List of medical roots,

suffixes and prefixes

This is a list of roots, suffixes, and

prefixes used in medical terminology, their
meanings, and their etymologies. Most of
them are combining forms in New Latin
and hence international scientific
vocabulary. There are a few general rules
about how they combine. First, prefixes
and suffixes, most of which are derived
from ancient Greek or classical Latin, have
a droppable -o-. As a general rule, this -o-
almost always acts as a joint-stem to
connect two consonantal roots (e.g. arthr-
+ -o- + -logy = arthrology), but generally, the
-o- is dropped when connecting to a vowel-
stem (e.g. arthr- + -itis = arthritis, instead of

arthr-o-itis). Second, medical roots

generally go together according to
language, i.e., Greek prefixes occur with
Greek suffixes and Latin prefixes with
Latin suffixes. Although international
scientific vocabulary is not stringent
about segregating combining forms of
different languages, it is advisable when
 coining new words not to mix different
lingual roots.

Prefixes and suffixes

The following is an alphabetical list of
medical prefixes and suffixes, along with
their meanings, origins, and English
examples.

A
 Affix Meaning Origin language and etymology Example(s)

not, without (alpha Greek ἀ-/ἀν- (a-/an-), not,

a-, an- analgesic, apathy
privative) without

ab- from; away from Latin abduction

of or relating to the Latin abdōmen, abdomen, fat

abdomin- abdomen, abdominal
abdomen around the belly

-ac pertaining to; one Greek -ακός (-akós) cardiac, hydrophobiac

afflicted with

acanthion, acanthocyte,
acanth- thorn or spine Greek ἄκανθα (ákantha), thorn
acanthoma, acanthulus

Greek ἀκούειν (akoúein),

of or relating to acoumeter, acoustician,
acou-[1] ἀκουστικός (akoustikós), of or
hearing hyperacusis
for hearing

Greek ἄκρον (ákron), highest or acrocrany, acromegaly,

acr- extremity, topmost
farthest point acroosteolysis, acroposthia

Greek ἀκουστικός (akoustikós),

-acusis hearing paracusis
of or for hearing

toward, in the
-ad Latin ad, toward, to dorsad, ventrad
direction of

at, increase, on,

ad- Latin ad-, to adduction
toward

adenocarcinoma,
of or relating to a Greek ἀδήν, ἀδέν-, (adḗn, adén-),
aden- adenology, adenotome,
gland an acorn; a gland
adenotyphus

of or relating to fat or
adip- Latin (adeps, adip-), fat adipocyte
fatty tissue

of or relating to the
adren- Latin ad + rēnēs, kidneys adrenal artery
adrenal glands

-aemia Greek ἀναιμία (anaimía, without

blood condition anaemia
(BrE) blood

aer(o)- air, gas Greek ἀήρ, ἀέρος (aḗr, aéros) aerosinusitis

aesthesi-
sensation Greek αἴσθησις (aísthēsis) anaesthesia
 sensation Greek αἴσθησις (aísthēsis) anaesthesia
(BrE)

-al -al pertaining to Latin -alis abdominal, femoral

denoting a white or
alb- Latin albus, white albino, tunica albica
pale color

alge(si)- pain Greek ἄλγος (álgos) analgesic

-algia,
pain Greek myalgia
alg(i)o-

all- denoting something Greek ἄλλος (állos), another, alloantigen, allopathy

as different, or as an other
addition

denoting something
as positioned on both Latin (ambi-, ambo), both, on
ambi- ambidextrous
sides; describing both both sides
of two

Pertaining to the
amnio- membranous fetal sac Greek ἄμνιον (ámnion) amniocentesis
(amnion)

amphicrania, amphismela,
amph(i)-, on both sides Greek ἀμφί (amphí)
amphomycin

starchy, carbohydrate-
amylo- Latin amylum (starch) amylase, amylophagia
related

not, without (alpha

an- Greek analgesia
privative)

ana- back, again, up Greek ἀνα- (ana-) anaplasia

an- anus Latin anal

Greek ἀνήρ, ἀνδρ- (anḗr, andr-), android, andrology,

andr- pertaining to a man
male androgen

angi- blood vessel Greek ἀγγεῖον (angeîon) angiogram, angioplasty

describing something
aniso- Greek ἄνῑσος (ánīsos), unequal anisocytosis, anisotropic
as unequal

ankyl-, denoting something Greek ἀγκύλος (ankúlos),

ankylosis
ancyl- as crooked or bent crooked, curved
 describing something
ante- as positioned in front Latin (āntē), before, in front of antepartum
of another thing

describing something
anti- as 'against' or Greek αντι (anti), against antibody, antipsychotic
'opposed to' another

apo- away, separated from, Greek ἀπό (apó) apoptosis

derived from

archi- first, primitive Greek ἀρχι- (arkhi-) archinephron

of or pertaining to a
arsen(o)- Greek (αρσενικός (arsenikós) arsenoblast
male; masculine

Greek ἀρτηρία (artēría), a wind-

of or pertaining to an
arteri(o)- pipe, artery (used distinctly arteriole, artery
artery
versus a vein)

of or pertaining to the Greek ἄρθρον (árthron), a joint,

arthr- arthritis
joints, limbs limb

articul- joint Latin articulus Articulation

-ary pertaining to Latin -arius biliary tract, coronary

from Greek διάστασις (δια-

-ase enzyme (dia-, part, apart) + στάσις Lactase
(stásis, stand)), division

-asthenia weakness Greek ἀσθένεια (asthéneia) Myasthenia gravis

imperfect or
Greek ἀτελής (atelḗs), without
atel(o)- incomplete atelocardia
end, incomplete
development

fatty deposit, soft

ather- ἀθάρη (athárē) Atherosclerosis
gruel-like deposit

-ation process Latin medication

an atrium (esp. heart

atri- Latin atrioventricular
atrium)

of or pertaining to the
aur- Latin (auris), the ear Aural
ear

Greek αὐτός αὐτο (autós

 Greek αὐτός, αὐτο- (autós,
aut- self Autoimmune
auto-)

Greek αὐξάνω, αὔξω (auxánō, Auxocardia: enlargement of

aux(o)- increase; growth
aúxō) the heart, auxology

of or pertaining to the
axill- armpit (uncommon as Latin (axilla), armpit Axilla
a prefix)

azo(to)- nitrogenous French azote, nitrogen; from azothermia: raised

compound Greek άζωτικός (ázōtikós) ἀ- temperature due to
(a-, no, without) + ζωή (zōḗ, nitrogenous substances in
life)), mephitic air blood

B
 Origin language and
Affix Meaning Example(s)
etymology

bacillus rod-shaped Latin baculus, stick Bacillus anthracis

Latin (bacterium; Greek

bacteri- Pertaining to bacteria βακτήριον (baktḗrion), small bacteriophage, bactericide
staff

balan- of the glans penis or Greek βάλανος (bálanos), balanitis

glans clitoridis acorn, glans

of or pertaining to Greek βάσις ({grc-transl|

bas- basolateral
base βάσις}}), foundation, base

bi- twice, double Latin bi- binary vision

bio- life Greek βίος (bíos) biology

blast- germ or bud Greek βλαστός (blastós) blastomere

of or pertaining to the Greek βλέφαρον (blépharon),

blephar(o)- blepharoplasty
eyelid eyelid

of or relating to the Latin (bracchium), from Greek brachium of inferior

brachi(o)-
arm βραχίων (brakhíōn), arm colliculus

Indicating 'short' or Greek βραχύς (brakhús), short,

brachy- brachycephalic
less commonly 'little' little, shallow

brady- 'slow' Greek βραδύς (bradús), slow bradycardia

of or relating to the Latin (bronchus); Greek bronchitis, bronchiolitis

bronch(i)-
bronchus βρόγχος (brónkhos), windpipe obliterans

of or pertaining to the
bucc(o)- Latin bucca, cheek buccolabial
cheek

bursa (fluid sac Latin (bursa), purse; Greek

burs(o)- bursa, bursitis
between the bones) βύρσα (búrsa), hide, wine-skin

C
 Origin language and
Affix Meaning Example(s)
etymology

of or pertaining to
capill- Latin capillus, hair capillus
hair

pertaining to the
capit- Latin caput, capit-, the head capitation
head as a whole

carcin- cancer Greek καρκίνος (karkínos), carcinoma

crab

of or pertaining to
cardi- Greek καρδία (kardía), heart cardiology
the heart

Latin (carpus) < Greek καρπός

(karpós), wrist; NOTE: This
of or pertaining to
carp- root should not be confused carpopedal spasm
the wrist
with the mirror root carp(o)-
meaning fruit.

