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Suffixes are word parts that are located at the end of words. Suffixes can alter the meaning of medical terms. It is important to spell and pronounce suffixes correctly.

Many suffixes in medical terms are common English-language suffixes. Suffixes are not always explicitly stated in the definition of a word. It is common that suffixes will not be explicitly stated when defining a medical term in the workplace. However, when transcribing or reading medical reports, the suffix is always clearly written. In order to properly spell and pronounce medical terms, it is helpful to learn the suffixes.

We will be seeing these suffixes mentioned again in this book, but they are presented here as a reference.

Medical Terminology: An Interactive Approach Copyright © 2022 by LOUIS: The Louisiana Library Network is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License , except where otherwise noted.

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2 Prefixes and Suffixes

Learning objectives.

  • Understand the difference between a prefix and a suffix.
  • Differentiate prefixes that deal with body parts, color, and direction.
  • Distinguish suffixes that deal with procedures.

Prefixes are located at the beginning of a medical term. The prefix alters the meaning of the medical term. It is important to spell and pronounce prefixes correctly.

Many prefixes that you find in medical terms are common to English language prefixes. A good technique to help with memorization is the following:

  • Start by reviewing the most common prefixes.
  • Consider common English language words that begin with the same prefixes.
  • Compare them to the examples of use in medical terms.

Common Prefixes

Body part prefixes, color prefixes, physical property and shape prefixes, direction and position prefixes, quantity prefixes, concept check.

  • Do you know the difference between the prefixes inter- , infra- , and intra- ?
  • What color is an erythrocyte? A leukocyte?
  • around something else?
  • within something else?
  • below something else?

Suffixes are word parts that are located at the end of words. Suffixes can alter the meaning of medical terms. It is important to spell and pronounce suffixes correctly.

Suffixes in medical terms are common to English language suffixes. Suffixes are not always explicitly stated in the definition of a word. It is common that suffixes will not be explicitly stated when defining a medical term in the workplace. However, when transcribing or reading medical reports the suffix is always clearly written. In order to properly spell and pronounce medical terms, it is helpful to learn the suffixes.

Common Suffixes

Procedure suffixes.

  • Do you know the difference between the suffixes -gram ,  -graph , and  -graphy?
  • Which suffixes denote a condition or disease?

Word parts and definitions from “Appendix A: Word Parts and What They Mean” by MedlinePlus and is under public domain.

Definitions of medical term examples from:

  • Anatomy and Physiology  (on  OpenStax ), by Betts et al. and is used under a  CC BY 4.0 international license . Download and access this book for free at  https://openstax.org/books/anatomy-and-physiology/pages/1-introduction
  • Concepts of Biology (on OpenStax ), by Fowler et al. and is used under a  CC BY 4.0 international license . Download and access this book for free at https://openstax.org/books/concepts-biology/pages/1-introduction
  • NCI Dictionary of Cancer Terms by the National Cancer Institute and is used under public domain.

Word part at the beginning of a medical term that changes the meaning of the word root

A condition in which the number of red blood cells or hemoglobin is deficient (Betts et al., 2013)

Male sex hormones; for example, testosterone (Betts et al., 2013)

Drugs that inhibit the release of acetylcholine (ACh) (Betts et al., 2013)

A chemical that elicits a response in the same cell that secreted it (Betts et al., 2013)

A science concerned with the origin, structure, development, growth, function, genetics, and reproduction of animals, plants, and microorganisms (National Library of Medicine, 2021)

Treatment that uses drugs to stop the growth of cancer cells, either by killing the cells or by stopping them from dividing (National Cancer Institute, n.d.)

The use of drugs, devices, or surgery to prevent pregnancy (National Cancer Institute, n.d.)

A signaling molecule that allows cells to communicate with each other over short distances (Betts et al., 2013)

When a body is dissected, its structures are cut apart in order to observe their physical attributes and relationships to one another (Betts et al., 2013)

Difficulty breathing (Betts et al., 2013)

A mode of breathing that occurs at rest and does not require the cognitive thought of the individual; also known as quiet breathing (Betts et al., 2013)

A process in which muscle fibers are replaced by scar tissue (Betts et al., 2013)

A polysaccharide that is converted to glucose (Betts et al., 2013)

A medical-surgical specialty concerned with the physiology and disorders primarily of the female genital tract, as well as female endocrinology and reproductive physiology (National Library of Medicine, 2021)

The abnormal buildup of cerebrospinal fluid in the ventricles of the brain (National Cancer Institute, n.d.)

Something that is unknown (Betts et al., 2013)

An organelle that contains enzymes that break down and digest unneeded cellular components (Betts et al., 2013)

Cancerous (Betts et al., 2013)

A chronic subcutaneous infection (National Library of Medicine, 2021)

Accidental cell death (Betts et al., 2013)

An infant during the first 28 days after birth (National Library of Medicine, 2021)

Hypothalamic hormone stored in the posterior pituitary gland and important in stimulating uterine contractions in labor, milk ejection during breastfeeding, and feelings of attachment (also produced in males) (Betts et al., 2013)

A condition in which there is a lower-than-normal number of red and white blood cells and platelets in the blood (National Cancer Institute, n.d.)

A health professional who has special training in preparing and dispensing (giving out) prescription drugs (National Cancer Institute, n.d.)

The phenomenon of youthfulness, vitality, and freshness being restored (National Library of Medicine, 2021)

General term for a body cell (Betts et al., 2013)

The opening that provides for passage of the nerve from the hearing and equilibrium organs of the inner ear (Betts et al., 2013)

Pharyngeal tonsil (Betts et al., 2013)

Fat cell (Betts et al., 2013)

The outer region of the adrenal gland; secretes steroid hormones (Betts et al., 2013)

A procedure in which an occlusion is mechanically widened with a balloon (Betts et al., 2013)

A very small artery that leads to a capillary (Betts et al., 2013)

Joint replacement surgery (Betts et al., 2013)

The cheeks, tongue, and palate (Betts et al., 2013)

Large airway that leads from the trachea (windpipe) to a lung (Betts et al., 2013)

Branches of the bronchi (Betts et al., 2013)

A thin connective tissue sac filled with lubricating liquid (Betts et al., 2013)

A form of cancer that affects the stratum basale of the epidermis (Betts et al., 2013)

The study of the heart (Betts et al., 2013)

The curve between the brain stem and forebrain (Betts et al., 2013)

An important component of bile acids; a building block of many hormones (Betts et al., 2013)

A type of cancer that forms in bone cartilage (National Cancer Institute, n.d.)

Supply blood to the myocardium and other components of the heart (Betts et al., 2013)

Made of hyaline cartilage and located at the end of each rib (Betts et al., 2013)

Completely surrounds and protects the brain from non-traumatic injury (Betts et al., 2013)

Skin (Betts et al., 2013)

Examination of the bladder and urethra using a cystoscope, inserted into the urethra (National Cancer Institute, n.d.)

Medical doctor who specializes in diagnosing and treating skin disorders (Betts et al., 2013)

The first portion of the small intestine (Betts et al., 2013)

Inflammation of the duodenum (National Cancer Institute, n.d.)

Stomach removal (Betts et al., 2013)

Surgical removal of all or part of the tongue (National Cancer Institute, n.d.)

The production of blood cells (Betts et al., 2013)

Carriers blood to the liver for processing before it enters circulation (Betts et al., 2013)

The study of tissues (Betts et al., 2013)

Surgery to remove the uterus and, sometimes, the cervix (National Cancer Institute, n.d.)

The longest part of the small intestine (Betts et al., 2013)

A procedure in which the ileum is brought through the abdominal wall (Betts et al., 2013)

The lower and back part of the hip bone (Betts et al., 2013)

The large, roughened area of the inferior ischium (Betts et al., 2013)

An intracellular fibrous protein that gives hair, nails, and skin their hardness and water-resistant properties (Betts et al., 2013)

Tears of the eye (Betts et al., 2013)

Milk sugar (Betts et al., 2013)

A cartilaginous structure inferior to the laryngopharynx that connects the pharynx to the trachea and helps regulate the volume of air that enters and leaves the lungs; also known as the voice box (Betts et al., 2013)

Inflammation of the larynx (National Cancer Institute, n.d.)

