaining to the joints, limbs |
Ancient Greek αρθρος (arthros), a joint, limb |
Arthritis |
articul(o)- |
joint |
Latin articulus |
Articulation |
-ary |
pertaining to |
Latin -arius |
biliary tract |
-ase |
enzyme |
Greek διάστασις, division |
Lactase |
-asthenia |
weakness |
Greek, ἀσθένεια |
Myasthenia gravis |
atel(o)- |
imperfect or incomplete development |
|
atelocardia |
ather(o)- |
fatty deposit, soft gruel-like deposit |
|
Atherosclerosis |
-ation |
process |
Latin |
medication |
atri(o)- |
an atrium (esp. heart atrium) |
Latin |
atrioventricular |
aur(i)- |
Of or pertaining to the ear |
Latin (auris), the ear |
Aural |
aut(o)- |
self |
Greek αὐτο- |
Autoimmune |
aux(o)- |
increase; growth |
|
Auxocardia : enlargement of the heart, Auxology |
axill- |
Of or pertaining to the armpit (uncommon as a prefix) |
Latin (axilla), armpit |
Axilla |
azo(to)- |
nitrogenous compound |
|
azothermia : raised temperature due to nitrogenous substances in blood |
Affix |
Meaning |
Origin language and etymology |
Example(s) |
bacteri(o)- |
Pertaining to bacteria |
Latin ("bacterium"); Greek βακτήριον ("baktḗrion"), “small staff” |
Bacteriophage, Bactericide |
balano- |
Of the glans penis or glans clitoridis |
Greek βάλανος (bálanos), acorn, glans |
Balanitis |
bas(o)- |
Of or pertaining to base |
Greek βάσις (básis), "foundation", "base" |
Basolateral |
bi- |
twice, double |
Latin |
Binary |
bio- |
life |
Ancient Greek βίος (bíos) |
Biology |
blast(o)- |
germ or bud |
Greek βλαστός (blastós) |
Blastomere |
blephar(o)- |
Of or pertaining to the eyelid |
Ancient Greek βλέφαρον (blépharon), eyelid |
Blepharoplast |
brachi(o)- |
Of or relating to the arm |
Latin (bracchium), from Ancient Greek βραχίων (brachiōn), arm |
Brachium of inferior colliculus |
brachy- |
Indicating 'short' or less commonly 'little' |
Ancient Greek βραχύς (brachys), short, little, shallow |
brachycephalic |
brady- |
'slow' |
Ancient Greek βραδύς (bradys), slow |
Bradycardia |
bronch(i)- |
of or relating to the bronchus |
Latin (bronchus); Ancient Greek βρόγχος (brónkhos), windpipe |
Bronchitis, bronchiolitis obliterans |
bucc(o)- |
Of or pertaining to the cheek |
Latin (bucca), cheek |
Buccolabial |
burs(o)- |
bursa (fluid sac between the bones) |
Latin (bursa), purse; Ancient Greek βύρσα (búrsa), hide, wine-skin |
Bursa, bursitis |
Affix |
Meaning |
Origin language and etymology |
Example(s) |
capill- |
Of or pertaining to hair |
Latin (capillus), hair |
Capillus |
capit- |
Pertaining to the head (as a whole) |
Latin (caput, capit-), the head |
Capitation |
carcin(o)- |
cancer |
Greek καρκίνος (karkinos), crab |
Carcinoma |
cardi(o)- |
Of or pertaining to the heart |
Ancient Greek καρδία (kardía), heart |
Cardiology |
carp(o)- |
Of or pertaining to the wrist |
Latin (carpus) < Ancient Greek καρπός (karpós), wrist; NOTE: This root should not be confused with the mirror root carp(o)- meaning fruit. |
Carpopedal |
cata- |
down, under |
Greek κατά (kata) |
Cataract, catabolism |
-cele |
pouching, hernia |
Ancient Greek κήλη (kēlē) |
Hydrocele, Varicocele |
-centesis |
surgical puncture for aspiration |
Ancient Greek κέντησις (kentēsis) |
Amniocentesis |
cephal(o)- |
Of or pertaining to the head (as a whole) |
Ancient Greek κεφαλή (képhalē), the head |
Cephalalgy, hydrocephalus |
cerat(o)- |
Of or pertaining to the cornu; a horn |
Ancient Greek κέρας, κερατ- (kéras, kerat-), a horn |
Ceratoid |
cerebell(o)- |
Of or pertaining to the cerebellum |
Latin (cerebellum), little brain |
Cerebellum |
cerebr(o)- |
Of or pertaining to the brain |
Latin (cerebrum), brain |
Cerebrology |
cervic- |
Of or pertaining to the neck, the cervix |
Latin (cervix, cervīc-), neck, cervix |
Cervicodorsal |
chem(o)- |
chemistry, drug |
Greek χημεία |
Chemotherapy |
chir(o)-, cheir(o)- |
Of or pertaining to the hand |
Ancient Greek χείρ, χειρο- (cheir, cheiro-), hand |
Chiropractor |
chlor(o)- |
Denoting a green color |