cata- down, under Greek κατά (katá) cataract, catabolism

-cele pouching, hernia Greek κήλη (kḗlē) Hydrocele, Varicocele

surgical puncture for

-centesis Greek κέντησις (kéntēsis) amniocentesis
aspiration

of or pertaining to Greek κεφαλή (kephalḗ), the

cephal(o)- cephalalgy, hydrocephalus
the head (as a whole) head

of or pertaining to Greek κέρας, κερατ- (kéras,

cerat(o)- ceratoid
the cornu; a horn kerat-), a horn

of or pertaining to
cerebell(o)- Latin cerebellum, little brain cerebellum
the cerebellum

cerebr- of or pertaining to
Latin cerebrum, brain cerebrology
cerebr- the brain

of or pertaining to Latin cervix, cervīc-), neck, cervicodorsal, cervical

cervic-
the neck or the cervix cervix vertebrae

of or pertaining to Greek χεῖλος (kheîlos), lip,

cheil- angular cheilitis
the lips mouth, beak

chem- chemistry, drug Greek χημεία (khēmeía) chemotherapy

 of or pertaining to Greek χείρ, χειρο- (kheír,
chir-, cheir- chiropractor
the hand kheiro-), hand

denoting a green Greek χλωρός (khlōrós),

chlor- chlorophyll
color green, yellow-green

of or pertaining to cholaemia (UK) / cholemia

chol(e)- Greek χολή (kholḗ), bile
bile (US), cholecystitis

cholecyst(o)- of or pertaining to Greek χοληκύστις cholecystectomy

the gallbladder (kholēkústis), gallbladder <

χολή (kholḗ), bile, gall +
κύστις (kústis), bladder

cartilage, gristle,
chondr(i)o- Greek χονδρός (grc) chondrocalcinosis
granule, granular

chrom(ato)- color Greek χρῶμα (khrôma) hemochromatosis

-cidal, -cide killing, destroying Latin -cīda, cutter, killer bacteriocidal

of or pertaining to
cili- the cilia, the Latin cilium, eyelash; eyelid ciliary
eyelashes; eyelids

denoting something
circum- Latin circum, around circumcision
as 'around' another

cis- on this side Latin cis cisgender

Greek κλαστός (klastós),

clast break osteoclast
broken

Greek κλωστήρ (klōstḗr),

clostr- spindle Clostridium
spindle, thread

with, together, in
co- Latin co- coenzymes
association

Greek κόκκος (kókkos), berry,

coccus round, spherical Streptococcus
seed

col-, colo-,
colon Greek κόλον (kólon) colonoscopy
colono-

of or pertaining to Greek κόλπος (kólpos),

colp(o)- colposcopy
the vagina bosom, womb; hollow, depth
com- with, together Latin cum

contra against Latin contrā contraindication

cor- with, together Latin cor- corrective

of or pertaining to Greek κόρη (kórē), girl, doll;

cor- corectomy
the eye's pupil pupil of the eye

cord(i)- of or pertaining to Latin cor, heart commotio cordis

the heart (uncommon
as a prefix)

applied to describing
processes and parts
cornu- of the body as Latin cornū, horn greater cornu
likened or similar to
horns

pertaining to the
coron(o)- Latin corōna coronary heart disease
heart

cortic(o)- cortex, outer region Latin cortex, bark of a tree corticosteroid

of or pertaining to
cost- Latin costa, rib costochondral
the ribs

of or relating to the
cox- hip, haunch, or hip- Latin coxa, hip coxopodite
joint

Latin cranium, from Greek

belonging or relating κρᾱνίον (krāníon), cranium,
crani(o)- craniology
to the cranium skull, bones enclosing the
brain

-crine, Greek κρίνω (krínō), separate,

to secrete endocrine
crin(o) divide, discern

Greek κρύος (krúos), cold,

cry(o)- cold cryoablation
frost

cutane- skin Latin cutis subcutaneous

Greek κύανος, κυάνεος

cyan(o)- having a blue color (kúanos, kuáneos, blue, of the cyanopsia
color blue
 color blue

cycl- circle, cycle Greek κύκλος (kúklos) cyclosis

denotes something
Greek κυφός (kuphós), bent,
cyph(o)- as bent (uncommon cyphosis
hunchback
as a prefix)

cyst(o)-, of or pertaining to Greek κύστις (kústis), bladder,

cystotomy
cyst(i)- the urinary bladder cyst

cyt(o)-, -cyte cell Greek κύτος (kútos), a hollow, cytokine, leukocyte

vessel

D
 Origin language and
Affix Meaning Example(s)
etymology

of or pertaining to dacryoadenitis,
dacry(o)- Greek δάκρυ, tear
tears dacryocystitis

of or pertaining to a Greek δάκτυλος (dáktulos),

-dactyl(o)- dactylology, polydactyly
finger, toe finger, toe

de- from, down, or away Latin de- dehydrate

from

of or pertaining to
dent- Latin dens, dentis, tooth dentist
teeth

Greek δέρμα, δέρματος

dermat(o)-, of or pertaining to the dermatology, epidermis,
(dérma, dérmatos), skin, human
derm(o)- skin hypodermic, xeroderma
skin

-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 dis- dilation, distal

through, during, Greek διά (diá), through, during,

dia- dialysis
across across

dif- apart, separation Latin dif- different

of or pertaining to the
digit- Latin digitus, finger, toe digit
finger [rare as a root]

diplo- twofold Greek διπλόος (diplóos) diploid, diplosis

dipsomania, hydroadipsia,
-dipsia (condition of) thirst Greek δίψα (dípsa)
oligodipsia, polydipsia

separation, taking
dis- Latin dis- dissection
apart

dors(o)-, of or pertaining to the

Latin dorsum, back dorsal, dorsocephalad
dors(i)- back

running, conduction,
dromo- Greek δρόμος (drómos) dromotropic, syndrome
course
 duodenal atresia,
duodeno- twelve Latin duodeni
duodenum

dura- hard Latin durus dura mater

hand strength
dynam(o)- force, energy, power Greek δύναμις (dúnamis)
dynamometer

-dynia pain Greek ὀδύνη (odúnē) vulvodynia

dys- bad, difficult, Greek δυσ- (dus-) dysentery, dysphagia,

defective, abnormal dysphasia

E
 Origin language and
Affix Meaning Example(s)
etymology

adenohypophyseal,
-eal (see -al) pertaining to English -al, from Latin -ālis corneal, esophageal,
perineal

ec- out, away Greek ἐκ (ek), out of, from ectopia, ectopic pregnancy

ect(o)- outer, outside Greek ἐκτός (ektós) ectoblast, ectoderm

-ectasia, - expansion, dilation Greek ἔκτασις (éktasis) bronchiectasis,

ectasis telangiectasia

denotes a surgical
operation or removal Greek ἐκτομή (ektomḗ),
-ectomy mastectomy
of a body part; excision
resection, excision

-emesis vomiting condition Greek ἕμεσις (hémesis) hematemesis

blood condition (Am.