Lymphoid tissue located at the base of the tongue (Betts et al., 2013)

The breakdown of adipose tissue (Betts et al., 2013)

The second most common type of leukocyte and are essential for the immune response (Betts et al., 2013)

Modified sweat glands that produce breast milk (Betts et al., 2013)

The membranes that surround the central nervous system (Betts et al., 2013)

Inflammation of the meninges, the tough membranes that surround the central nervous system (Betts et al., 2013)

Refers to both the muscular system and skeletal system (Betts et al., 2013)

The middle and thickest muscle layer of the heart (Betts et al., 2013)

Lipid-rich layer of insulation that surrounds an axon, formed by oligodendrocytes in the central nervous system and Schwann cells in the peripheral nervous system; facilitates the transmission of electrical signals (Betts et al., 2013)

A highly specialized tubular structure responsible for creating the final urine composition (Betts et al., 2013)

Cells that propagate information via electrochemical impulses (Betts et al., 2013)

Responsible for eye movements (Betts et al., 2013)

A gene that is a mutated form of a gene involved in normal cell growth and may cause the growth of cancer cells (National Cancer Institute, n.d.)

Abnormal changes in the shape, color, texture, and growth of the fingernails or toenails (National Cancer Institute, n.d.)

Immature egg cell (Betts et al., 2013)

Surgery to remove one or both ovaries (National Cancer Institute, n.d.)

Carriers signals from the retina to the brain (Betts et al., 2013)

Provides blood to the eyes (Betts et al., 2013)

Surgery to remove one or both testicles; also called orchiectomy (National Cancer Institute, n.d.)

Standing up (Betts et al., 2013)

Bone tissue (Betts et al., 2013)

Three small bones located in the middle ear (Betts et al., 2013)

A disease characterized by a decrease in bone mass that occurs when the rate of bone resorption exceeds the rate of bone formation (Betts et al., 2013)

A doctor who has special training in diagnosing and treating diseases of the ear, nose, and throat; also called ENT doctor (National Cancer Institute, n.d.)

The oocyte and its supporting cells (Betts et al., 2013)

Any bone in the fingers or toes (Betts et al., 2013)

Finger and toe bones (Betts et al., 2013)

The tonsil located at the back of the throat; also known as the adenoid when swollen (Betts et al., 2013)

A medical professional trained to draw blood, typically by performing a venipuncture of a surface vein of the arm (Betts et al., 2013)

The nerve connected to the spinal cord at cervical levels 3 to 5; it is responsible for the muscle contractions that drive ventilation (Betts et al., 2013)

The membrane that wraps around the outside of your lungs and lines the inside of your chest cavity (Betts et al., 2013)

The space between the lung's visceral and parietal layers (Betts et al., 2013)

A severe inflammation of the lungs in which the alveoli (tiny air sacs) are filled with fluid (National Cancer Institute, n.d.).

A procedure that uses a proctoscope to look inside the anus and rectum (National Cancer Institute, n.d.)

Surgery to remove part or all of the prostate and some of the tissue around it (National Cancer Institute, n.d.)

Tissue with a single layer of irregularly shaped cells that give the appearance of more than one layer (Betts et al., 2013)

A medical doctor who specializes in neuroscience and diagnoses and treats mental disorders (Betts et al., 2013)

Radioactive isotopes (Betts et al., 2013)

The outer region of the kidney, between the renal capsule and the renal medulla (Betts et al., 2013)

A disease that causes deterioration of the retinas of the eyes (Betts et al., 2013)

A thin, tube-like instrument used to examine the inside of the nose (National Cancer Institute, n.d.)

Surgical removal of the fallopian tubes and ovaries (National Cancer Institute, n.d.)

The functional unit of a skeletal muscle fiber (Betts et al., 2013)

A group of severe mental disorders in which a person has trouble telling the difference between real and unreal experiences, thinking logically, having normal emotional responses to others, and behaving normally in social situations (National Cancer Institute, n.d.)

Hardening of tissue (Betts et al., 2013)

Examination of the lower colon using a sigmoidoscope, inserted into the rectum (National Cancer Institute, n.d.)

A male gametocyte from which a spermatozoon develops (Betts et al., 2013)

Enlarged spleen (National Cancer Institute, n.d.)

A condition in which the heart valves become rigid and may calcify over time (Betts et al., 2013)

Breastbone (Betts et al., 2013)

The only bony articulation between the pectoral girdle of the upper limb and the axial skeleton (Betts et al., 2013)

Inflammation or irritation of the mucous membranes in the mouth (National Cancer Institute, n.d.)

A chamber located within the upper human torso which contains the heart and lungs (Betts et al., 2013)

A class of drugs that can help speed up the degradation of an abnormal clot (Betts et al., 2013)

Inflammation of the thyroid gland (National Cancer Institute, n.d.)

The windpipe (Betts et al., 2013)

A smooth muscle that bridges the gap between the free ends of C-shaped cartilages at the posterior border of the trachea (Betts et al., 2013)

The ear drum (Betts et al., 2013)

A doctor who has special training in diagnosing and treating diseases of the urinary organs in females and the urinary and reproductive organs in males (National Cancer Institute, n.d.)

Pertaining to the vagina (National Cancer Institute, n.d.)

Distended, twisted veins (Betts et al., 2013)

Inflammation of blood vessels (Betts et al., 2013)

The two major systemic veins (Betts et al., 2013)

The spine (Betts et al., 2013)

A green pigment that captures the energy of sunlight for photosynthesis (National Library of Medicine, 2021)

Composed of DNA and proteins; the condensed form of chromatin (Betts et al., 2013)

A condition in which the oxygen supply is restricted, causing the skin to look blue (Betts et al., 2013)

A red blood cell (Betts et al., 2013)

White blood cell(s) (Betts et al., 2013)

Pigment that gives the hair and skin its color (Betts et al., 2013)

A procedure in which an extremely cold liquid or an instrument called a cryoprobe is used to freeze and destroy abnormal tissue (National Cancer Institute, n.d.)

The record of the heart's function produced by the electrocardiograph (Betts et al., 2013)

The energy matter possesses because of its motion (Betts et al., 2013)

An excessive posterior curvature of the thoracic region (Betts et al., 2013)

Cancer that forms in the soft tissues in a type of muscle called striated muscle (National Cancer Institute, n.d.)

A specialized receptor in the eye that responds to light stimuli (Betts et al., 2013)

Immature erythrocytes (Betts et al., 2013)

Lateral curvature of the spine (Betts et al., 2013)

Treatment of disease using heat (National Cancer Institute, n.d.)

Moves the bone away from the midline (Betts et al., 2013)

Moves the bone toward the midline (Betts et al., 2013)

Having to do with the time a female is pregnant, before birth occurs; also called prenatal (National Cancer Institute, n.d.)

The surgical removal of the prepuce (Betts et al., 2013)

A condition in which the number of neutrophils in the blood goes in cycles from normal to low and back to normal again (National Cancer Institute, n.d.)

A net loss of water that results in insufficient water in blood and other tissues (Betts et al., 2013)

The process of identifying a disease, condition, or injury from its signs and symptoms (National Cancer Institute, n.d.)

A gland whose secretions leave through a duct that opens directly, or indirectly, to the external environment (Betts et al., 2013)

A ductless gland that releases secretions directly into surrounding tissues and fluids (Betts et al., 2013)

The outer, protective layer of the skin (Betts et al., 2013)

Exhalation, or the process of causing air to leave the lungs (Betts et al., 2013)

Located below the zygomatic arch and deep to the ramus of the mandible (Betts et al., 2013)

Extracellular fluid not contained within blood vessels (Betts et al., 2013)

The fluid interior of the cell (Betts et al., 2013)

The middle germ layer in the embryo (Betts et al., 2013)

The sum of all anabolic and catabolic reactions that take place in the body (Betts et al., 2013)

Small structures located on the posterior thyroid gland that produce parathyroid hormone (PTH) (Betts et al., 2013)

A doctor who has special training in identifying diseases by studying cells and tissues under a microscope (National Cancer Institute, n.d.)