Ancient Greek χλωρός (chloros), green, yellow-green |
Chlorophyll |
chol(e)- |
Of or pertaining to bile |
Ancient Greek χολή (cholē), bile |
Cholaemia (UK)/ Cholemia (US), Cholecystitis |
cholecyst(o)- |
Of or pertaining to the gallbladder |
Ancient Greek χοληκύστις (cholēkýstis), gallbladder < χολή (cholē), bile, gall + κύστις (kýstis), bladder |
Cholecystectomy |
chondr(i)o- |
cartilage, gristle, granule, granular |
Ancient Greek χονδρός (chondros) |
Chondrocalcinosis |
chrom(ato)- |
color |
Ancient Greek χρῶμα (chrōma) |
Hemochromatosis |
-cidal, -cide |
killing, destroying |
Latin |
bacteriocidal |
cili- |
Of or pertaining to the cilia, the eyelashes; eyelids |
Latin (cilium), eyelash; eyelid |
Ciliary |
circum- |
Denoting something as 'around' another |
Latin (circum), around |
circumcision |
cis- |
on this side |
Latin cis |
cisgender |
clast |
break |
Greek κλαστός "broken" |
osteoclast |
clostr- |
spindle |
Greek κλωστήρ (klōstēr) |
Clostridium difficile |
co- |
with, together, in association |
Latin |
coenzymes |
col-, colo-, colono- |
colon |
κόλον (kólon) |
Colonoscopy |
colp(o)- |
Of or pertaining to the vagina |
Ancient Greek κόλπος (kólpos), bosom, womb; hollow, depth |
Colposcopy |
com- |
with, together |
Latin cum |
|
contra |
against |
Latin |
Contraindicate |
cor- |
with, together |
Latin |
corrective |
cor- |
Of or pertaining to eye's pupil |
Ancient Greek κόρη (kórē), girl, doll; pupil of the eye |
Corectomy |
cord- |
Of or pertaining to the heart (uncommon as a prefix) |
Latin (cor, cordi-), "heart" |
Commotio cordis |
cornu- |
Applied to processes and parts of the body describing them likened or similar to horns |
Latin cornū, "horn" |
Greater cornu |
coron(o)- |
pertaining to heart |
Latin corōna |
coronary heart disease |
cost- |
Of or pertaining to the ribs |
Latin (costa), "rib" |
Costochondral |
cox- |
Of or relating to the hip, haunch, or hip-joint |
Latin (coxa), hip |
Coxopodite |
crani(o)- |
Belonging or relating to the cranium |
Latin (cranium) < Ancient Greek κρᾱνίον (krānion), the cranium, skull, bones enclosing the brain |
Craniology |
-crine, crin(o) |
to secrete |
εκκρίνει ecrine |
Endocrine |
cry(o)- |
cold |
Greek κρύος |
Cryoablation |
cutane- |
skin |
Latin cutis |
Subcutaneous |
cyan(o)- |
Denotes a blue color |
Ancient Greek κύανος, κυάνεος (kýanos, kyáneos), blue |
Cyanopsia |
cycl- |
circle, cycle |
Greek κύκλος (kuklos) |
|
cyph(o)- |
Denotes something as bent (uncommon as a prefix) |
Ancient Greek κυφός (kȳphós), bent, hunchback |
Cyphosis |
cyst(o)-, cyst(i)- |
Of or pertaining to the urinary bladder |
Ancient Greek κύστις κύστις (kýstis); bladder, cyst |
Cystotomy |
cyt(o)-, -cyte |
cell |
Greek κύτος |
Cytokine, leukocyte |
Affix |
Meaning |
Origin language and etymology |
Example(s) |
dacry(o)- |
Of or pertaining to tears |
Greek δάκρυ, tear |
Dacryoadenitis, dacryocystitis |
-dactyl(o)- |
Of or pertaining to a finger, toe |
Ancient Greek δάκτυλος (dáktylos), finger, toe |
dactylology, polydactyly |
de- |
from, down, or not |
Latin de- |
dehydrate |
dent- |
Of or pertaining to teeth |
Latin (dens, dentis), tooth |
Dentist |
dermat(o)-, derm(o)- |
Of or pertaining to the skin |
Ancient Greek δέρμα, δέρματος (dérma, dérmat-), skin, human skin |
Dermatology, epidermis, hypodermic, xeroderma |
-desis |
binding |
Greek δέσις (désis) |
arthrodesis |
dextr(o)- |
right, on the right side |
Latin dexter |
Dextrocardia |
di- |
two |
Greek δι- |
Diplopia |
di- |
apart, separation |
Latin |
dilation, distal |
dia- |
through, during, across |
Ancient Greek διά (diá), through, during, across |
dialysis |
dif- |
apart, separation |
Latin |
different |
digit- |
Of or pertaining to the finger [rare as a root] |
Latin (digitus), finger, toe |
Digit |
diplo- |
twofold |
Greek διπλόος (diplóos) |
diploid, diplosis |
-dipsia |
suffix meaning "(condition of) thirst"' |
Greek δίψα (dípsa) |
dipsomania, hydroadipsia, oligodipsia, polydipsia |
dis- |