-emia Greek αἷμα (haîma), "blood" anemia
Engl.)

of or pertaining to
Greek ἐγκέφαλος
encephal(o)- the brain; see also encephalogram
(enképhalos), the brain
cerebro-

denotes something Greek ἔνδον (éndon), inside,

endo- endocrinology, endospore
as inside or within internal

Greek ἠώς (ēṓs), dawn,

daybreak, morning red,
eosin(o)- having a red color eosinophil granulocyte
goddess of the dawn (Ἠώς,
Ēṓs)

of or pertaining to Greek ἔντερον (énteron),

enter(o)- gastroenterology
the intestine intestine

epicardium, epidermis,
Greek ἐπι- (epi-), before, upon,
epi- on, upon epidural, episclera,
on, outside, outside of
epistaxis

of or pertaining to
Greek ἐπίσιον (epísion), the
episi(o)- the pubic region, the episiotomy
pubic area, loins; vulva
loins
erythr(o)- having a red color Greek ἐρυθρός (eruthrós), red erythrocyte

-
Greek οἰσοφάγος
esophageal, gullet (AmE) esophagus
(oisophágos)
-esophago-

Greek αἴσθησις (aísthēsis), to esthesioneuroblastoma,

esthesio- sensation (AmE)
perceive esthesia

eu- true, good, well, new εὖ (eû) eukaryote

ex- out of, away from Latin ex- excision

denotes something Greek ἔξω (éxō), outside of,

exo- exophthalmos, exoskeleton
as "outside" another external

extra- outside Latin extra, outside of, beyond extradural hematoma

F
 Affix Meaning Origin language and etymology Example(s)

of or pertaining to the Latin faciēs, the face,

faci- facioplegic
face countenance

Latin fibra, fiber, filament, fibril, fibrin, fibrinous

fibr- fiber
entrails[2] pericarditis, fibroblast

fil- fine, hair-like Latin fīlum, thread filament, filum terminale

foramen hole, opening, or Latin forāmen foramen magnum

aperture, particularly in
bone

used to form
cruciform, cuneiform,
-form adjectives indicating Latin fōrma, form, shape
falciform
"having the form of"

Old English fōr(e)-, before, in

fore- before or ahead foregut
front of

a hollow or depressed
fossa area; a trench or Latin fossa, ditch, pit fossa ovalis
channel

of or pertaining to the
front- Latin frōns, front-, the forehead frontonasal
forehead

G
 Affix Meaning Origin language and etymology Example(s)

Greek γάλα, γαλακτ- (gála,

galact(o)- milk galactorrhea, galaxy
galakt-

of or pertaining to the Greek γαστήρ, γαστρ- (gastḗr,

gastr(o)- gastric bypass
stomach gastr-), stomach, belly

*born in, from Greek -γενής (-genḗs), from γεν- *endogen

-gen
of a certain kind νάειν (gen-náein), to be born heterogenous

-genic formative; pertaining Greek -γενής (-genḗs) cardiogenic shock

to producing

of or pertaining to the
genu- Latin genū, knee genu valgum
knee

ageusia, dysgeusia,
-geusia taste Greek γεῦσις (geûsis) hypergeusia, hypogeusia,
parageusia

of or pertaining to the
gingiv- Latin gingīva, gum gingivitis
gums

Having a grey or Greek γλαυκός (glaukós), grey,

glauc(o)- glaucoma
bluish-grey colour bluish-grey

gloss(o)-, of or pertaining to the Greek γλῶσσα, γλῶττα (glôssa,

glossology
glott(o)- tongue glôtta), tongue

gluco- sweet Greek γλυκύς (glukús), sweet glucocorticoid

glyc(o)- sugar Greek γλυκύς (glukús), sweet glycolysis

of or pertaining to the
gnath(o)- Greek γνάθος (gnáthos), jaw gnathodynamometer
jaw

Greek γνῶσις (gnôsis), inquiry,

-gnosis knowledge diagnosis, prognosis
knowledge

seed, semen; Greek γόνος (gónos), fruit, seed,

gon(o)- gonorrhea
reproductive procreating

-gram, - Greek γράμμα (grámma),

record or picture angiogram
gramme picture, letter, writing

Greek -γραφία (-graphía),

instrument used to
-graph written, drawn, graphic electrocardiograph
record data or picture
 record data or picture
interpretation

Greek -γραφία (-graphía),

-graphy process of recording written, drawn, graphic angiography
interpretation

gyno-, woman Greek γυνή, γυναικ (gunḗ, gynecomastia

gynaeco- gunaik)
(BrE),

gyneco-
(AmE)

H
 Affix Meaning Origin language and etymology Example(s)

Latin ālūcinor, to wander in

halluc- to wander in mind hallucinosis
mind

hemat-,
haemato- of or pertaining to Latin hæma, from Greek αἷμα, hematology, older form
(haem-, blood αἱματ- (grc), blood haematology
hem-)

hema- or blood (AmE) Greek αἷμα, (grc), blood hemal, hemoglobin

hemo-

hemangi
Greek αἷμα, (grc), blood, +
or blood vessels hemangioma
ἀγγεῖον (angeîon), vessel, urn
hemangio-

hemi- one-half Greek ἡμι- (hēmi-), half cerebral hemisphere

hepat- of or pertaining to the Greek ἧπαρ, ἠπᾰτ- (hêpar,

hepatology, hepatitis
(hepatic-) liver ēpat-), the liver

denotes something
Greek ἕτερος (héteros), the
as "the other" (of
heter(o)- other (of two), another; heterogeneous
two), as an addition,
different
or different

Greek ἱδρώς, ἱδρωτ- (hidrṓs,

hidr(o)- sweat hyperhidrosis
hidrōt-), sweat, perspiration

hist(o)-, Greek ἱστός (histós), web,

tissue histology
histio- tissue

Greek ὅμοιος (homoios), like,

home(o)- similar homeopathy
resembling, similar

denotes something
Greek ὁμός (homós), the same, homosexuality,
hom(o)- as "the same" as
common homozygote
another or common

of or pertaining to the
humer(o)- shoulder (or [rarely] Latin umerus, shoulder humerus
the upper arm)

hydr(o)- water Greek ὕδωρ (húdōr), water hydrophobe

b d G k ὑ έ (h é) h i
 extreme or beyond Greek ὑπέρ (hupér), over, hypertension,
hyper-
normal above; beyond, to the extreme hypertrichosis

Greek ὑπό, ὑπο- (hupó), below,

hyp(o)- below normal hypovolemia, hypoxia
under

of or pertaining to the
hyster(o)- Greek ὑστέρα (hustéra), womb hysterectomy, hysteria
womb or the uterus

I
 Affix Meaning Origin language and etymology Example(s)

Latin -iasis, pathological

condition, formation, condition or process; from
-iasis mydriasis
or presence of Greek ἴασις (íasis), cure, repair,
mend

iatr(o)- of or pertaining to Greek ἰατρός (iatrós), healer, iatrochemistry,

medicine or a physician iatrogenesis

physician (uncommon
as a prefix but common
as a suffix; see -iatry)

denotes a field in
-iatry - medicine emphasizing Greek ἰατρός (iatrós), healer,
podiatry, psychiatry
iatry a certain body physician
component

-ic pertaining to Greek -ικός (-ikós) hepatic artery

Latin -icus, collection of related

organized knowledge, things, theme; cognate with
-ics obstetrics
treatment Greek -ικός (ikós), of, pertaining
to

idio- self, one's own Greek ἴδιος (ídios), one's own idiopathic

Greek εἰλεός (eileós), to shut in,

ileo- ileum ileocecal valve
intestinal obstruction

infra- below Latin īnfrā, below infrahyoid muscles

inter- between, among Latin inter interarticular ligament

intra- within Latin intrā intramural

ipsi- same Latin ipsi- ipsilateral

of or pertaining to the Latin īrīs, rainbow; from Greek

irid(o)- iridectomy
iris ἶρις (îris), rainbow

Greek ἴσχω (ískhō), hold back,

isch- restriction ischemia
restrain

of or pertaining to the Greek ἰσχίον (iskhíon), hip-joint,

ischio- ischioanal fossa
ischium, the hip-joint ischium
 Greek -ισμός (-ismós), suffix
-ism condition, disease forming abstract nouns of state, dwarfism
condition, doctrine

-ismus spasm, contraction Greek -ισμός hemiballismus

denoting something as
iso- Greek ἴσος (ísos), equal isotonic
being equal

-ist one who specializes in Greek -ιστής (-istḗs), agent pathologist

noun, one who practices

the nature of, Latin -ītēs, those belonging to,

-ite dendrite
resembling from Greek -ίτης (-ítēs)

Greek -ῖτις (-îtis) fem. form of

-ίτης (-ítēs), pertaining to,
because it was used with the
-itis inflammation feminine noun νόσος (nósos, tonsillitis
disease), thus -îtis nósos,
disease of the, disease
pertaining to

Latin -ium, aggregation or mass

-ium structure, tissue pericardium
of (such as tissue)