Membrane that separates the heart from other mediastinal structures; consists of two distinct, fused sublayers: the fibrous pericardium and the parietal pericardium (Betts et al., 2013)

The period of approximately 6 weeks immediately following childbirth (Betts et al., 2013)

A term used to describe a condition that may (or is likely to) become cancer (Betts et al., 2013)

Located behind the peritoneum (Betts et al., 2013)

The layer of skin directly below the dermis (Betts et al., 2013)

A position above or higher than another part of the body proper (Betts et al., 2013)

The upper part of the larynx (voice box), including the epiglottis (National Cancer Institute, n.d.)

A set of symptoms or conditions that occur together and suggest the presence of a certain disease or an increased chance of developing the disease (National Cancer Institute, n.d.)

Absorbed through the unbroken skin (National Cancer Institute, n.d.)

Muscles with two origins (Betts et al., 2013)

A condition in which the heart beats slower than 50 beats per minute (Betts et al., 2013)

A cell containing two matched sets of chromosomes (Betts et al., 2013)

A condition in which one side of the body or a part of one side is larger than the other (National Cancer Institute, n.d.)

Made up of elements or ingredients that are not alike (National Cancer Institute, n.d.)

A term that describes having two identical versions of the same gene (Betts et al., 2013)

Abnormally high blood pressure (Betts et al., 2013)

Blood pressure goes below the homeostatic set point when standing (Betts et al., 2013)

Having the same intensity as another object (National Cancer Institute, n.d.)

A large cell derived from a monocyte; they participate in innate immune responses (Betts et al., 2013)

Smaller than most of the other glial cells; they ingest and digest cells or pathogens that cause disease (Betts et al., 2013)

A type of immune cell that is made in the bone marrow (National Cancer Institute, n.d.)

Below-average production of urine (Betts et al., 2013)

Excessive urine production (Betts et al., 2013)

A group of four muscles located on the anterior (front) thigh (Betts et al., 2013)

The generic name for the the openings that lead to the pulmonary trunk and aorta (Betts et al., 2013)

A condition in which the resting rate is above 100 bpm (Betts et al., 2013)

A congenital heart condition comprised of four defects (Betts et al., 2013)

The three-headed muscle that extends the forearm (Betts et al., 2013)

Single-celled (Betts et al., 2013)

A word part added to the end of a word that changes the meaning of the word root

Having to do with the heart (National Cancer Institute, n.d.)

A type of immature white blood cell that forms in the bone marrow (National Cancer Institute, n.d.)

Platelets (Betts et al., 2013)

Chest pain (National Cancer Institute, n.d.)

Of or pertaining to the esophagus (National Cancer Institute, n.d.)

Failure of the lung to expand (inflate) completely (National Cancer Institute, n.d.)

A group of related disorders in which there is the inadequate production of functional amounts of one or more clotting factors (Betts et al., 2013)

A chronic disease of the skin marked by red patches covered with white scales (National Cancer Institute, n.d.)

The disease state caused by insufficient production of thyroid hormone by the thyroid gland (Betts et al., 2013)

Chronic inflammation of the synovial joints (Betts et al., 2013)

Pertaining to the body's ability to mount an overwhelming immune response against a pathogen so that it cannot produce disease (Betts et al., 2013)

Sheets of cells that cover the exterior surfaces of the body, line internal cavities and passageways, and form certain glands; also known as epithelial tissue (Betts et al., 2013)

Causing the breakdown of bone (National Cancer Institute, n.d.)

A softening of adult bones due to Vitamin D deficiency (Betts et al., 2013)

A disorder that results in the growth of bones in the face, hands, and feet in response to excessive levels of growth hormone in individuals who have stopped growing (Betts et al., 2013)

A membrane layer of the CNS that resembles a spider web (Betts et al., 2013)

A type of cancer that begins in the cells that line blood vessels or lymph vessels (National Cancer Institute, n.d.)

A disease characterized by the presence of endometrial-like tissue found outside the uterus (Betts et al., 2013)

Having to do with water (National Cancer Institute, n.d.)

Disease or swelling of the lymph nodes (National Cancer Institute, n.d.)

A condition in which there is an insufficient number of platelets (Betts et al., 2013)

Difficulty swallowing (National Cancer Institute, n.d.)

Loss of language function (Betts et al., 2013)

Abnormal growth due to the production of cells (Betts et al., 2013)

Paralysis on one side of the body (Betts et al., 2013)

A chronic disorder characterized by the cessation of breathing during sleep (Betts et al., 2013)

The process by which the body produces blood (Betts et al., 2013)

Programmed cell death (Betts et al., 2013)

Excessive bleeding (Betts et al., 2013)

Frequent and watery bowel movements (National Cancer Institute, n.d.)

The generalized loss of compliance; "hardening of the arteries" (Betts et al., 2013)

A serious condition that occurs when there is an extremely low number of granulocytes (a type of white blood cell) in the blood (National Cancer Institute, n.d.)

The state of steady internal conditions maintained by living things (Betts et al., 2013)

The enlargement of muscles (Betts et al., 2013)

The absence of urine production (Betts et al., 2013)

Removal of fluid from the pleural cavity through a needle inserted between the ribs (National Cancer Institute, n.d.)

A medical procedure that uses chemicals or drugs to cause inflammation and adhesion between the layers of the pleura to prevent buildup of fluid (National Cancer Institute, n.d.)

The surgical procedure to remove all or part of a breast (National Cancer Institute, n.d.)

The instrument that generates an electrocardiogram (ECG); 10 electrodes are placed in standard locations on the patient's skin to record heart function (Betts et al., 2013)

A procedure that uses high-energy sound waves (ultrasound) to look at tissues and organs inside the chest (National Cancer Institute, n.d.)

A blood pressure cuff attached to a measuring device (Betts et al., 2013)

The removal of cells or tissues for examination by a pathologist (National Cancer Institute, n.d.)

An opening into the colon from the outside of the body (National Cancer Institute, n.d.)

A surgical incision made in the wall of the abdomen (National Cancer Institute, n.d.)

A procedure in which one or both ovaries and fallopian tubes are separated from the uterus and attached to the wall of the abdomen (National Cancer Institute, n.d.)

A procedure used to repair a bone in the spine that has a break caused by cancer, osteoporosis, or trauma (National Cancer Institute, n.d.)

A thin, tube-like instrument used to look at tissues inside the body (National Cancer Institute, n.d.)

A procedure that uses an endoscope to examine the inside of the body (National Cancer Institute, n.d.)

Medical Terminology for Healthcare Professions Copyright © 2020 by Andrea Nelson and Katherine Greene is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License , except where otherwise noted.

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Medicine LibreTexts

1.1: Identifying Word Parts in Medical Terms

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  • Page ID 64950

  • Stacey Grimm, Coleen Allee, Elaine Strachota, Laurie Zielinski, Traci Gotz, Micheal Randolph, and Heidi Belitz
  • Nicolet College via Wisconsin Technical College System

Welcome to Medical Terminology . Medical terminology is a language that is used in health care settings. Medical terms are built from Greek and Latin word parts and in addition include acronyms, such as “laser” (light amplification by stimulated emission of radiation), eponyms, such as West Nile Virus (named after a geographical location where the virus was identified) or Alzheimer disease (named after the person who discovered it) and modern-day language terms, such as “nuclear medicine scanner”, which is derived from the English language.

Medical terms are built from four word parts. Those word parts are prefix, word root, suffix, and combining vowel. When a word root is combined with a combining vowel, the word part is referred to as a combining form.

The word root contains the fundamental meaning of the word. It is the core part of the word. Each medical term contains at least one word root.