separation, taking apart |
Latin dis- |
Dissection |
dors(o)-, dors(i)- |
Of or pertaining to the back |
Latin (dorsum), back |
dorsal, dorsocephalad |
dromo- |
running, conduction, course |
Greek δρόμος (drómos) |
Dromotropic, syndrome |
duodeno- |
duodenum, twelve: upper part of the small intestine (twelve inches long on average), connects to the stomach |
Latin duodeni |
Duodenal atresia |
dynam(o)- |
force, energy, power |
Greek δύναμις (dúnamis) |
Hand strength dynamometer |
-dynia |
pain |
|
Vulvodynia |
dys- |
bad, difficult, defective, abnormal |
Greek δυσ- (dus-) |
dysentery, dysphagia, dysphasia |
Affix |
Meaning |
Origin language and etymology |
Example(s) |
-eal |
pertaining to |
Latin |
adenohypophyseal, corneal, esophageal, perineal |
ec- |
out, away |
Greek ἐκ- (ek-) |
Ectopia, ectopic pregnancy |
ect(o)- |
outer, outside |
Greek ἐκτός (ektós) |
Ectoblast, ectoderm |
-ectasia, -ectasis |
expansion, dilation |
Ancient Greek ἔκτασις (éktasis) |
Bronchiectasis, telangiectasia |
-ectomy |
Denotes a surgical operation or removal of a body part. Resection, excision |
Ancient Greek ἐκτομή (ektomḗ), excision |
Mastectomy |
-emesis |
vomiting condition |
Greek ἕμεσις (émesis) |
Hematemesis |
-emia |
blood condition (Am Engl) |
Greek ἀν-αιμία, without blood |
Anemia |
encephal(o)- |
Of or pertaining to the brain. Also see Cerebro. |
Ancient Greek ἐγκέφαλος (enképhalos), the brain |
Encephalogram |
endo- |
Denotes something as 'inside' or 'within' |
ἐνδο- (endo-), inside, internal |
Endocrinology, endospore |
eosin(o)- |
Red |
Ancient Greek Eos, the Greek word for 'dawn' and the name of the Greek goddess of the dawn. |
Eosinophil granulocyte |
enter(o)- |
Of or pertaining to the intestine |
Ancient Greek ἔντερον (énteron), intestine |
Gastroenterology |
epi- |
on, upon |
Ancient Greek ἐπι- (epi-), before, upon, on, outside, outside of |
Epicardium, epidermis, epidural, episclera, epistaxis |
episi(o)- |
Of or pertaining to the pubic region, the loins |
Ancient Greek ἐπίσιον- (epísion), the pubic area, loins; vulva |
Episiotomy |
erythr(o)- |
Denotes a red color |
Ancient Greek ἐρυθρός (erythrós), red |
Erythrocyte |
-esophageal, -esophago- |
gullet (AmE) |
Greek οἰσοφάγος (oisophágos) |
Esophagus |
esthesio- |
sensation (AmE) |
Greek αἴσθησις (aisthēsis) |
Esthesia |
eu- |
true, good, well, new |
εὖ (eû) |
Eukaryote |
ex- |
out of, away from |
Latin |
Excision |
exo- |
Denotes something as 'outside' another |
Ancient Greek ἐξω- (exo-), outside of, external |
Exophthalmos, exoskeleton |
extra- |
outside |
Latin |
Extradural hematoma |
Affix |
Meaning |
Origin language and etymology |
Example(s) |
galact(o)- |
milk |
Greek γάλα, γαλακτ- |
Galactorrhea |
gastr(o)- |
Of or pertaining to the stomach |
Ancient Greek γαστήρ (gastēr), γαστρ-, stomach, belly |
Gastric bypass |
-gen |
(1) Denotes the sense 'born in, from' (2) Denotes the sense 'of a certain kind' |
Ancient Greek -γενής (-genēs), from γεν-νάειν (gen-náein), to be born |
(1) Endogen; (2) Heterogenous |
-genic |
Formative, pertaining to producing |
Greek |
Cardiogenic shock |
genu- |
Of or pertaining to the knee |
Latin (genū), knee |
Genu valgum |
-geusia |
Taste |
Ancient Greek γεῦσις (geusis) |
Ageusia, dysgeusia, hypergeusia, hypogeusia, parageusia |
gingiv- |
Of or pertaining to the gums |
Latin gingīva, gum |
Gingivitis |
glauc(o)- |
Denoting a grey or bluish-grey colour |
Ancient Greek γλαυκός (glaukos), grey, bluish-grey |
Glaucoma |
gloss(o)-, glott(o)- |
Of or pertaining to the tongue |
Ancient Greek γλῶσσα, γλῶττα (glōssa, glōtta), tongue |
Glossology |
gluco- |
sweet |
Greek γλυκός, sweet |
Glucocorticoid |
glyc(o)- |
sugar |
Ancient Greek |
Glycolysis |
gnath(o)- |
Of or pertaining to the jaw |
Ancient Greek γνάθος (gnáthos), jaw |
Gnathodynamometer |
-gnosis |
knowledge |
Greek |
diagnosis, prognosis |
gon(o)- |
seed, semen; also, reproductive |
Ancient Greek γόνος |
Gonorrhea |
-gram, -gramme |
record or picture |