J–K
 Affix Meaning Origin language and etymology Example(s)

juxta Near to, alongside or

Latin iuxta juxtaglomerular apparatus
(iuxta) next to

kal- potassium New Latin kalium, potassium hyperkalemia

kary-[3] nucleus Greek κάρυον (káruon), nut eukaryote

kerat-[4] cornea (eye or skin) Greek κέρας (kéras), horn keratoscope

kine-[5] movement Greek κινέω (kinéō), to move, to akinetopsia, kinesthesia

change

koil-[6] hollow Greek κοῖλος (koîlos) koilocyte

Greek κυφός (kuphós), bent

kyph-[7] humped kyphoscoliosis
forward, stooping, hunchbacked

L
 Affix Meaning Origin language and etymology Example(s)

of or pertaining to the
labi- Latin labia, labium, lip labiodental
lip

lacrim(o)- tear Latin lacrima, tear from crying Lacrimal canaliculi

lact(i)-,
milk Latin lac, milk lactation
lact(o)

lapar(o)- of or pertaining to the Greek λαπάρα (lapára), flank laparotomy

abdominal wall, flank

of or pertaining to the
larynx, the lower ́ υγξ, (lárunx), throat,
Greek λᾰρ
laryng(o)- larynx
throat cavity where gullet
the voice box is

Latin laterālis, lateral, of or

latero- lateral lateral pectoral nerve
belonging to the side

lei(o)- smooth Greek λεῖος (leîos), smooth leiomyoma

-lepsis, -
attack, seizure Greek λῆψις (lêpsis), seizure epilepsy, narcolepsy
lepsy

lept(o)- light, slender Greek λεπτός (leptós), thin, lean leptomeningeal

leuc(o)-, Greek λευκός (leukós), white,

denoting a white color leukocyte
leuk(o)- bright, pale

lingu(a)-, of or pertaining to the Latin lingua, tongue, speech,

linguistics
lingu(o)- tongue language

lip(o)- fat Greek λίπος (lípos), fat, lard liposuction

liss(os)- smooth Greek Λισσός (Lissós), smooth lissencephaly

lith(o)- stone, calculus Greek λῐθ́ ος (líthos) lithotripsy

log(o)- speech Greek λόγος (lógos) dialog, catalog, logos

denotes someone
who studies a certain Greek λογιστής (logistḗs),
-logist field (the field of _____- studier, practitioner (lit., oncologist, pathologist
logy); a specialist; one accountant)
who treats

denotes the academic

 study or practice of a Greek -λογῐᾱ́ (-logíā) base noun
-logy hematology, urology
certain field; the study for the study of something
of

of or relating to the
lumb(o)-, part of the trunk
Latin lumbus or lumbaris, loin lumbar vertebrae
lumb(a)- between the lowest
ribs and the pelvis.

lymph(o)- lymph Latin lympha, water lymphedema

lys(o)-, - Greek λῠ́σῐς (lúsis), loosen,

dissolution lysosome
lytic release, + -ic

destruction, Greek λῠ́σῐς (lúsis), loosen,

-lysis paralysis
separation release

M
 Origin language and
Affix Meaning Example(s)
etymology

Greek μᾰκρός (makrós), long,

macr(o)- large, long macrophage
tall

Greek μαλακία (malakía), soft,

-malacia softening osteomalacia
weak, self-indulgent

mamm(o)- of or pertaining to the Latin mamma, breast, udder mammogram

breast

of or pertaining to the mammillaplasty,

mammill(o)- Latin mammilla, nipple
nipple mammillitis

of or pertaining to the
manu- Latin manus, hand manufacture
hand

Greek μαστός (mastós),

of or pertaining to the
mast(o)- breast, woman's breast, man's mastectomy
breast
pectoral muscle

meg(a)-,
Greek μέγᾰς (mégas), big,
megal(o)-, - enlargement, million splenomegaly, megameter
large, great, mighty
megaly

Greek μέλᾱς, μελανο- (mélās,

melan(o)- having a black color melanin
melano-), black, dark

Greek μέλος (mélos), part of a

melos extremity erythromelalgia
body, limb, member

mening(o)- membrane Greek μῆνῐγξ (mêninx) meningitis

month, menstrual
men- Greek μήν (mḗn), month menopause, menorrhagia
cycle

Greek μέρος (méros), part,

mer- part merocrine, meroblastic
component, region

Greek μέσος (mésos), middle,

mes- middle mesoderm
between, half

Greek μετᾰ́ (metá), with, metacarpal, metacarpus,

after, beside, beyond
met, meta- among, along with, in metacromion,
or change
common with metanephros, metatheria
 Greek μέτρον (métron),
instrument used to sphygmomanometer,
-meter measure or property,
measure or count thermometer
something used to measure

process of
-metry measuring, -meter + - Greek μέτρον (métron) optometry
y (see -meter)

metr- pertaining to Greek μήτρᾱ (mḗtrā), womb, metrorrhagia

conditions or uterus
instruments of the
uterus

millionth; denoting
micr- something as small, Greek μῑκρός (mīkrós), small microscope
relating to smallness

milli- thousandth Latin mille, thousand milliliter

mon- single Greek μονός (monós) infectious mononucleosis

morph- form, shape Greek μορφή (morphḗ) morphology

Latin mūsculus, muscle (lit.

mouse-like, due to mouse-
shaped appearance of some
muscul(o)- muscle musculoskeletal system
muscles; loanword from Greek
μῦς (mûs), mouse, + Latin -
culus, diminutive suffix)

of or relating to Greek μῦς, μυ- (mûs, mu-),

my(o)- myoblast
muscle muscle, mouse, mussel

myc(o)- fungus Greek μύκης, μυκητ- onychomycosis

of or relating to bone
Greek μυελός (muelós),
myel(o)- marrow or the spinal myelin sheath, myeloblast
marrow, bone-marrow
cord

of or relating to molar Greek μῠ́λη (múlē, mill, grind,

myl(o)- mylohyoid nerve
teeth or the lower jaw molars

Greek μῡρῐό ς (mūríos),

myri- ten thousand innumerable, countless, myriad
infinite

i ( ) d L i i d i
myring(o)- eardrum Latin myringa, eardrum myringotomy

Greek μύξᾰ (múxa), mucus,

myx(o)- mucus myxoma
nasal discharge

N
Affix Meaning Origin language and etymology Example(s)

nan(o)- dwarf, small Greek νᾶνος (nânos), dwarf nanogram, nanosecond

Greek νάρκη (nárkē), numbess,

narc(o)- numb, sleep narcolepsy
torpor

of or pertaining to the
nas(o)- Latin nāsus, nose nasal
nose

Greek νεκρός (nekrós), dead necrosis, necrotizing

necr(o)- death
body, corpse, dying person fasciitis

Greek νέος (néos), young,

neo- new neoplasm
youthful, new, fresh

of or pertaining to the
nephr(o)- Greek νεφρός (nephrós), kidney nephrology
kidney

of or pertaining to
nerves and the
Latin nervus, tendon, nerve;
nervous system
nerv- cognate with Greek νεῦρον nerve, nervous system
(uncommon as a root:
(neûron), tendon, string, nerve
neuro- mostly always
used)

of or pertaining to
neur(i)-, Greek νεῦρον (neûron), tendon,
nerves and the neurofibromatosis
neur(o)- sinew, nerve
nervous system

noci- pain, injury, hurt Latin noceō nociception

Latin nōrma, norm or standard;

normo- normal normocapnia
lit. carpenter's square
O
 Origin language and
Affix Meaning Example(s)
etymology

of or pertaining to the
ocul(o)- Latin oculus, the eye Oculist
eye

of or pertaining to Greek ὀδούς, ὀδοντ- (odoús,

odont(o)- orthodontist
teeth odont-, tooth

odyn(o)- pain Greek ὀδύνη (odúnē) stomatodynia

- gullet Greek οἰσοφᾰγ́ ος oesophagus

oesophageal, (oisophágos)
oesophago-
(BrE)

Greek -ειδής (-eidḗs), like,

-oid resemblance to Sarcoidosis
connected to, pertaining to

Latin -olus, suffix to form a

ole small or little arteriole
diminutive of the noun

having little, having

olig(o)- Greek ὀλῐγ́ ος (olígos), few oligotrophy
few

om(o)- shoulder Greek ὦμος (ômos), shoulder omoplate

Greek -μα (-ma), suffix added

-oma
to verbs to form nouns
(singular), - tumor, mass, fluid sarcoma, teratoma,
indicating the result of a
omata collection mesothelioma
process or action; cf. English -
(plural)
tion

of or pertaining to the Greek ὀμφαλός (omphalós),

omphal(o)- omphalotomy
navel, the umbilicus navel, belly-button

onco- tumor, bulk, volume Greek ὄγκος (ónkos) oncology

-one hormone

of or pertaining to the
Greek ὄνυξ, ὀνυχο- (ónux,
onych(o)- nail (of a finger or onychophagy
onukho-), nail; claw; talon
toe)

of or pertaining to an
Greek ᾠόν, ᾠο- (ōión, ōio-),
oo- (egg), a woman's egg, oogenesis
egg, ovum
the ovum
 the ovum