  • In the word: play/er ( play is the word root)
  • In the medical term: arthr/itis ( arthr – meaning “joint” – is the word root)

Prefixes are located at the beginning of a medical term. The prefix alters the meaning of the medical term. It is important to spell and pronounce prefixes correctly.

  • In the word: re/play (“re” is the prefix)
  • In the medical term: intra/ven/ous (“intra” is the prefix)

Many prefixes that you find in medical terms are common to English language prefixes. A good technique to help with memorization is the following:

  • Start by reviewing the most common prefixes.
  • Consider common English language words that begin with the same prefixes.
  • Compare them to the examples of use in medical terms.

Suffixes are word parts that are located at the end of words. Suffixes can alter the meaning of medical terms. In order to properly spell and pronounce medical terms, it is helpful to learn the suffixes.

  • In the word: king/dom (“-dom” is the suffix)
  • In the medical term: hepat/itis (“-itis” is the suffix)

When defining a medical term you often begin with the meaning of the suffix. For example: hepat/itis would be defined as “inflammation of the liver.”

Combining Vowel

The combining vowel is a word part – most often an o – that helps pronunciation.

The combining vowel is placed to connect two word roots or to connect a word root and a suffix. Do NOT place a combining vowel to connect a prefix and a word root. Not all medical terms will have combining vowels.

Table 1.1 Combining Vowel Guidelines

Query \(\PageIndex{1}\)

Categories of medical terms.

All medical terms are divided into two basic categories:

  • terms built from word parts
  • terms NOT built from word parts

Table: 1.2 Categories of Medical Terms

Medical terms are also further divided into:

  • Disease and Disorder – These are terms that describe any harmful deviation from the normal structural or functional state of an organism, generally associated with certain signs and symptoms. It does not include physical injury. An example of a disease is bronchopneumonia, which is a diseased state of the bronchi and lungs.
  • Diagnostic/Procedural – These are terms related to the process of identifying a disease, condition, or injury from its signs and symptoms. An example of a diagnostic term is transrectal ultrasound, which is an ultrasound procedure used to diagnose prostate cancer.
  • Therapeutic – These are terms regarding treating or curing of diseases. An example of a therapeutic term is nebulizer, which is a device that creates a mist used to deliver medication for respiratory treatment.
  • Anatomical – These are terms used to describe specific areas and movement of the body as well as the relation of body parts to each other. An example of an anatomical term is medial, which describes the middle or direction toward the middle of the body.

Language Rules

Language rules are a good place to start when building a medical terminology foundation. Many medical terms are built from word parts and can be translated literally. At first, literal translations sound awkward. Once you build a medical vocabulary and become proficient at using it, the awkwardness will slip away. For example, suffixes will no longer be stated and will be assumed. The definition of intravenous then becomes within the vein .

Since you are at the beginning of building your medical terminology foundation stay literal when applicable. It should be noted that as with all language rules there are always exceptions and we refer to those as rebels.

By the end of this resource, you will have identified hundreds of word parts within medical terms. Here are some common medical terms that many non-medically trained people may be familiar with.

Osteoarthritis Oste/o/arthr/itis – Inflammation of bone and joint. Oste/o is a combining form that means bone arthr/o is a combining form that means joint -itis is a suffix that means inflammation

Intravenous Intra/ven/ous – Pertaining to within a vein. Intra- is a prefix that means within ven/o – is a combining form that means vein -ous is a suffix that means pertaining to

When breaking down words place slashes between word parts and a slash on each side of a combining vowel. Notice how the term is defined by beginning with the meaning of the suffix, then shifts to the beginning of the term with the meaning of the word parts in the order they appear.

Pronunciation

Special marking above vowels indicate the proper pronunciation of the vowel. When you see a macron (or straight line) above the vowel, that means the vowel sound is long. A u-shaped symbol above a vowel indicates a short vowel sound. CAPITAL letters indicate where to place the emphasis when pronouncing a word. The table below provides examples, try pronouncing them aloud.

Table 1.3 Combining Vowels Tips

Table 1.4 Combining Vowels Tips

Table 1.5 Word Parts and Combining Forms

Table 1.6 Medical Terminology Learning Techniques

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Suffixes are word parts that are located at the end of words. Suffixes can alter the meaning of medical terms. It is important to spell and pronounce suffixes correctly.

Suffixes in medical terms are common to English language suffixes. Suffixes are not always explicitly stated in the definition of a word. It is common that suffixes will not be explicitly stated when defining a medical term in the workplace. However, when transcribing or reading medical reports the suffix is always clearly written. In order to properly spell and pronounce medical terms, it is helpful to learn the suffixes.

A word part added to the end of a word that changes the meaning of the word root.

pertaining to the heart

toward the back

pertaining to the side

pain in the muscles

less then expected (amount) of amnion fluid

Process that removes antibodies from the plasma portion of blood

Pertaining to appendages

pertaining to the arteries that supply the heart

grave or serious muscle weakness

Cancer that starts in the mucous glands

swelling of the scrotum cause by fluid collection in the sheath surrounding the testicle

surgical puncture (using a needle) to remove amniotic fluid for sampling.

to secrete externally, directly or through a duct

false pregnancy (patient has signs and symptoms of pregnancy but is not pregnant)

White blood cell(s)

surgical fusion of a joint through ossification of bones

A group of symptoms that occur (run together) that are associated with a specific disease or pathology.

new birth/ newborn - birth to four weeks.

Pertaining to the esophagus

Walls of the bronchi are thickened out (expanded) with inflammation and infection because cilli can no longer sweep out debris leading to dyspnea.

surgical removal of (part or all of) the stomach.

The vomiting of blood

Lack of (without) sufficeint healthy red blood cells in the blood

Condition of increased production of urine

Substance or agent that produces or causes malformations

causing cancer

radiographic image of electrical activity in the heart

instrument used to record electrical activity within the heart

process of recording electrical activity of the heart

condition of a fast heart (rate)

Condition of stones in the common bile duct

Specialist who studies the mind

Specialty of the mind

After a seizure

pertaining to the front

state of excessive production of thyroid hormone

inflammation of the colon

Specialist who studies and treats cancer

Study of the heart

dissolution of a blood clot

softening of cartilage

enlarged stomach

instrument used to measure temperature

Process of measuring the function of the lungs by measuring inhalation and exhalation of breath

resembling fat

tumour that develops in the melanocytes

double vision

process of viewing living tissue to examine for presence, cause or extend of disease

abnormal condition of excessive production of red blood cells

pertaining to within the vein

slight paralysis of one side of the body (right or left)

disease of many nerves

abnormal reduction in number of (healthy) red blood cells produced

difficult digestion

surgical fixation of they vagina by suturing it to the abdominal wall

difficulty swallowing

Aversion or sensitivity to light

growing together

excessive development or growth

substance that composes cells

surgical repair of the nasal cavity

paralysis of eye muscle(s)

difficult breathing

formation of white blood cells

prolapsed kidney

excessive or uncontrolled bleeding from the blood vessels

Excessive bleeding from the nasal cavity (nose bleed) also called epistaxis

suturing of the gall bladder for repair

excessive flow or discharge from the nasal cavity (runny nose)

Rupture of the amniotic sac

Fallopian tube fills with pus

malignant cancer of the skeletal muscles

Congenital fissure of the skull. The bones of the skull fail to close.

hardening of arteries

instrument used to visualize the uterus

visual examination of the pelvis

process of viewing the stomach

blood vessels contract involuntarily (vasoconstriction) resulting in restricted blood flow

the process by which the body seals a ruptured blood vessel to prevent further blood loss

constriction or narrowing of the ureter

creation of artificial opening between the kidney and the skin

blood in the chest cavity

difficult birth

instrument used to cut skin

incision into the abdominal cavity

surgical crushing of stones in the common bile duct

excessive development; increase in the size of cells but not the number of cells

innermost layer of the heart

Urinating at night (usually excessive)

Building a Medical Terminology Foundation Copyright © 2020 by Kimberlee Carter and Marie Rutherford is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License , except where otherwise noted.