Greek γράμμα (gramma) |
Angiogram |
-graph |
instrument used to record data or picture |
Ancient Greek -γραφία (-graphía), written, drawn, graphic interpretation |
Electrocardiograph |
-graphy |
process of recording |
Ancient Greek |
Angiography |
gyno-, gynaeco- (BrE), gyneco- (AmE) |
woman |
Greek γυνή, γυναικ- |
Gynecomastia |
Affix |
Meaning |
Origin language and etymology |
Example(s) |
halluc- |
to wander in mind |
Classical Latin to wander in mind |
Hallucinosis |
hemat-, haemato- (haem-, hem-) |
Of or pertaining to blood |
Latin (hæma) < Ancient Greek αἵμα, αἱματ- (haima, haimat-), blood |
Hematology, older form Haematology |
hema- or hemo- |
blood (AmE) |
Greek |
Hemal, Hemoglobin |
hemangi or hemangio- |
blood vessels |
|
Hemangioma |
hemi- |
one-half |
Ancient Greek ἡμι- (hēmi-), "half" |
Cerebral hemisphere |
hepat- (hepatic-) |
Of or pertaining to the liver |
Ancient Greek ἥπαρ, ἡπατο- (hēpar, hēpato-), the liver |
Hepatology |
heter(o)- |
Denotes something as 'the other' (of two), as an addition, or different |
Ancient Greek ἕτερος (héteros), the other (of two), another; different |
Heterogeneous |
hidr(o)- |
sweat |
Greek ἱδρωτ- |
Hyperhidrosis |
hist(o)-, histio- |
tissue |
Greek ἱστός |
Histology |
home(o)- |
similar |
Ancient Greek ὅμοιος (homoios) |
Homeopathy |
hom(o)- |
Denotes something as 'the same' as another or common |
Ancient Greek ὁμο- (homo-), the same, common |
Homosexuality |
humer(o)- |
Of or pertaining to the shoulder (or [rarely] the upper arm) |
Latin (umerus), shoulder |
Humerus |
hydr(o)- |
water |
Greek ὕδωρ |
Hydrophobe |
hyper- |
Denotes something as 'extreme' or 'beyond normal' |
Ancient Greek ὑπέρ (hyper), over, above; beyond, to the extreme |
Hypertension |
hyp(o)- |
Denotes something as 'below normal' |
Ancient Greek ὑπ(ο)- (hypo-), below, under |
Hypovolemia, |
hyster(o)- |
Of or pertaining to the womb, the uterus |
Ancient Greek ὑστέρα (hystéra), womb |
Hysterectomy, Hysteria |
Affix |
Meaning |
Origin language and etymology |
Example(s) |
macr(o)- |
large, long |
Greek μακρός |
Macrophage |
-malacia |
softening |
Greek μαλακία |
Osteomalacia |
mamm(o)- |
Of or pertaining to the breast |
Latin (mamma), breast; udder |
Mammogram |
mammill(o)- |
Of or pertaining to the nipple |
Latin mammilla, nipple |
mammillaplasty, mammillitis |
manu- |
Of or pertaining to the hand |
Latin (manus), hand |
Manufacture |
mast(o)- |
Of or pertaining to the breast |
Ancient Greek μαστός (mastós), breast, women's breast; man's pectoral muscle |
Mastectomy |
meg(a)-, megal(o)-, -megaly |
enlargement, million |
Greek μέγας |
Splenomegaly, megameter |
melan(o)- |
black color |
Ancient Greek μέλας, μελανο- (melas, melano-), black; dark |
Melanin |
melos |
extremity |
Ancient Greek μέλος |
erythromelalgia |
mening(o)- |
membrane |
Greek μῆνιγξ, μηνιγγ- |
Meningitis |
men(o)- |
month, menstrual cycle |
Ancient Greek μήν (mḗn), month |
menopause, menorrhagia, |
mero- |
part |
Greek μέρος (meros), part |
merocrine, meroblastic |
mes(o)- |
middle |
Ancient Greek μέσος (mesos), "middle" |
Mesoderm |
meta- |
after, beyond or change |
Greek μετά |
Metacarpus |
-meter |
instrument used to measure or count |
Greek μέτρον |
Sphygmomanometer |
-metry |
process of measuring |
Greek -μετρία |
Optometry |
metr(o)- |
Pertaining to conditions or instruments of the uterus |
Ancient Greek μήτρᾱ (mētrā), womb, uterus |
Metrorrhagia |
micro- |
denoting something as small, or relating to smallness, millionth |
Ancient Greek μικρός (mikros), small |
Microscope |
milli- |
thousandth |
Latin mille, thousand |
milliliter |
mon(o)- |
single |
Greek μονός (monos) |
Infectious mononucleosis |
morph(o)- |
form, shape |
Greek μορφή (morphē) |
Morphology |
muscul(o)- |
muscle |
Latin |
Musculoskeletal system |
my(o)- |
Of or relating to muscle |
Ancient Greek μῦς, μυ- (mys, my-), muscle; mouse; mussel |
Myoblast |
myc(o)- |
fungus |
Greek μύκης, μυκητ- |
Onychomycosis |