Neoclassical Greek ᾠοφόρον

of or pertaining to the
oophor(o)- (ōiophóron), ovary, egg- oophorectomy
woman's (ovary)
bearing

of or pertaining to the Greek ὀφθαλμός

ophthalm(o)- ophthalmology
(eye) (ophthalmós), the eye

Greek ὄπῐσθεν (ópisthen),

opistho- back, behind, rear[8] opisthotonus
behind, at the back

-opsy examination or Greek ὄψῐς (ópsis), view biopsy, autopsy

inspection

Middle French optique; from

of or relating to
Greek ὀπτῐκός (optikós);
optic(o)- chemical properties opticochemical, biopsy
cognate with Latin oculus,
of the eye
relating to the eye

of or pertaining to the
or(o)- Latin ōs, ōris, mouth oral
mouth

generally appended where

one who, agent Latin would do it—to the root
-or doctor
noun–forming suffix of a Latin-type perfect passive
participle. Cf. -er

orchi(o)-,
Greek ὄρχις (órkhis), testicle, orchiectomy,
orchid(o)-, testis
ovary orchidectomy
orch(o)-

denoting something Greek ὀρθός (orthós), straight,

orth(o)- orthodontist
as straight or correct correct, normal

a condition, disease Greek -ωσις (-ōsis), state, Harlequin type ichthyosis,

-osis
or increase abnormal condition, action psychosis, osteoporosis

peripheral ossifying
ossi-, osse- bone, bony Latin os, bone
fibroma, osseous

ost(e)-, osteoporosis,
bone Greek ὀστέον (ostéon), bone
oste(o)- osteoarthritis

of or pertaining to the Greek οὖς, ὠτ- (oûs, ōt-), the

ot(o)- otology
ear ear

-ous pertaining to Latin -ōsus full of prone to porous

-ous pertaining to Latin ōsus, full of, prone to porous

of or pertaining to the
ovari(o)- Latin ōvarium, ovary ovariectomy
ovaries

ovo-, ovi-, of or pertaining to the

Latin (ōvum), egg, ovum ovogenesis
ov- eggs, the ovum

oxo- addition of oxygen

oxy- sharp, acid, acute; borrowed from French oxytocin, oxygenated,

oxygen oxygène (originally principe oxycodone
oxigine, 'acidifying principle',
referring to oxygen's role in
the formation of acids, from
Greek ὀξύς (oxús), sharp,
pointed + γένος (génos), birth)

P
 Origin language and
Affix Meaning Example(s)
etymology

Greek πᾰχῠ́ς (pakhús), thick,

pachy- thick pachyderma
large, stout

of or pertaining to the
palpebr- eyelid (uncommon as Latin palpebra, eyelid palpebra
a root)

pan-, denoting something Greek πᾶς, παν- (pâs, pan-), all, panophobia, panopticon,
pant(o)- as 'complete' or every pancytopenia (deficiency
containing in all blood cell types -
'everything'; "all" erythrocytes, leukocytes,
thrombocytes)[9]

of or pertaining to the
Latin papilla, nipple; diminutive
papill- nipple (of the papillitis
of papula (see below)
chest/breast)

Indicates papulosity,
Latin papula, pimple, pustle; a
a small elevation or
papul(o)- small elevation or swelling in papulation
swelling in the skin, a
the skin
pimple, swelling

para- alongside of Greek πᾰρᾰ́ (pará) paracyesis

-paresis slight paralysis Greek πάρεσις (páresis) hemiparesis

Latin parvus, small, little,

parvo- small Parvovirus
unimportant
́ ος (páthos), pain,
Greek πᾰθ
path(o)- disease Pathology
suffering, condition

denotes (with a
́ ος (páthos),
Greek πᾰθ
-pathy negative sense) a sociopathy, neuropathy
suffering, accident
disease, or disorder

pauci- Few Latin paucus Pauci-immune

pectoralgia, pectoriloquy,
pector- breast or chest Latin pectus
pectorophony

ped-, -ped-, of or pertaining to the

Latin pēs, pēd-, foot Pedoscope
-pes foot; -footed
-pes foot; footed

of or pertaining to the Greek παῖς, παιδός (paîs,

ped-, pedo- pediatrics. pedophilia
child paidós), child

pelv(i)-,
hip bone Latin pelvis, basin Pelvis
pelv(o)-

Greek πενῐᾱ́ , poverty,

-penia deficiency osteopenia
indigence

peo- of or pertaining to the Greek πέος (péos) Peotomy

penis

denotes something Greek πεπτός (peptós),

-pepsia relating to digestion, cooked, digested < πέσσω dyspepsia
or the digestive tract. (péssō), I boil, cook; digest

per- through Latin per, through, by means of percutaneous

denoting something
with a position Greek περῐ ́ (perí), around,
peri- periodontal
'surrounding' or about, concerning
'around' another

Greek πῆξις (pêxis), fixing in

-pexy fixation nephropexy
place, fastening

Greek φᾰκός (phakós), lentil- phacolysis, phacometer,

phaco- lens-shaped
bean phacoscotoma

Forms terms
-phagia, - denoting conditions Greek φαγία (phagía) eating <
Sarcophagia
phage relating to eating or φᾰγεῖν (phageîn), to eat
ingestion

Greek -φᾰγ́ ος (-phágos), eater

-phago- eating, devouring phagocyte
of, eating

Forms nouns that

denote a person who
Greek φαγιστής (phagistḗs)
phagist- 'feeds on' the first Lotophagi
eater; see -phagia
element or part of the
word

Forms nouns that

denotes 'feeding on' Greek φαγία (phagia) eating;
h h t h
 g φ γ (p g ) g
-phagy hematophagy
the first element or see -phagia
part of the word

phall- phallus Greek φαλλός (phallós), penis Aphallia

pharmac- drug, medication Greek φάρμᾰκον (phármakon) pharmacology

́ ῠγξ, φαρυγγ-
of or pertaining to the Greek φᾰρ
pharyngitis,
pharyng- pharynx, the upper (phárunx, pharung-), throat,
pharyngoscopy
throat cavity windpipe; chasm

-phil(ia) attraction for Greek φῐλῐᾱ́ (philíā), friendship, hemophilia

love, affection

of or pertaining to the Greek φλέψ, φλεβ- (phléps,

phleb- phlebography, phlebotomy
(blood) veins, a vein phleb-), blood-vessel, vein

exaggerated fear, Greek φόβος (phóbos), terror,

-phobia arachnophobia
sensitivity, aversion fear, flight, panic

phon- sound Greek φωνή (phōnḗ) phonograph, symphony

of or pertaining to
light or its chemical
properties, now
́ ς, φωτ- (phôs,
Greek φῶς, φᾰο
phos- historic and used phosphene
pháos), light
rarely. See the
common root phot-
below.