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Appendix A: Word Parts and What They Mean

Here is a list of word parts. They may be at the beginning, in the middle, or at the end of a medical word.

General Words

Body parts and disorders, positions and directions, numbers and amounts, physical properties and shapes, good and bad, procedures, diagnosis and surgery.

Medical Roots, Prefixes & Suffixes

OpenMD’s index includes 750 common roots, prefixes, and suffixes. When available, the original Greek or Latin term is provided in parentheses after the English definition.

Three standard word elements—roots, prefixes, and suffixes—are used to construct most medical terms. The definition of each term is drawn from the meaning of its constituent parts. By recognizing common word parts and their meanings, you'll be able to decipher the definitions of hundreds of medical terms.

  • Prefix: When included, the prefix appears at the beginning of a medical term. It usually indicates a location, direction, type, quality, or quantity.
  • Root: The root gives a term its essential meaning. Nearly all medical terms contain at least one root. A vowel (usually the letter “o”) may be added to the root to aid in pronunciation. Together, the root and vowel are called the combining form .
  • Suffix: The suffix appears at the end of a term and may indicate a specialty, test, procedure, function, disorder, or status. Otherwise, it may define whether the word is a noun, verb, or adjective.

For more on medical terminology, see OpenMD's Introduction to Medical Terminology .

Library Home

Medical Terminology for Healthcare Professions

(8 reviews)

thesis suffix medical term

Andrea M. Nelson, University of West Florida

Katherine Greene, University of West Florida

Copyright Year: 2021

Publisher: University of West Florida Pressbooks

Language: English

Formats Available

Conditions of use.

Attribution

Learn more about reviews.

Reviewed by Wendy Schuh, Assistant Professor, Minnesota State University Mankato on 2/8/24

This book is clearly laid out with 18 different chapters covering all of the body systems + obstetrics. There are interactive figures, flash cards, and end of chapter quizzes. Vocabulary words have a linked definition within the text. It would be... read more

Comprehensiveness rating: 5 see less

This book is clearly laid out with 18 different chapters covering all of the body systems + obstetrics. There are interactive figures, flash cards, and end of chapter quizzes. Vocabulary words have a linked definition within the text. It would be an added benefit to include pronunciation, which is an important component of medical terminology. Videos have a captioning option.

Content Accuracy rating: 5

No concerns with accuracy.

Relevance/Longevity rating: 5

References are included with each chapter. Publication date is 2021, and most references are within the last five years. In addition, this content is mostly stable over the years. CrashCourse videos are a little older (2015) but many students are familiar with Hank Green in this format. Information is relevant and easy to process.

Clarity rating: 5

Clear chapter content, sections, and headings.

Consistency rating: 5

Consistent style of writing, activities, page layout, etc. throughout the book.

Modularity rating: 5

Chapters organized in a logical manner. Flashcards and interactive body part activities are wonderful tools, even better since they can be completed multiple times.

Organization/Structure/Flow rating: 4

The structure of the textbook is sound and consistent with other medical terminology textbooks. A more thorough Table of Contents would allow for easier navigation. It has a good balance of technical and non-technical writing that makes it easy to read and comprehend.

Interface rating: 3

Appealing and interactive. I attempted to take advantage of the “re-use” option below each activity but could not figure it out. Search function does not work well. I tried searching phrases directly from the text, and it would not pull up. The labeling activities were difficult to complete as the drag and drop feature would not scroll. Therefore, it would be useful to have a correct answer option to see the completed figure. It would be helpful to have descriptions included with different e-book options that explain interactive functions with each format.

Grammatical Errors rating: 5

Very clean and proofed!

Cultural Relevance rating: 5

Appeared to be culturally inclusive, although it is difficult to assess in this type of resource. No diverse representation of skin color on diagrams.

This is a great textbook that mimics other medical terminology textbooks costing $100+ that don’t have interactive components. There could be some great additions to more effectively use this for a course textbook, such as a question bank, study guides, and suggestions for worksheets and projects to incorporate points into a course framework.

Reviewed by Sharon Schaeffer, Associate Clinical Professor, Bowling Green State University on 4/16/23

Covers major body systems . read more

Covers major body systems .

I did not see any errors during my review.

Medical terminology is a pretty static topic. When students learn how to correctly combine forms, they will be ready to decipher new vocabulary that comes with progress in health care.

Easy to understand.

The depth of content is consistent.

I will allow students to choose their topic of the week after the first 3 chapters are complete. The module system will work well for this design. This design allows students taking A & P or similar courses the opportunity to learn med term at the same time as they are learning in other courses.

Organization/Structure/Flow rating: 5

Well organized.

Interface rating: 5

I had no challenges linking to and using the added features.

No problems noted.

Inclusive content.

This book will help my students learn the basics of medical terminology as a foundation for building a strong professional vocabulary. I like the interactive activities in this book as it helps learners of different styles. It would be a bonus if there were quiz question banks available. It is not enough of a deal breaker to stop me from using this in my course next Spring semester.

Reviewed by Kristin Meyer, Professor, Drake University on 12/15/22

The text comprehensively covers medical terms in each body system, with a couple of introductory chapters. It covers the span of life with a dedicated obstetrics chapter, which I have not seen in other texts. read more

The text comprehensively covers medical terms in each body system, with a couple of introductory chapters. It covers the span of life with a dedicated obstetrics chapter, which I have not seen in other texts.

No inaccuracies identified.

Medical terminology does not easily or often change, but the text could be easily updated from time to time to include new disease states or terms.

No issues with clarity identified.

Each chapter has a consistent format with link to video overview and active learning activities interspersed throughout.

The organization by body system allows an instructor to assign the appropriate amount of content to correspond with course credit hours.

The online version is easy to navigate. The search function doesn't work as I would expect it to.

Interface rating: 4

The online version is easy to navigate. The pdf download has none of the interactive features. It would be nice if the pdf version could somehow include the active learning exercises in each chapter, with an answer key appendix.

No grammatical errors identified.

Does not appear to be culturally insensitive.

I could easily adopt this text for my web-instructed undergraduate medical terminology class. The interactive features are helpful to engage students. A summary quiz at the end of each chapter would be a nice added feature.

Reviewed by Nancy Bouchard, Adjunct Professor, North Shore Community College on 11/14/22

Very well done. read more

Very well done.

Very accurate and not biased.

If updates are needed, they could be added with ease.

Well written text.

Very consistent.

Very user friendly. Easy to read and assign chapters.

Very organized.

I did not encounter any issues.

None noticed.

Not insensitive or offensive.

My only concern is for the student who has no prior exposure to medical terminology, healthcare training or will not have a clinical role in healthcare. I would not want them to get overwhelmed by the depth of detail in each chapter. I would suggest a section in each chapter that contains exercises for students to test their understanding of the subject matter read, practice correctly writing the terms and the like. Visual learning is only one way for students to absorb content. I would have to create ways to test their understanding to be graded using quizzes, a research project, midterm and final exam. I'm on the fence if the content in the textbook is too deep for only needing a basic understanding of medical terms.

Reviewed by Martha Fabian-Krause, Adjunct Clinical Instructor, Rogue Community College on 9/1/22

Systematic flow of each body system to include root word, prefix, suffix, anatomy, physiology, video and practice in each section. Logical to follow. read more

Systematic flow of each body system to include root word, prefix, suffix, anatomy, physiology, video and practice in each section. Logical to follow.

No issues noted. Very accurate.

Timeless interpretation of terminology would make the on line text need updating only if new medical information becomes available.

Detailed explanations of terminology, anatomy and physiology with pertinent examples and word practice at the end of each body system.

Each section is consistent by acknowledging medical diseases, disorders, and procedures related to the root words. Good follow through in each body system.

This on line book can be assigned in a particular order relevant to other class material and does not need to be completed in any particular time frame. Pleasurable reading.

The format of each section (body system) is in a progressive fashion and is put together with a video near the beginning and word games at the end of each section. Good sequencing noted throughout.

Charts are easy to navigate. There is an identical format what is easy to assimilate.

None noted.