myel(o)- |
Of or relating to bone marrow or spinal cord |
Ancient Greek μυελόν (myelon), marrow; bone-marrow |
Myeloblast |
myl(o)- |
Of or relating to molar teeth or lower jaw |
Greek (myle) |
Mylohyoid nerve |
myri- |
ten thousand |
Ancient Greek μύριοι (mýrioi), myriad |
myriad |
myring(o)- |
eardrum |
Latin myringa |
Myringotomy |
myx(o)- |
mucus |
Greek μύξα |
Myxoma |
Affix |
Meaning |
Origin language and etymology |
Example(s) |
ocul(o)- |
Of or pertaining to the eye |
Latin (oculus), the eye |
Oculist |
odont(o)- |
Of or pertaining to teeth |
Ancient Greek ὀδούς, ὀδοντ- (odoús, odont-), tooth |
orthodontist |
odyn(o)- |
pain |
Greek ὀδύνη |
stomatodynia |
-oesophageal, oesophago- (BrE) |
gullet |
Greek οἰσοφάγος |
oesophagus |
-oid |
resemblance to |
Greek -οειδής |
Sarcoidosis |
ole |
small or little |
Latin |
|
olig(o)- |
Denoting something as 'having little, having few' |
Ancient Greek ὀλίγος (oligos), few |
Oligotrophy |
om(o)- |
shoulder |
Ancient Greek ὠμός (ōmos), shoulder |
Omoplate |
-oma (singular), -omata (plural) |
tumor, mass, fluid collection |
Greek -ωμα |
Sarcoma, teratoma |
omphal(o)- |
Of or pertaining to the navel, the umbilicus |
Ancient Greek ὀμφαλός (omphalós), navel, belly-button |
Omphalotomy |
onco- |
tumor, bulk, volume |
Greek ὄγκος |
Oncology |
-one |
|
|
hormone |
onych(o)- |
Of or pertaining to the nail (of a finger or toe) |
Ancient Greek ὄνυξ, ὀνυχο- (ónyx, ónycho-), nail; claw; talon |
Onychophagy |
oo- |
Of or pertaining to the an (egg), a woman's egg, the ovum |
Ancient Greek ᾠόν, ᾠο- (ōón, ōo-), egg, ovum |
Oogenesis |
oophor(o)- |
Of or pertaining to the woman's (ovary) |
Neoclassical Greek ᾠοφόρον (ōophóron), ovary, egg-bearing |
Oophorectomy |
ophthalm(o)- |
Of or pertaining to the (eye) |
Ancient Greek ὀφθαλμός (ophthalmós), the eye |
Ophthalmology |
optic(o)- |
Of or relating to chemical properties of the eye |
Middle French (optique) < Greek ὀπτικός (optikós); ώψ (opsi), vision. Cognate with Latin oculus, relating to the eye |
Opticochemical, biopsy |
or(o)- |
Of or pertaining to the mouth |
Latin (ōs, or-), mouth |
Oral |
-or |
one who |
|
doctor |
orchi(o)-, orchid(o)-, orch(o)- |
testis |
Greek ὀρχις (orkhis, orkhi-) |
Orchiectomy, orchidectomy |
orth(o)- |
Denoting something as straight or correct |
Ancient Greek ὀρθός (orthós), straight, correct, normal |
Orthodontist |
-osis |
a condition, disease or increase |
Greek -ωσις |
Harlequin type ichthyosis, psychosis, osteoporosis |
osse- |
bony |
Latin |
Osseous |
ossi- |
bone |
Latin |
Peripheral ossifying fibroma |
ost(e)-, oste(o)- |
bone |
Greek ὀστέον |
Osteoporosis |
ot(o)- |
Of or pertaining to the ear |
Ancient Greek οὖς, ὠτ- (ous, ōt-), the ear |
Otology |
-ous |
pertaining to |
Latin -osus |
|
ovari(o)- |
Of or pertaining to the ovaries |
Latin (ōvarium), ovary |
Ovariectomy |
ovo-, ovi-, ov- |
Of or pertaining to the eggs, the ovum |
Latin (ōvum), egg, ovum |
Ovogenesis |
oxo- |
addition of oxygen |
Greek ὀξύς |
|
oxy- |
sharp, acid, acute, oxygen |
Greek ὀξύς(oxus) |
|
Affix |
Meaning |
Origin language and etymology |
Examples |
pachy- |
thick |
Greek παχύς |
pachyderma |
palpebr- |
Of or pertaining to the eyelid (uncommon as a root) |
Latin (palpebra), eyelid |
palpebra |
pan-, pant(o)- |
Denoting something as 'complete' or containing 'everything' |
Ancient Greek πᾶς, παν- (pas, pan-), all, every |
panophobia, panopticon |
papill- |
Of or pertaining to the nipple (of the chest/breast) |
Latin (papilla), nipple; diminutive of papula (see below) |
papillitis |
papul(o)- |
Indicates papulosity, a small elevation or swelling in the skin, a pimple, swelling |
Latin (papula), pimple, pustle; a small elevation or swelling in the skin |
papulation |
para- |
alongside of |
Ancient Greek παρά (para) |
paracyesis |
-paresis |
slight paralysis |
Greek πάρεσις |
hemiparesis |
parvo- |
small |
Latin parvus |
Parvovirus |
path(o)- |
disease |
Greek πάθος |
Pathology |
-pathy |