of or pertaining to Greek φωτω- (phōtō-), < φῶς

phot- photopathy
light (phôs), light

phren-, Greek φρήν (phrḗn), intellect, phrenic nerve,

the mind
phrenic- wits, mind schizophrenia

Greek φῠ́λλον (phúllon), leaf, phyllodes tumour,

phyllo- leaf-like
foliage, plant phyllotaxis

-phyte, Greek φῠτόν (phutón), plant,

to grow hydrophyte
phyto- tree

Medieval Latin pia mater,

pia soft tender mother, from Latin pia, pia mater
pius, pious, dutiful, good

Latin pirum cognate with

 Latin pirum, cognate with
piri- Pear Piriformis muscle
Greek ἄπιον (ápion), pear

formation, ́ ῐς (plásis),
Greek πλᾰσ
-plasia Achondroplasia
development moulding, conformation

surgical repair, Greek πλαστός (plastós),

-plasty rhinoplasty
reconstruction molded, formed

-plegia paralysis Greek πληγή (plēgḗ), stroke paraplegia

(from a sword), from πληγή

(plēgḗ), to strike or smite

more, excessive,
pleio- Greek πλεῖον (pleîon), more pleiomorphism
multiple

of or pertaining to the Greek πλευρᾱ́ (pleurā)́ , rib,

pleur- Pleurogenous
ribs side of the body

Greek πλήσσω, πλήσσειν

-plexy stroke or seizure (plḗssō, plḗssein), to strike or Cataplexy
smite

Greek πνεῖν (pneîn), πνεῦμα,

apnea, pneumatology,
pne-, πνεύματος (pneûma,
air, breath, lung pneumonocyte,
pneum- pneúmatos), πνεύμων
pneumonia
(pneúmōn)

pod-, -pod-, of or pertaining to the Greek πούς, ποδ- (poús, pod-),

podiatry
-pus foot, -footed foot

Greek ποίησις (poíēsis),

-poiesis production hematopoiesis
poetry, poem, creation

Greek πολῐός (poliós), grey,

polio- having a grey color poliomyelitis
grizzled

denotes a 'plurality' of Greek πολῠ́ς (polús), many, a

poly- polymyositis
something lot of, large, great

πόρος (póros), passage,

por- pore, porous pore
passageway

denotes a purple Greek πορφύρα (porphúra),

porphyr- porphyroblast
color Tyrian purple, royal purple

denotes something
postoperation,
' f ' 'b hi d' L i f b hi d
 p p ,
post- as 'after' or 'behind' Latin post, after, behind
postmortem
another

denotes something Middle English pre-, from

as 'before' another (in Medieval Latin pre- <
pre- premature birth
[physical] position or (Classical) Latin prae-, before,
time) in front of

Greek πρέσβυς (présbus), old presbyopia,

presby- old age
man, elder presbycusis[10]

prim- denotes something Latin prīmus, first, most primary

as 'first' or 'most- important
important'

denotes something
as 'before' another (in Greek πρό- (pró-), before, in
pro- procephalic
[physical] position or front of
time)

proct- anus, rectum Greek πρωκτός (prōktós) proctology

Greek πρόσωπον (prósōpon),

prosop- face prosopagnosia
face, visage, mask

denotes something
Greek πρωτος (prōtos), first;
prot- as 'first' or 'most protoneuron
principal, most important
important'

denotes something Greek ψεύδω (pseúdō), to lie

pseud- pseudoephedrine
false or fake or deceive

Greek ψώρα (psṓra), itch,

psor- Itching psoriasis
mange, scurvy

of or pertaining to the Greek ψυχή (psukhḗ), breath,

psych- psychology, psychiatry
mind life, soul

Pertaining to a wing;
ptero-, Greek πτερόν (pterón), wing,
'pterygo-', wing- lateral pterygoid plate
ptery- feather
shaped

falling, drooping,
-ptosis downward Greek πτῶσῐς (ptôsis), falling apoptosis, nephroptosis
placement, prolapse

- saliva salivary
- saliva, salivary
ptyal-,ptyalo glands, sialaden
-ptysis spitting
ptyalolithiasis
́ ), to spit up,
Greek πτῡ́ω (ptūō
disgorge; + -σις (-sis), added to hemoptysis, the spitting of
verb stems to form abstract blood derived from the
nouns or nouns of action, lungs or bronchial tubes
result or process

pulmon-, of or relating to the Latin pulmō, a lung pulmonary

pulmo- lungs

py- pus Greek πύον (púon pyometra

Greek πύελος (púelos), pelvis,

pyel- pelvis pyelonephritis
wash basin

to thicken (as the

Greek πύκνωσις (púknōsis),
pykno- nucleus does in early pyknosis
thickening
stages of cell death)

Greek πυλωρός (pulōrós), gate

pylor- gate keeper; lower orifice of the pyloric sphincter
stomach

Greek πῦρ, πυρετός (pûr,

pyr- fever antipyretic
puretós), fire, heat, fever

Q–R
 Affix Meaning Origin language and etymology Example(s)

quadr(i)- four Latin quattuor quadriceps

Latin radiō, I radiate, emit

radi- radiation beams; from radius, ray of light, radiowave
spoke of a wheel

radic- referring to the Latin rādīx, root radiculopathy

beginning, or the root,

of a structure, usually
a nerve or a vein

re- again, back Latin re- relapse

abbr. of New Latin rectum

rect- rectum intestinum ('straight intestine') < rectal, rectum
Latin rēctus, straight

of or pertaining to the
ren- Latin rēn, rēnes, kidney renal
kidney

reticul(o)- net Latin rēticulum reticulocyte

retro- backward, behind Latin retro retroversion, retroverted

́ δος (rhábdos), wand,
Greek ῥᾰβ
rhabd(o)- rod shaped, striated rhabdomyolysis
stick, stripe

Greek ῥάχις (rhákhis), spine or rachial, rachialgia,

rhachi(o)- spine
backbone rachidian, rachiopathy

of or pertaining to the Greek ῥίς, ῥῑνο- (rhís, rhīno-),

rhin(o)- rhinoceros, rhinoplasty
nose nose

denoting a rose-red
rhod(o)- Greek ῥόδον (rhódon), rose rhodophyte
color

-rrhage, - burst forth, rapid flow Greek -ραγία (-ragía), to break,

hemorrhage, menorrhagia
rrhagia (of blood, usually) to burst

hymenorrhaphy,
-rrhaphy surgical suturing Greek ῥαφή (rhaphḗ)
neurorrhaphy

-rrhea
flowing, discharge Greek ῥοίᾱ (rhoíā), flow, flux galactorrhea, diarrhea
(AmE)

Greek ῥῆξῐς (rhêxis), breaking,

 ῥῆξ ς ( ), g,
-rrhexis rupture karyorrhexis
bursting, discharge

-rrhoea
flowing, discharge Greek ῥοίᾱ (rhoíā), flow, flux diarrhoea
(BrE)

of or pertaining to the
rubr(o)- red nucleus of the Latin ruber, red rubrospinal
brain

-rupt break or burst Latin rumpō erupt, interrupt

S
 Origin language and
Affix Meaning Example(s)
etymology

of or pertaining to salpingectomy,
́ πῐγξ, σαλπιγγ-,
Greek σᾰλ
salping(o)- tubes, e.g. Fallopian salpingopharyngeus
(sálpinx, salping-), trumpet
tubes muscle

sangui-, of or pertaining to
Latin sanguis, blood sanguine
sanguine- blood

sarco- muscular, flesh-like Greek σάρξ (sárx), flesh sarcoma, sarcoidosis

Greek σχῐστός (skhistós),

schist(o)- split, cleft schistocyte
cloven, divided

Greek σχῐζ́ ω (skhízō), I split,

denoting something
cleave, part; irregular
schiz(o)- "split" or "double- schizophrenia
formation of the verb σχῐζ́ ειν
sided"
(skhízein), to cut, split

scler(o)- hard Greek σκληρός (sklērós) scleroderma

Greek σκληρός (sklērós), hard,

harden; + -σῐς (-sis), added to
atherosclerosis, multiple
-sclerosis hardening verb stems to form abstract
sclerosis
nouns or nouns of action,
result or process

Greek σκολιός (skoliós),

scoli(o)- twisted scoliosis
curved, bent

instrument for Greek σκόπος (skópos),

-scope stethoscope
viewing watcher

use of instrument for Greek σκοπέω (skopéō), to

-scopy endoscopy
viewing look at, behold, examine

scoto- darkness Greek σκότος (skótos) scotopic vision

semi- one-half, partly Latin semi- semiconscious

sial(o)- saliva, salivary gland Latin salīva, saliva. sialagogue

Greek σιγμοειδής
sigmoid, S-shaped
sigmoid(o)- (sigmoeidḗs), crescent- sigmoid colon
curvature
shaped, lunate sigma-shaped
sinistr(o)- left, left side Latin sinister

of or pertaining to the Latin sinus, a curve, bend,

sinus- sinusitis
sinus hollow cavity, bosom

sito- food, grain Greek σῖτος (sîtos) sitophobia

somat(o)-,
body, bodily Greek σῶμα (sôma) somatic
somatico-

somn(o) Sleep Latin somnus, sleep, insomniac[11]

drowsiness

Greek σπάω (spáō), break,

-spadias slit, fissure hypospadias, epispadias
split

spasmo- spasm Greek σπασμός (spasmós) Spasmodic dysphonia

sperma-,
Greek σπέρμα (spérma), seed,
spermo-, semen, spermatozoa spermatogenesis
semen
spermato-

splanchn(i)-, Greek σπλᾰγ́ χνον

viscera splanchnology
splanchn(o)- (splánkhnon), bowels, guts

Greek σπλήν, σπλην- (splḗn,

splen(o)- spleen splenectomy
splēn-), spleen, milt

Greek σφόνδῠλος /
of or pertaining to the
spondyl(o)- σπόνδυλος (sphóndulos, spondylitis
spine, the vertebra
spóndulos), the spine

denoting something
Latin squāmōsus, full of
squamos(o)- as "full of scales" or squamous cell
scales, scaly
"scaly"