No diversive issues noted. Represents the full spectrum of human anatomy and physiology.

Marvelous understanding of the root words, prefix, suffix and detailed anatomy and physiology. The videos and word matches at the end of each section put the meaning crystal clear.

Reviewed by Carla Tobin, Faculty, Century College on 6/17/22

This textbook covers all of the body systems, the word parts and rules, and prefixes and suffixes. read more

This textbook covers all of the body systems, the word parts and rules, and prefixes and suffixes.

This book is very accurate. No discrepancies or errors were noted in the textbook.

Medical terminology is a subject that does not change over the years. As new diseases and technologies arise, they can easily be incorporated into the content.

The language used in the book is clear and pronunciations of the terminology is provided throughout the e-book. This is an easy to read book for high school or college level students.

The chapters are consistent in there format and organization throughout the textbook. It is easy to follow for the student.

The chapters are broken down into sections which make it easy to read. The videos are shown within the textbook, so the user is not taken to another site. One suggestion would be to have a link to the next chapter at the bottom of the page rather than scrolling up to the top to choose the next chapter from the left side menu.

The organization of this textbook is exactly what you would expect for a Medical Terminology textbook. It is divided into chapters by body system.

There are no apparent issues with the interface. As noted above, the videos are shown within the textbook window, so the user is not taken to another site.

I did not note any grammatical errors in this textbook.

Cultural sensitivity is not really relevant with medical terminology. This language is used in many countries in order to be able to communicate in the same language.

I agree that the best use of this book in the online internet version. This is a very comprehensive medical terminology book. It covers all of the body systems and word building of medical terminology. The chapters provide many opportunities to practice what the student has learned. I liked that each chapter has the learning objectives listed at the beginning. I would have liked to see chapter summaries for the students to study. I think that this book could easily be incorporated into an online class, however, some work would be involved making PowerPoints, homework and quizzes. Overall, this is an excellent Medical Terminology book.

Reviewed by Renee Eaton, Advanced Instructor, Undergraduate Director, Virginia Tech on 5/17/22

Systems-based organization and includes all body systems. read more

Systems-based organization and includes all body systems.

No errors or issues noted

Medical terminology is something that rarely changes. Context activities may change over time, as does disease prevalence and knowledge, but new terms or different terms are not common.

Clear descriptions and use of technical and non-technical language.

The organization is the same across each chapter making the book easy to access and navigate. Language and flow are consistent.

Text is easy to navigate. It may be helpful to provide some in-chapter navigation on the lower menu bar. For example, the previous and next chapters are linked on the left and right margins of the bottom, and chapter components such as diseases / anatomy / etc. could be added to the center. It may not all fit, but even having a couple of navigation points within the chapter would be helpful.

Good organization and order of chapters.

This is one of my greatest difficulties. Navigation within chapters would be helpful. The incorporation of activities, particularly the labeling activities and Medical Terms in Context, are difficult with a regular laptop screen. The text and answer selections are often not on the same screen, making the activity more tedious to complete. Some of the labeling activities also have large images that put the image and answer selections on different screens. The "Did You Know", "Objectives" and colored boxes contain wasted space. They're excessively large especially in the header, and when viewing on a laptop is often half the screen if not more. The PDF version often has issues of inconsistent font size and misalignment of tables.

No grammatical errors found. I appreciated the bold and linked words, with the ability to see definitions with one click. It might be helpful to have a sidebar with the important words and definitions / information in the section, but that might not be feasible with formatting.

Hard to assess for medical terminology.

The best way to use this text is online with solid internet. The PDF version is frustrating as there are no activities or practice opportunities, and there are issues with the organization and appearance such as misaligned tables and font size differences. When internet is good but not great, none of the videos are viewable. The activities and practice opportunities in the online book are very helpful and enjoyable. Their length is appropriate to encourage use and they are strategically placed throughout the chapters. I did have trouble with the search tool, as things I entered went to the glossary but always included the beginning of the glossary. For example, a search for "diplopia" showed the following:

Abdominal Pertaining to the abdomen (National Cancer Institute, n.d.) Abdominoplasty Surgical repair of the abdomen (National Library of Medicine, 2021) Abduction Moving the limb or hand laterally away from the body, or spreading the fingers or toes (Betts et al., 2013) Abductor Moves the bone away from the midline (Betts et al., 2013) Ablation The Read more » Sensory Systems

Learning Objectives Examine the anatomy of the sensory systems Determine the main functions of the sensory systems Differentiate the medical terms of the sensory systems and common abbreviations Discover the medical specialties associated with the sensory systems Recognize common diseases, disorders, and procedures related to the sensory systems Sensory Systems Word Parts Click on prefixes, Read more »

Overall, the authors did a wonderful job of developing a thorough and practical text. I appreciate the thought that went into the interactive nature of the book and the availability to exercises to practice knowledge.

Reviewed by Debra Minzola, Associate Professor, Bloomsburg University of Pennsylvania on 3/18/22

This textbook is very inclusive in the content area. It not only discusses the word but breaks down medical terminology to help learners to easily decipher the meaning of a medical term . read more

This textbook is very inclusive in the content area. It not only discusses the word but breaks down medical terminology to help learners to easily decipher the meaning of a medical term .

There was no inaccuracies detected throughout the text.

This text is very relevant and will easily be updated if needed.

This is an easy to read text and would be a valuable resource for new learners. The ebook offers videos and learning activities throughout.

The text is internally consistent with an easy to follow framework.

The modules in this text are easy to navigate and locate specialty sections.

This text is clearly organized and easy to navigate.

There is no significant navigation problems or confusing features.

There is clear grammar throughout the text.

There is no offensive content in this textbook or language that can be viewed as culturally insensitive.

Learning objectives are listed at the introduction of each section followed by a guide on how to break down each system's medical terms. Throughout each section there are diagrams, charts, and additional videos in the ebook which reinforces the content. The book is organized and easy to navigate.

Table of Contents

  • 1. Word Parts and Rules
  • 2. Prefixes and Suffixes
  • 3. Body Terminology
  • 4. Sensory Systems
  • 5. Integumentary System
  • 6. Skeletal System
  • 7. Muscular System
  • 8. Nervous System
  • 9. Cardiovascular System
  • 10. Blood Vessels and Blood
  • 11. Lymphatic and Immune Systems
  • 12. Respiratory System
  • 13. Digestive System
  • 14. Endocrine System
  • 15. Urinary System
  • 16. Male Reproductive System
  • 17. Female Reproductive System
  • 18. Obstetrics

Ancillary Material

About the book.

Medical Terminology for Healthcare Professions is an Open Educational Resource (OER) that focuses on breaking down, pronouncing, and learning the meaning of medical terms within the context of anatomy and physiology. This resource is targeted for Healthcare Administration, Health Sciences, and Pre-Professional students.

About the Contributors

Andrea M. Nelson , PT, DPT, GCS, CLT, University of West Florida

Katherine Greene , MPH, University of West Florida

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3.2 Prefixes for Location

Prefixes are often used for terms related to locations both within and outside the body. It is important to note that although some prefixes are very similar in meaning and spelling, the way they are used varies greatly. Examples will be provided that demonstrate the proper use of prefixes in medical terms related to location. Some of these prefixes were introduced earlier in the book; however, the their use can be complex, and it is important to understand these concepts fully.

Table 3.1. Prefixes

image shows  abduction and adduction

Key Concept

Table 3.2. Prefixes

The endocrine system is made up of a series of glands that regulate hormones throughout the body; all the endocrine glands are shown in Fig. 3.3. It is important to differentiate between endocrine glands and exocrine glands (Fig. 3.4). Endocrine glands secrete hormones within the body and the blood, whereas exocrine glands secrete chemicals outside the body (Betts et al., 2013). Their names suggest their function in that endo- means “within” and exo- means “out” (Betts et al., 2013).