Denotes (with a negative sense) a disease, or disorder |
Ancient Greek πάθος (pathos), suffering, accident |
sociopathy, neuropathy |
pauci- |
Few |
Latin paucus |
Pauci-immune |
pector- |
breast or chest |
Latin pectus |
pectoralgia, pectoriloquy, pectorophony |
ped-, -ped-, -pes |
Of or pertaining to the foot; -footed |
Latin pēs, pēd-, foot |
Pedoscope |
ped-, pedo- |
Of or pertaining to the child |
Ancient Greek παιδός, child |
pediatrics. pedophilia |
pelv(i)-, pelv(o)- |
hip bone |
Latin |
Pelvis |
-penia |
deficiency |
Greek πενία |
osteopenia |
peo- |
Of or pertaining to the penis |
Greek πέος (peos) |
Peotomy |
-pepsia |
Denotes something relating to digestion, or the digestive tract. |
Ancient Greek πεπτός (peptós) cooked, digested < πέσσω (péssō) I boil, cook; digest |
Dyspepsia |
per- |
through |
Latin |
percutaneous |
peri- |
Denoting something with a position 'surrounding' or 'around' another |
Ancient Greek περί (peri), around |
Periodontal |
-pexy |
fixation |
Greek πῆξις |
Nephropexy |
phaco- |
lens-shaped |
Greek φακός |
phacolysis, phacometer, phacoscotoma |
-phage, -phagia |
Forms terms denoting conditions relating to eating or ingestion |
Ancient Greek φαγία (phagía) eating < φαγεῖν (phagein) to eat |
Sarcophagia |
-phago- |
eating, devouring |
Greek -φάγος |
phagocyte |
phagist- |
Forms nouns that denote a person who 'feeds on' the first element or part of the word |
Ancient Greek φαγιστής (phagistēs) eater; see -phagia |
Lotophagi |
-phagy |
Forms nouns that denotes 'feeding on' the first element or part of the word |
Ancient Greek φαγία (phagia) eating; see -phagia |
hematophagy |
phallo- |
phallus |
Greek φαλλός (phallos) |
Aphallia |
pharmaco- |
drug, medication |
Greek φάρμακον |
pharmacology |
pharyng(o)- |
Of or pertaining to the pharynx, the upper throat cavity |
Ancient Greek φάρυγξ, φαρυγγ- (phárynx, pháryng-), throat, windpipe; chasm |
Pharyngitis, Pharyngoscopy |
-phil(ia) |
attraction for |
Greek φιλία |
Hemophilia |
phleb(o)- |
Of or pertaining to the (blood) veins, a vein |
Ancient Greek φλέψ, φλεβ- (phleps, phlebo-), blood-vessel, vein |
Phlebography, Phlebotomy |
-phobia |
exaggerated fear, sensitivity, aversion |
Greek φόβος |
arachnophobia |
phon(o)- |
sound |
Greek φωνή |
phonograph, symphony |
phos- |
Of or pertaining to light or its chemical properties, now historic and used rarely. See the common root phot(o)- below. |
Ancient Greek φῶς, φωτ- (phōs, phōt-), light |
Phosphene |
phot(o)- |
Of or pertaining to light |
Ancient Greek φῶς, φωτ- (phōs, phōt-), light |
Photopathy |
phren(i)-, phren(o)-, phrenico |
the mind |
Greek φρήν, φρεν- |
Phrenic nerve, schizophrenia, diaphragm |
phyt- |
to grow |
|
hydrophyte |
piri- |
Pear |
Latin pirum, pear |
Piriformis muscle |
-plasia |
formation, development |
Greek πλάσις |
Achondroplasia |
-plasty |
surgical repair, reconstruction |
Greek πλαστός |
rhinoplasty |
-plegia |
paralysis |
Greek πληγή |
paraplegia |
pleio- |
more, excessive, multiple |
Greek pleion |
pleiomorphism |
pleur- |
Of or pertaining to the ribs |
Latin (pleura) from Ancient Greek πλευρόν (pleurón), rib, side of the body |
Pleurogenous |
-plexy |
stroke or seizure |
Greek πλῆξις |
Cataplexy |
pne-, pneum- |
air, breath, lung |
Ancient Greek πνεῖν (pneîn), πνεῦμα, πνεύματος (pneûma), πνεύμων (pneúmōn) |
apnea, pneumatology, pneumonocyte, pneumonia |
pod-, -pod-, -pus |
Of or pertaining to the foot, -footed |
Ancient Greek πούς, ποδ- (poús, pod-), foot |
podiatry |
-poiesis |
production |
|
hematopoiesis |
polio- |
Denoting a grey color |
Ancient Greek πολιός (poliós), "grey" |
poliomyelitis |
poly- |
Denotes a 'plurality' of something |
Ancient Greek πολυς (polys), "much, many" |
Polymyositis |
por(o)- |
pore, porous |
πόρος (póros) |
pore |
porphyr(o)- |
Denotes a purple color |
Ancient Greek πορπύρα (porphýra), purple |
Porphyroblast |
post- |
Denotes something as 'after' or 'behind' another |
Latin (post), after, behind |