Greek στέλλω (stéllō), I

-stalsis contraction peristalsis
dispatch, place, set
́ ῐς (stásis), to
Greek στᾰσ
-stasis stopping, standing cytostasis, homeostasis
stand, place, set

Greek στάζω, στακτός (stázō,

-staxis dripping, trickling
staktós), drip, leak, trickle

denoting something
as narrow in shape or Greek στενός (stenós),
sten(o)- stenography
i i h
 ( ) g p y
pertaining to narrow, short
narrowness

Greek στενός (stenós),

abnormal narrowing
narrow, short; + -σῐς (-sis),
of a blood vessel or
-stenosis added to verb stems to form restenosis, stenosis
other tubular organ
abstract nouns or nouns of
or structure
action, result or process

steth- of or pertaining to the Greek στῆθος (stêthos), chest, stethoscope

upper chest, the area cuirass

above the breast and
under the neck

strength, force,
stheno- Greek σθένος (sthénos
power

of or pertaining to the
stom-, Greek στόμᾰ, στοματ- (stóma, stomatogastric,
mouth; an artificially
stomat- stomat-), mouth stomatognathic system
created opening[12]

creation of an New Latin stoma, opening;

-stomy colostomy
opening from Greek στόμᾰ (stóma)

sub- beneath, under Latin sub subcutaneous tissue

in excess, above,
super- Latin super superior vena cava
superior

supra- above, excessive Latin supra supraorbital vein

indicates similarity,
likeness, or being
together; assimilates
sy, syl-,
before some Greek σῠν- (sun-), with, symptom, synalgia,
sym-, syn-,
consonants: before l together synesthesia, syssarcosis
sys-
to syl-, s to sys-,
before a labial
consonant to sym-

T
 Origin language and
Affix Meaning Example(s)
etymology

denoting something
Greek τᾰχῠ́ς (takhús), fast,
tachy- as fast, irregularly tachycardia
quickly
fast

-tension, - Latin tēnsiō, stretching,

pressure hypertension
tensive extension, tension

terato- Monster Greek τέρᾰς ((téras) teratoma, teratogen

tetan- rigid, tense Greek τέτανος (tétanos) tetanus

thec- case, sheath Greek θήκη (thḗkē) intrathecal

of or pertaining to a
Greek θηλή (thēlḗ), a teat,
thel- nipple (uncommon as Theleplasty, thelarche
nipple
a prefix)

denoting something
Greek θῆλῠς (thêlus), female,
thely- as relating to a Thelygenous
feminine
woman, feminine

therap- treatment Greek θερᾰπείᾱ (therapeíā) hydrotherapy, therapeutic

therm(o)- heat Greek θερμός (thermós) hypothermia

of or pertaining to the
thorac(i)-, upper chest, chest;
Latin thōrāx < Greek θώρᾱξ
thorac(o)-, the area above the thoracic, thorax
(thṓrāx), chest, cuirass
thoracico- breast and under the
neck

of or relating to a
Greek θρόμβος (thrómbos), thrombus,
thromb(o)- blood clot, clotting of
lump, piece, clot of blood thrombocytopenia
blood

Greek θῠρεός (thureós), large

thyr(o)- thyroid oblong shield; + εἶδος (eîdos),
a form or shape

Greek θῡμός (thūmós), spirit,

thym- emotions soul; courage; breath, mind, dysthymia
emotions

G k ῐ ό ( ikó ) dj i
 Greek -τῐκός (-tikós), adjective-
-tic pertaining to forming suffix denoting:
relating to, able to, suited to

toco- childbirth Greek τόκος (tókos) tocolytic

Greek τομή (tomḗ),

-tome cutting instrument
intersection

-tomy act of cutting; Greek τομία (-tomía) Gastrotomy

incising, incision

tone, tension, Greek τόνος (tónos), rope,

ton-
pressure cord; tension

-tony tension Greek -τονία (-tonía)

top(o)- place, topical Greek τόπος (tópos) Topical anesthetic

tort(i)- twisted Latin tortus Torticollis

Greek τοξικόν (toxikón), bow

tox(i)-, (archery), bow-related; from
tox(o)-, toxin, poison Greek τοξικόν φάρμᾰκον Toxoplasmosis
toxic(o)- (toxikón phármakon), poison
for smearing arrows with

Greek τραχεῖα (trakheîa),

trache(a)- trachea Tracheotomy
windpipe
́ ηλος (trákhēlos),
of or pertaining to the Greek τρᾰχ
trachel(o)- tracheloplasty
neck neck

denoting something
trans- as moving or situated Latin trāns, across, through Transfusion
across or through

tri- three Latin tri- triangle, triceps

trich(i)-,
of or pertaining to
trichia, Greek θρῐξ́ (thríx), hair trichocyst
hair, hair-like structure
trich(o)-

Greek τρῖψις (trípsis), rubbing,

-tripsy crushing lithotripsy
friction

nourishment, Greek τροφή (trophḗ), food,

-trophy pseudohypertrophy
development nourishment
 Greek τῠ́μπᾰνον (túmpanon),
tympan(o)- eardrum tympanocentesis
drum, eardrum

U
Affix Meaning Origin language and etymology Example(s)

-ula, -
small Latin Nodule
ule

ultra- beyond, excessive Latin ultra ultrasound, ultraviolet

of or pertaining to the Latin umbilīcus, navel, belly-

umbilic- umbilical
navel, the umbilicus button

of or pertaining to the
ungui- Latin unguis, nail, claw unguiform, ungual
nail, a claw

un(i)- one Latin ūnus unilateral hearing loss

antidiuretic, diuresis,
of or pertaining to diuretic, dysuria, enuresis,
Greek οὐρέω, οὐρεῖν (ouréō,
ur- urine, the urinary polyurea, polyuria,
oureîn); οὖρον (oûron), urine
system uraemia/uremia, uremic,
ureter, urethra, urology

of or pertaining to
Latin ūrīna, urine < Greek οὖρον
urin- urine, the urinary uriniferous
(oûron), see ur- above.
system

of or pertaining to the
uter(o)- Latin uterus, womb, uterus uterus
uterus or womb

V
 Origin language and
Affix Meaning Example(s)
etymology

of or pertaining to the Latin vāgīna, sheath, scabbard;

vagin- vaginal epithelium
vagina vagina

swollen or twisted
varic(o)- Latin varix varicose
vein

vas(o)- duct, blood vessel Latin vās, vessel, dish, vase vasoconstriction

vasculo- blood vessel Latin vāsculum

of or pertaining to the
veins, venous blood,
ven- Latin vēna, blood-vessel, vein venule, venospasm
and the vascular
system

of or pertaining to the
Latin venter, belly, stomach,
ventr(o)- belly, the stomach ventrodorsal
womb
cavities

of or pertaining to the
Latin ventriculus, the ventricles
ventricles; any hollow cardiac ventriculography,
ventricul(o)- of the heart, the ventricles of
region inside an atrioventricular node
the brain
organ

-version turning Latin versiō anteversion, retroversion

of or pertaining to the
vesic(o)- Latin vēsīca, bladder, blister vesical arteries
bladder

of or pertaining to the
Latin viscus (pl. viscera),
viscer(o)- internal organs, the viscera
internal organ(s)
viscera

X–Z
 Affix Meaning Origin language and etymology Example(s)

having a yellow color,

especially an
xanth(o)- Greek ξᾰνθός (xanthós), yellow xanthopathy
abnormally yellow
color

Greek ξένος (xénos), foreign,

xen(o)- foreign, different xenograft
stranger

xer(o)- dry, desert-like Greek ξηρός (xērós), dry xerostomia, xeroderma

xiphisternum, xiphoid,
xiph- sword ́ ος (xíphos), sword
Greek ξῐφ
xiphoidalgia

Latin -ia, from Greek -ῐᾱ́ , -ειᾰ (-íā,

condition or process
-y -eia), suffixes used to form surgery
of
abstract nouns

Greek ζέω (zéō), to boil, seethe,

ze- boil eczema
bubble

zo(o)- animal, animal life Greek ζῷον (zôion) zoology

Greek ζύμη (zúmē), leaven,

zym(o)- fermentation enzyme, lysozyme
yeast

English meanings
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.