Table 3.3. Prefixes

image of normal pregnancy and an ectopic pregnancy

An ectopic pregnancy is a pregnancy outside its normal location. Fig. 3.5 shows the normal location of a pregnancy within the uterus and an ectopic pregnancy in an ovary, cervix, fallopian tubes, or abdomen. An ectopic pregnancy can be life threatening because the developing embryo has no room to grow. This condition can result in the surrounding area rupturing and causing the individual to hemorrhage internally (Betts et al., 2013).

As can be seen from Table 3.3, there are a number of prefixes with similar meanings. They are, however, used very differently in medical terminology. With practice and familiarity, it will become easier to know which prefix to use for a particular term.

Table 3.4. Prefixes

image of an epidural

An epidural (Fig. 3.6) involves some form of injection into a patient’s spine to stop feeling to the area of the body below that point in the spinal cord. Epidurals are performed on patients in labour or for surgery to the lower extremities (NHS, 2020). A similar procedure is called a lumbar puncture  or spinal tap , which involves taking a sample spinal fluid for analysis.

Table 3.5. Prefixes

Intradermal injection

Intradermal injections are commonly used for tuberculosis testing, analgesics, anesthetics, and allergy testing. An intradermal injection is placed just below the skin surface, as seen in Fig. 3.7. Another use of the prefix intra- (“within”) is seen in the medical term intrauterine device (Fig. 3.8), which is a means of birth control that is placed within the uterus.

Table 3.6. Prefixes

parathyroid glands

The parathyroid glands are located “along the side of” (para- ) the thyroid gland. There are four of them, two on each side of the thyroid, and they are a part of the endocrine system. Fig 3.9 shows the location of the parathyroid glands (in pink) with the thyroid gland beneath.

The pericardium “surrounds” ( peri- ) the heart, and it both holds the heart in place and protects it (Medline Plus, 2022a). In Fig. 3.10, you can see that the pericardium provides cushioning for the heart, similar to the manner that the balloon in the figure is cushioning the fist.

Table 3.7. Prefixes

cochlear implant

There are various types of medical prostheses , and the term prosthesis comes from the suffix -thesis (“put” or “place”) and the prefix pros- (“before” or “forward”); it literally means “to place before,” as in replacement. Prostheses, or prosthetic implants, can be used to replace a missing body part or function and are intended to restore normal function. A cochlear implant (Fig. 3.11) is an example of a medical prosthesis and is used to treat sensorineural deafness (Yawn et al., 2015).

Table 3.8. Prefixes

retroperitoneal

The two prefixes in Table 3.8 have the same meaning but are used differently depending on the medical term. The prefix re- (“back” or “behind”) can be found in terms such as relapse and remission . Relapse has the suffix -lapse (“to slide”), which makes the literal meaning “to slide back.” Patients experience a relapse when their symptoms come back, which is the opposite of a remission. Remission has the suffix -mission (“to send”), which makes the literal meaning “to send back.” When a patient is in remission, their symptoms and pathology lessen or go away.

The term retroperitoneal literally means “pertaining to” ( -al ) “behind” ( retro- ) “the peritoneum” ( peritone/o ). The retroperitoneal space contains the kidneys, adrenal glands, pancreas, nerve roots, lymph nodes, abdominal aorta, and inferior vena cava (Medline Plus, 2022b). Fig. 3.12 is an image of the retroperitoneal space and the organs present within it.

Table 3.9. Prefixes

Types of brain hemorrhage

Figure 3.13 above was introduced earlier in the book and shows four different types of brain hematomas and hemorrhages . Now that you have a better understanding of prefixes, it is possible to interpret the different types shown in the diagram:

  • An epidural hematoma is a mass of blood “above” ( epi- ) the dura mater.
  • A subdural hematoma is a mass of blood “below” ( sub- ) the dura mater.
  • A subarachnoid hemorrhage is excessive bleeding “below” ( sub- ) the arachnoid, which is a thin layer of tissue on the dura mater (Cleveland Clinic, 2022).
  • The final type of hemorrhage in this figure is the intracerebral hemorrhage , which literally means “pertaining to” ( -al ) “withi”n ( intra- ) “the cerebrum” ( cerebr/o ).

Table 3.10. Prefixes

transdermal patch

A transdermal   patch is an effective route for giving medication to a patient. The medication is absorbed “through” ( trans- ) the skin.  Nicotine patches are a common example of this medication route. Other common uses for transdermal patches include birth control, nitroglycerin for angina, and analgesics for pain. Fig. 3.14 shows an example of a transdermal patch being applied to a patient.

Transurethral resection of the prostate (TURP) is a procedure often used to treat benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) (Johns Hopkins, 2022). Fig. 3.15 shows the procedure being completed using an instrument that is placed “through” ( trans- ) the urethra to remove some of the enlarged prostate.

Attribution

Unless otherwise indicated, material on this page has been adapted from the following resource:

Carter, K., & Rutherford, M. (2020). Building a medical terminology foundation. eCampusOntario. https://ecampusontario.pressbooks.pub/medicalterminology/ licensed under  CC BY 4.0

Betts, J. G., Young, K. A., Wise, J. A., Johnson, E., Poe, B., Kruse, D. H., Korol, O., Johnson, J. E., Womble, M., & DeSaix, P. (2013). Anatomy and physiology. OpenStax. https://openstax.org/details/books/anatomy-and-physiology licensed under CC BY 4.0

Cleveland Clinic. (2022). Meninges . https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/articles/22266-meninges

Johns Hopkins. (2022). Transurethral resection of the prostate (TURP). https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/health/treatment-tests-and-therapies/transurethral-resection-of-the-prostate-turp#:~:text=A%20transurethral%20resection%20of%20the%20prostate%20(TURP)%20is%20surgery%20to,about%2012%20inches%20long%20and%20

Medline Plus. (2022a). Pericardial disorders. https://medlineplus.gov/pericardialdisorders.html#:~:text=The%20pericardium%20is%20a%20membrane,an%20inflammation%20of%20the%20sac

Medline Plus. (2022b). Retroperitoneal inflammation. https://medlineplus.gov/ency/article/001255.htm

NHS. (2022). Overview: Epidural . https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/epidural/#:~:text=An%20epidural%20is%20an%20injection,in%20some%20types%20of%20surgery

RxList. (2021). Definition of abduction. https://www.rxlist.com/abduction/definition.htm

Yawn, R., Hunter, J. B., Sweeney, A. D., & Bennett, M. L. (2015). Cochlear implantation: a biomechanical prosthesis for hearing loss.  F1000Prime Reports , 7, 45. https://doi.org/10.12703/P7-45

Image Credits (images are listed in order of appearance)

Ab add and circumduction by Connexions, CC BY 3.0

Kidney and adrenal gland by Alan Hoofring, Public domain

1801 The Endocrine System by OpenStax , CC BY 3.0

Endocrine vs. Exocrine by Mntrue15, CC BY-SA 4.0

Ectopic Pregnancy by BruceBlaus , CC BY-SA 4.0

Epidural-anesthesia by Leila Kafshdooz, Houman Kahroba, Tayebeh Kafshdooz, Roghayeh Sheervalilou, and Hojjat Pourfathi, CC BY 4.0

Intradermal injection by British Columbia Institute of Technology (BCIT) , CC BY 4.0

Alat-kontrasepsi-IUD by Pentiumsoak, CC BY-SA 4.0

Parathyroid by BodyParts3D and DBCLS, CC BY-SA 2.1 JP

Serous Membrane by Connexions, CC BY 3.0

Cochlear Implant by BruceBlaus , CC BY-SA 4.0

Retroperitoneal spaces by Goran Mitreski and Tom Sutherland, CC BY 4.0

An illustration of the different types of brain hemorrhage by myUpchar , CC BY-SA 4.0

Applying transdermal patch by British Columbia Institute of Technology (BCIT) , CC BY 4.0

Urologist performing a TURP by UroJet, CC BY-SA 4.0

The act of moving (taking) away from

Pertaining to near the kidneys; small, triangular glands located on top of the kidneys

To secrete within; for example, endocrine glands secrete hormones

To secrete outside; for example, exocrine glands

Pertaining to out of place or position; often used in reference to an ectopic pregnancy, which is a pregnancy that occurs outside its normal location in the uterus

Pertaining to outside the vascular system

Excessive discharge of blood, often from a trauma

Pertaining to upon the dura mater

The process of cutting into

Pertaining to between cells

Pertaining to within the skin

Pertaining to beside the thyroid

A structure surrounding the heart

Pertaining to before clotting

To place in front; an artificial limb

To slide back

Pertaining to behind the peritoneum

Pertaining to under the dura mater

Pertaining to above the pubic region

A mass of blood

Pertaining to across the skin

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  1. Medical Suffixes Made Easy: List, Meanings, Example Terminology, Quiz

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  2. What Is a Suffix in Medical Terminology (2023)

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    thesis suffix medical term

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  6. Suffix Ectomy|Clinical anatomy BD chaurasia Chapter 1

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  1. 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 Neo-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 vowel, usually -o-.