Postoperation, Postmortem |
pre- |
Denotes something as 'before' another (in [physical] position or time) |
Medieval Latin (pre-) < (Classical) Latin (præ), before, in front of |
Premature birth |
presby(o)- |
old age |
Greek |
Presbyopia, presbycusis[2] |
prim- |
Denotes something as 'first' or 'most-important' |
Latin prīmus, first, most important |
Primary |
pro- |
Denotes something as 'before' another (in [physical] position or time) |
Ancient Greek προ (pro), before, in front of |
Procephalic |
proct(o)- |
anus, rectum |
|
proctology |
prosop(o)- |
face |
Greek (prosopon), face, mask |
Prosopagnosia |
prot(o)- |
Denotes something as 'first' or 'most important' |
Ancient Greek πρωτος (prōtos), first; principal, most important |
Protoneuron |
pseud(o)- |
Denotes something false or fake |
Ancient Greek |
Pseudoephedrine |
psych(e)-, psych(o) |
Of or pertaining to the mind |
Ancient Greek ψυχή (psyché), breath, life, soul |
Psychology, psychiatry |
pterygo- |
Pertaining to a wing |
Greek |
Lateral pterygoid plate |
psor- |
Itching |
|
Psoriasis |
-ptosis |
falling, drooping, downward placement, prolapse |
|
Apoptosis, nephroptosis |
-ptysis |
(a spitting), spitting, hemoptysis, the spitting of blood derived from the lungs or bronchial tubes |
|
hemoptysis |
pulmon-, pulmo- |
Of or relating to the lungs |
Latin (pulmo, pulmōn-, usually used in plural), a lung |
pulmonary |
pyel(o)- |
pelvis |
Ancient Greek (pyelos) |
Pyelonephritis |
pykno- |
to thicken (as the nucleus does in early stages of cell death) |
Greek πυκνωνω, to thicken/condense |
Pyknosis |
py(o)- |
pus |
Greek πύον |
Pyometra |
pyr(o)- |
fever |
Greek πῦρ, πυρετός |
Antipyretic |
Affix |
Meaning |
Origin language and etymology |
Example(s) |
salping(o)- |
Of or pertaining to tubes e.g. fallopian tubes |
Ancient Greek σάλπιγξ, σαλπιγγ-, (sálpinx, salpingo-) trumpet (literally) |
Salpingectomy, salpingopharyngeus muscle |
sangui-, sanguine- |
Of or pertaining to blood |
Latin (sanguis, sanguin-), blood |
Sanguine |
sarco- |
muscular, fleshlike |
Greek σάρξ, σαρκ- |
sarcoma, sarcoidosis |
schist(o)- |
split, cleft |
Greek σχιστός (schistos) |
schistocyte |
schiz(o)- |
Denoting something 'split' or 'double-sided' |
Ancient Greek σχιζω; irregular formation of the verb σχίζειν (schizein), to cut, split |
Schizophrenia |
scler(o)- |
hard |
Greek σκληρός |
Scleroderma |
-sclerosis |
hardening |
Greek σκλήρωσις |
Atherosclerosis, multiple sclerosis |
scoli(o)- |
twisted |
Greek σκολιός (skolios) |
scoliosis |
-scope |
instrument for viewing |
Greek -σκόπος |
stethoscope |
-scopy |
use of instrument for viewing |
Greek -σκοπία |
endoscopy |
scoto- |
darkness |
Greek σκότος (skotos) |
scotopic vision |
semi- |
one-half, partly |
Latin |
semiconscious |
sial(o)- |
saliva, salivary gland |
Greek σίαλος (sialos) |
sialagogue |
sigmoid(o)- |
sigmoid, S-shaped curvature |
Greek σιγμοειδής |
sigmoid colon |
sinistr(o)- |
left, left side |
Latin |
|
sinus- |
Of or pertaining to the sinus |
Latin (sinus), a curve, bend, bay |
Sinusitis |
sito- |
food, grain |
Greek σῖτος (sitos) |
Sitophobia |
somat(o)-, somatico- |
body, bodily |
Greek σῶμα (sōma) |
somatic |
-spadias |
slit, fissure |
Greek σπάδων |
hypospadias, epispadias |
spasmo- |
spasm |
Greek σπασμός |
Spasmodic dysphonia |
sperma-, spermo-, spermato- |
semen, spermatozoa |
Greek σπέρμα (sperma) |
Spermatogenesis |
splanchn(i)-, splanchn(o)- |
viscera |
Greek σπλάγχνον |
splanchnology |
splen(o)- |
spleen |
Greek σπλήν, σπλην- |
Splenectomy |
spondyl(o)- |
Of or pertaining to the spine, the vertebra |
Greek σπόνδυλος / σφόνδυλος, (spóndylos, sphóndylos), the spine |
Spondylitis |
squamos(o)- |
Denoting something as 'full of scales' or 'scaly' |
Latin sqāmōsus, full of scales; scaly |
Squamous cell |
-stalsis |
contraction |
Greek στάλσις |
Peristalsis |
-stasis |
stopping, standing |
Greek στάσις |
Cytostasis, homeostasis |
-staxis |
dripping, trickling |