Roots of the body

Roots of bodily concepts

Other root in
Bodily concept Greek root in English Latin root in English
English

digestion -pepsia – –

disease -pathy – –

eating -phagia -vory –

Roots of body parts and

substances
 Body part or Other root in
Greek root in English Latin root in English
component English

abdomen lapar- abdomin- –

aorta aort(o)- aort(o)- –

arm brachi- arm- –

armpit maschal- axill- –

artery arteri- – –

back not- dors- –

big toe – allic-, hallic- –

bladder cyst- vesic- –

haemat-, hemat- (haem-,

blood sangui-, sanguin- –
hem-)

blood clot thromb- – –

blood vessel angi- vas-, vascul- –

body somat-, som- corpor- –

bone oste- ossi- –

bone marrow, marrow myel- medull- –

brain encephal(o)- cerebr- –

breast mast- mamm(o)- –

chest steth- pector- –

cheek parei- bucc- –

ear ot(o)- aur(i)- –

eggs, ova oo- ov- –

optic(o)-
eye ophthalm(o)- ocul(o)-
(French)

eyelid blephar(o)- cili-, palpebr- –

face prosop(o)- faci(o)- –

fallopian tubes salping(o)- – –

fat, fatty tissue lip(o)- adip- –

finger dactyl(o)- digit- –

forehead – front(o)- –

gallbladder cholecyst(o)- fell- –

genitals, sexually
gon(o)-, phall(o)- – –
undifferentiated

gland aden(o)- – –

glans penis or clitoridis balan(o)- – –

gums – gingiv- –

hair trich(o)- capill- –

hand cheir(o)-, chir(o)- manu- –

head cephal(o)- capit(o)- –

heart cardi(o)- cordi- –

hip, hip-joint – cox- –

horn cerat(o)- cornu- –

intestine enter(o)- – –

jaw gnath(o)- – –

kidney nephr(o)- ren- –

knee gon- genu- –

lip cheil(o)-, chil(o)- labi(o)- –

liver hepat(o)-, (hepatic-) jecor- –

loins, pubic region episi(o)- pudend- –

lungs pneumon- pulmon(i)-, (pulmo-) –

marrow, bone marrow myel(o)- medull- –

mind psych- ment- –

mouth stomat(o)- or- –

muscle my(o)- – –

nail onych(o)- ungui- –

navel omphal(o)- umbilic- –

neck trachel(o)- cervic- –

nerve; the nervous
neur(o)- nerv- –
system

nipple, teat thele- papill-, mammill- –

nose rhin(o)- nas- –

ovary oophor(o)- ovari(o)- –

pelvis pyel(o)- pelv(i)- –

penis pe(o)- – –

pupil (of the eye) cor-, core-, coro- – –

rib pleur(o)- cost(o)- –

rib cage thorac(i)-, thorac(o)- – –

shoulder om(o)- humer(o)- –

sinus – sinus- –

skin dermat(o)-, (derm-) cut-, cuticul- –

skull crani(o)- – –

stomach gastr(o)- ventr(o)- –

testis orchi(o)-, orchid(o)- – –

throat (upper throat

pharyng(o)- – –
cavity)

throat (lower throat

laryng(o)- – –
cavity/voice box])

thumb – pollic- –

tooth odont(o)- dent(i)- –

tongue gloss-, glott- lingu(a)- –

toe dactyl(o)- digit- –

tumour cel-, onc(o)- tum- –

ureter ureter(o)- ureter(o)- –

urethra urethr(o)-, urethr(a)- urethr(o)-, urethr(a)- –

urine, urinary system ur(o)- urin(o)- –

uterine tubes salping(o)- salping(o)- –

uterus hyster(o)-, metr(o)- uter(o)- –

vagina colp(o)- vagin- –

vein phleb(o)- ven- –

vulva episi(o)- vulv- –

womb hyster(o)-, metr(o)- uter(o)- –

wrist carp(o)- carp(o)- –

Roots of color
Other root in
Color Greek root in English Latin root in English
English

black melan- atr-, nigr- –

blue cyan- cerule- –

gold chrys- aur- –

gray, grey poli- can- –

green chlor- vir- –

purple porphyr- purpur-, purpureo- –

red erythr-, rhod- rub-, rubr-, ruf- –

red-orange cirrh- – –

silver – argent- –

white leuc-, leuk- alb-, cand- –

yellow xanth- flav- jaun- (French)

Roots of description
 Other root in
Description Greek root in English Latin root in English
English

bad, incorrect cac-, dys- mal- mis-

bent, crooked ankyl- prav- –

big mega-, megal(o)- magn(i)- –

biggest megist- maxim- –

broad, wide eury- lat(i)- –

cold cry(o)- frig(i)- –

dead necr(o)- mort- –

equal is(o)- equ(i)- –

false pseud(o)- fals(i)- –

female, feminine thely- – –

flat platy- plan(i)- –

good, well eu- ben(e)-, bon(i)- –

great mega-, megal(o)- magn(i)- –

hard scler(o)- dur(i)- –

heavy bar(o)- grav(i)- –

hollow coel(o)- cav(i)- –

huge megal(o)- magn(i)- –

incorrect, bad cac(o)-, dys- mal(e)- mis-

irregular poikil(o) – –

large; extremely large mega- magn(i)- –

largest megist- maxim- –

long macr(o)- long(i)- –

male, masculine arseno- vir- –

narrow sten(o)- angust(i)- –

new ne(o)- nov(i)- –

normal, correct orth(o)- rect(i)- –

old paleo- veter- –

sharp oxy- ac- –

short brachy- brev(i)- –

small micr(o)- parv(i)- (rare) –

smallest – minim- –

slow brady- tard(i)- –

fast tachy- celer- –

soft malac(o)- moll(i)- –

straight orth(o)- rect(i)- –

thick pachy- crass(i)- –

varied, various poikilo- vari- –

well, good eu- ben(e)- –

wide, broad eury- lat(i)- –

Roots of position
Other root in
Description Greek root in English Latin root in English
English

around, surrounding peri- circum- –

internal, within endo- intra- –

left levo- laev-, sinistr- –

middle meso-, mes- medi- –

right dexi- dex-, dextr-, dextro- –

Prefixes of quantity or amount

 Other root in
Description Greek root in English Latin root in English
English

double diplo- dupli- –

equal iso- equi- –

few oligo- pauci- –

half hemi- semi- demi- (French)

many, much poly- multi- –

twice dis- bis- –

See also
Medicine
Glossary of medicine
Classical compound
International scientific vocabulary
List of medical abbreviations
Medical dictionary
Medicine

References
 1. ἀκούω
2. "Latin Word Study Tool" . Tufts.edu.
Retrieved 25 February 2017.
3. κάρυον . Liddell, Henry George; Scott,
Robert; A Greek–English Lexicon at
the Perseus Project
4. κέρας  in Liddell and Scott
5. κινέω  in Liddell and Scott
6. κοῖλος  in Liddell and Scott
7. κύπτω  in Liddell and Scott
8. "opistho-" . dictionary.com
9. The Language of Medicine, 11th
edition , Davi-Ellen Chabner
10. Stedman's Online
 11. The Language of Medicine 11th
Edition , Davi-Ellen Chabner
12. Stanfield, Peggy S.; Hui, Y. H.; Cross,
Nanna (30 September 2013).
"Essential Medical Terminology" .
Jones & Bartlett Learning. Retrieved
25 February 2017 – via Amazon.

External links
"Root Words & Prefixes: Quick
Reference." LearnThatWord. N.p., n.d.
Web. 3 March 2013.

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