  2. 1.4: Suffix

    1.4: Suffix. Page ID. Suffixes are word parts that are located at the end of words. Suffixes can alter the meaning of medical terms. It is important to spell and pronounce suffixes correctly. Suffixes in medical terms are common to English language suffixes. Suffixes are not always explicitly stated in the definition of a word.

  3. Suffixes

    Suffixes are word parts that are located at the end of words. Suffixes can alter the meaning of medical terms. It is important to spell and pronounce suffixes correctly. Many suffixes in medical terms are common English-language suffixes. Suffixes are not always explicitly stated in the definition of a word.

  4. Prefixes and Suffixes

    Suffixes. Suffixes are word parts that are located at the end of words. Suffixes can alter the meaning of medical terms. It is important to spell and pronounce suffixes correctly. Suffixes in medical terms are common to English language suffixes. Suffixes are not always explicitly stated in the definition of a word.

  5. 1.2: Prefixes and Suffixes

    Suffixes. Suffixes are word parts that are located at the end of words. Suffixes can alter the meaning of medical terms. It is important to spell and pronounce suffixes correctly. Suffixes in medical terms are common to English language suffixes. Suffixes are not always explicitly stated in the definition of a word.

  6. 1.1: Identifying Word Parts in Medical Terms

    Suffixes can alter the meaning of medical terms. In order to properly spell and pronounce medical terms, it is helpful to learn the suffixes. ExamplesF. In the word: king/dom ("-dom" is the suffix) In the medical term: hepat/itis ("-itis" is the suffix) When defining a medical term you often begin with the meaning of the suffix.

  7. 1.5 Suffixes

    1.5 Suffixes. A suffix is a word part that is located at the end of a word. It can alter the meaning of a medical term. It is important to spell and pronounce suffixes correctly. When writing a suffix, if it is not in a medical term, you must place a "-" before the suffix. Suffixes are not always explicitly stated in the definition of a ...

  8. Suffix

    4. Suffix. Suffixes are word parts that are located at the end of words. Suffixes can alter the meaning of medical terms. It is important to spell and pronounce suffixes correctly. Suffixes in medical terms are common to English language suffixes. Suffixes are not always explicitly stated in the definition of a word.

  9. Medical Suffixes Made Easy: List, Meanings, Example Terminology, Quiz

    Medical Terminology: Prefix (Beginning) is the descriptive part of the word; Root (Middle) is the subject of the term; Suffix (Ending) brings meaning to the word Medical Suffixes - Procedures As mentioned above, medical suffixes bring meaning to the term and often describe a procedure, test, diagnosis, condition, or process.

  10. Introduction to Medical Terminology

    Suffixes. Medical terms always end with a suffix. 3 The suffix usually indicates a specialty, test, procedure, function, condition/disorder, or status. For example, "itis" means inflammation and "ectomy" means removal. Alternatively, the suffix may simply make the word a noun or adjective. For example, the endings -a, -e, -um, and -us ...

  11. 2.4 Additional Suffixes

    It is important to note that all the suffixes in Table 2.26 (-iatrist, -iatry, -logist, -logy) are very similar but have slightly different meanings.The context determines which suffix is used in a medical term. For example, nephrology means "the study of the kidneys," whereas a nephrologist is a specialist who treats kidney disease. In fig. 2.39 and 2.40 there are different specialists at ...

  12. PDF Guide to Common Medical Terminology

    Provided by Guide to Common Medical Terminology The Academic Center for Excellence 1 December 2020 . Guide to Common Medical Terminology . There are some helpful techniques you can use to increase your understanding of medical terminology. Most medical terms contain at least one root, and they may also contain one or more prefixes or suffixes.

  13. Common Suffixes In Medical Terminology

    GlobalRPh Medical Terminology Section .box { width: 350px; height: 55px; border: 1px solid #999; font-size: 18px; color: #1c87c9; background-color: #eee; border-radius: 5px; box-shadow: 4px 4px #ccc;margin:auto;overflow: hidden; } *Alphabetical listing of med terms *Quiz yourself - Speed learning *Prefixes denoting numbers *Prefixes denoting position and/or direction *Prefixes denoting ...

  14. Appendix A: Word Parts and What They Mean

    surgical opening. -tomy. cutting; incision. -tripsy. crushing. Learn how parts of medical words are put together with the Understanding Medical Words tutorial on MedlinePlus.

  15. Common Medical Roots, Prefixes & Suffixes

    Prefix: When included, the prefix appears at the beginning of a medical term. It usually indicates a location, direction, type, quality, or quantity. Root: The root gives a term its essential meaning. Nearly all medical terms contain at least one root. A vowel (usually the letter "o") may be added to the root to aid in pronunciation.

  16. Medical Terminology for Healthcare Professions

    Contribute to this Page. Medical Terminology for Healthcare Professions is an Open Educational Resource (OER) that focuses on breaking down, pronouncing, and learning the meaning of medical terms within the context of anatomy and physiology. This resource is targeted for Healthcare Administration, Health Sciences, and Pre-Professional students.

  17. Medical Terms and Abbreviations: Merriam-Webster Medical Dictionary

    Medical Dictionary. Search medical terms and abbreviations with the most up-to-date and comprehensive medical dictionary from the reference experts at Merriam-Webster. Master today's medical vocabulary. Become an informed health-care consumer!

  18. 1.4 Combining Forms

    1.4 Combining Forms. Combining forms are the combination of the root and the combining vowel. The root gives the essential meaning of the medical term. The combining vowel is usually an o but occasionally an i. The following tables go through some of the most common combining forms, their meaning, and an example of a medical term that uses the ...

  19. Medical Term Suffixes

    A prefix is that part at the beginning of medical terms. Prefixes are mostly used to indicate location, time, status, or number. An example of a prefix is Epi- in the term epigastric. Some medical ...

  20. Med terms G- med term root list

    Medical terminology is used to precisely describe the human body components, processes, illnesses, medical procedures, and pharmacology. Medical terms are used in the field of medicine, and clinical settings. This section deals with all med terms beginning with the letter G, and features medical roots, prefixes and suffixes.

  21. PDF Medical Terminology TOPIC: Analysing of medical terms I

    W1 Analyzing Medical Terms, Common Prefixes and Suffixes, Organization of the Body. W2 The Integumentary System. W3 The Skeletal System. W4 The Muscular System. W5 The Nervous System. W6 The Special Sense of Sight and Hearing. W7 The Endocrine System. W8 The Cardiovascular System. W9 The Lymphatic System and Immunity.

  22. 3.2 Prefixes for Location

    Key Concept. The two prefixes in Table 3.8 have the same meaning but are used differently depending on the medical term. The prefix re- ("back" or "behind") can be found in terms such as relapse and remission. Relapse has the suffix -lapse ("to slide"), which makes the literal meaning "to slide back.".

  23. Thesis Suffix Medical Term

    Thesis Suffix Medical Term, Thesis Statement Compare Contrast American French Revolution, What Not To Put Into A Argumentive Essay, Strategic Business Plan For Coca Cola Company, Harvard College Application Essay Example, Sports Persuasive Essay Topics, How To Write A Good Personal Statement For College