Greek στάξις, στακτός |
|
sten(o)- |
Denoting something as 'narrow in shape' or pertaining to narrowness |
Ancient Greek στενός (stenos); narrow, short |
Stenography |
-stenosis |
abnormal narrowing in a blood vessel or other tubular organ or structure |
Ancient Greek στένωσις (stenōsis) |
Restenosis, stenosis |
steth(o)- |
Of or pertaining to the upper chest, chest, the area above the breast and under the neck |
Ancient Greek στῆθος (stēthos), chest, cuirass |
Stethoscope |
stheno- |
strength, force, power |
Greek σθένος |
|
stom(a) |
mouth; an artificially created opening[3] |
Greek στόμα |
|
stomat(o)- |
Of or pertaining to the mouth |
Ancient Greek στόμα, στοματ- (stóma, stomat-), mouth |
Stomatogastric, stomatognathic system |
-stomy |
creation of an opening |
Greek -στομία |
colostomy |
sub- |
beneath, under |
Latin |
subcutaneous tissue |
super- |
in excess, above, superior |
Latin |
superior vena cava |
supra- |
above, excessive |
Latin |
supraorbital vein |
sy, syl-, sym-, syn-, sys- |
Indicates similarity, likeness, or being together; assimilates before some consonants: before l to syl-, s to sys-, before a labial consonant to sym-. |
Ancient Greek συν- (syn), with, together |
Symptom, synalgia, synesthesia, syssarcosis |
Affix |
Meaning |
Origin language and etymology |
Example(s) |
tachy- |
Denoting something as fast, irregularly fast |
Ancient Greek ταχύς (tachys), fast, quickly |
Tachycardia |
-tension, -tensive |
pressure |
Latin |
Hypertension |
terato- |
Monster |
Ancient Greek teras(s) terata(pl) |
teratoma, teratogen |
tetan- |
rigid, tense |
Ancient Greek tetanos |
tetanus |
thec- |
case, sheath |
Ancient Greek θήκη (thēkē) |
Intrathecal |
thel- |
Of or pertaining to a nipple (uncommon as a prefix) |
Ancient Greek θηλή (thēlē), a teat, nipple |
Theleplasty, thelarche |
thely- |
Denoting something as 'relating to a woman, feminine' |
Ancient Greek θῆλυς (thēlys), female, feminine |
Thelygenous |
therap- |
treatment |
Ancient Greek (therapeía) |
hydrotherapy, therapeutic |
therm(o)- |
heat |
Ancient Greek θερμός (thermós) |
|
thorac(i)-, thorac(o)-, thoracico- |
Of or pertaining to the upper chest, chest; the area above the breast and under the neck |
Latin (thōrāx) < Ancient Greek θώραξ (thōrax), chest, cuirass |
thoracic, thorax |
thromb(o)- |
Of or relating to a blood clot, clotting of blood |
Ancient Greek θρόμβος (thrómbos), lump, piece, clot of blood |
Thrombus, thrombocytopenia |
thyr(o)- |
thyroid |
Greek θυρεο-ειδής |
thym- |
emotions |
Greek: "thymos", spirit, soul; courage; breath, mind, emotions |
dysthymia |
-tic |
pertaining to |
Greek -τικός |
|
toco- |
childbirth |
Greek τόκος |
|
-tome |
cutting instrument |
Greek τομή (tomē) |
|
-tomy |
act of cutting; incising, incision |
Greek -τομία |
Gastrotomy |
ton- |
tone, tension, pressure |
Greek τόνος (tonos) |
|
-tony |
tension |
Greek -τονία |
|
top(o)- |
place, topical |
Greek τόπος (topos) |
Topical anesthetic |
tort(i)- |
twisted |
Latin tortus |
Torticollis |
tox(i)-, tox(o)-, toxic(o)- |
toxin, poison |
Greek τοξικόν |
Toxoplasmosis |
trache(a)- |
trachea |
Greek τραχεία |
Tracheotomy |
trachel(o)- |
Of or pertaining to the neck |
Ancient Greek τράχηλος (tráchēlos), neck |
tracheloplasty |
trans- |
Denoting something as moving or situated across or through |
Latin trāns, "across, through" |
Transfusion |
tri- |
three |
Latin |
triangle, triceps |
trich(i)-, trichia, trich(o)- |
Of or pertaining to hair, hair-like structure |
Ancient Greek θρίξ, τριχ(ο)- (thríx, trich(o)-), hair |
Trichocyst |
-tripsy |
crushing |
Greek τρίψις |
Lithotripsy |
-trophy |
nourishment, development |
Greek -τροφία, τροφή |
Pseudohypertrophy |
tympan(o)- |
eardrum |
Greek τύμπανον |
Tympanocentesis |
This section contains lists of different root classification (e.g. body components, quantity, description, etc.). Each list is alphabetized by English meanings, with the corresponding Greek and Latin roots given.