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Medical Combining Forms Guide

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0% found this document useful (0 votes)
23 views22 pages

Medical Combining Forms Guide

Uploaded by

cm7nhd6ssq
Copyright
© All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd

APPENDIX I

COMBINING FORMS, PREFIXES, SUFFIXES

(combining form - meaning)

a – without; no; not andro – male


ab - away from aneurysmo - aneurysm
abdomeno – abdomen angio – vessel
-ac – pertaining to ankylo – crooked; bent; stiff
acanthoo – thorny; spiny ante - before; forward
acetabulo – acetabulum (hip antero - front
socket) anthraco - coal dust
acouo – hearing anti - against
acro – extremities aorto – aorta
acuo - sharp aponeuro – aponernosis (type of
ad – forward tendon)
adamanto- enamel appendo – appendix
adeno – gland appendico – appendix
adenoido - adenoids aqueo- water
adipo – fat -ar – pertaining to
adreno - adrenal glands -arche - beginning
adrenalo - adrenal glands arteriolo – arteriole; small artery
aero – air arterio - artery
agglutino – clumping; sticking arthro - joint
together articulo – joint
-al – pertaining to -ary - pertaining to
albo – white -ase – enzyme
albumino – protein -asthenia – lack of strength
algesio - excessive sensitivity to atelo- incomplete
pain athero – yellowish plaque; fatty
-algia - pain substance
alveolo - air sac, alveolus atrio - atrium
amblyo - dull; dim audio - hearing
amnio- amnion(sac in which auri - ear
emryo develops) auro - ear
amphi – on both sides auto – self
amylo - starch axillo - armpit
an – no; not; without azoto – nitrogen; urea
ano – anus bacterio – bacteria
ana – up; again; backward balano – glans penis
bartholino – Bartholin’s glands cerebro – brain; cerebrum
baso - base cerumino – cerumen(wax in inner
bene - good ear)
bi – two cervico – neck; neck of uterus
bio - life cheilo - lip
bili – bile; gall chemo – drug; chemical
bilirubino - bilirubin chiro - hand
-blast – immature; embryonic chole - bile; gall
blepharo – eyelid cholecysto – gallbladder
bolo – cast; throw choledocho – common bile duct
brachio - arm chorio – chorion; extra-embrionic
brady - slow membrane
bronchio - bronchial tube chondro - cartilage
broncho - bronchial tube chromo- color
bronchiolo- bronchiole; small chrono – time
bronchus cibo – meals
bucco - cheek -cidal - killing
burso – bursa (sac of fluid near cineo- movement
joints) ciso - cut
calco - calcium -clast – break
calcaneo – calcaneus (heel bone) claviculo – clavicle(collar bone)
calcio – calcium -clysis – washing; irrigation
calio - calyx -coccus(-cocci,pl.) - berry-shaped
-capnia – carbon dioxide coccygo – coccyx; tail bone
carcino - cancer colo – colon(large intestine)
cardio – heart colpo - vagina
cario – caries con – with; together
carpo - wrist conio – dust
cata – down conjunctivo - conjubctiva
caudo – tail; lower part of body contra – against; opposite
causo – burn coro- pupil
cautero – heat; burn coreo- pupil
ceco – cecum(first part of large corneo - cornea
intestine) corono - heart
-cele- hernia cortico - cortex
celio – abdomen; belly costo - rib
cemento - cement cranio – skull
-centesis - surgical puncture to craso- disease; mixture
remove fluid -crine – secrete; separate
cephalo – head -crit - separate
cerebello- cerebellum crino - secrete
cryo – cold ecto – outside; out
crypto – hidden -ectomy - surgical
culdo – cul-de- sac removal;excision; resection
cusis- hearing electro - electricity
cutaneo - skin em – in
cyano – blue -emesis - vomitig
cyclo - ciliary body of eye -emia - blood condition
-cyesis - pregnancy emmetro- in due measure
cysto - urinary bladder; sac of -empraxis – obstruction; blockage
fluid en – in; within
-cyte - cell enamelo - enamel
cyto - cell encephalo - brain
-cytosis - condition of cell endo - within
dacryo – tear entero - intestines
dacryoadeno – tear gland eosino – pink; dawn-colored
dacryocysto – tear sac; lacrimal epi – above; upon
sac epididymo - epididymis
dactylo - finger (toe) epiglotto – epiglottis
de - lack of episio – vulva
denti – tooth -er – one who
dentino- dentin ergo- work
-derma - skin erythemo- redness
dermato - skin erythro – red
dermo – skin eso - inward
-desis – binding, fusion esophago - esophagus
di – complete esthesio – feeling
dia – complete, through estro- female
diaphoro - sweat ethmo - sieve
diplo- double etio-cause
dipso - thirst eu - good
disto - far ex - out
dorso – back exo – outside
-drome - run fascio - fascia
ducto - to lead; carry femoro - femur
duodeno - duodenum fibulo – fibula
duro - dura mater fibrino- fibrin
dys – bad; painful; difficult fluoro- luminous
ec – out: outside folliculo - small sac
echo - sound furco – branching
-ectasia – stretching; dilation -fusion – pour
-ectasis- stretching; dilation ganglio - ganglion
gastro – stomach -ia – condition; process
geno –producing; beginning -iasis - condition
-genesis – development; iatro – physician
production; origin;condition of -ic – pertaining to
germo- seed; sprout idio-individual;own; self
gingivo – gums ileo - ileum
glauco- gray ilio - ilium
glio – glue; neurologlial tissue immuno – safe; protection
-globin - protein in – in; not
-globulin - protein infra – below; inferior
glomerulo - glomerulus inguino - groin
glosso - tongue inter - between
gluco - sugar intra – within
glyco – sugar iono - charged particles
glycogeno - glycogen irido – iris
gnatho – jaw iro - iris
gnoso - knowlege ischio - ischium
gonado - sex glands ischo - to hold back
gono – seed iso - equal
-grade - go -ist - specialist
-gram - record -itis - inflammation
granulo - granules jejuno - jejunum
-graph - instrument for recording kali - potassium
-graphy - process of recording karyo - nucleus
gravido- pregnancy kerato – cornea; horny; hard
gyneco – woman; female kinesio – movement
hemo - blood kypho - humpback
hemato - blood labia - lip
hemi - half lacrimo - tear
hepato – liver lacto – milk
hernio- hernia lamino - lamina
hidro - sweat laparo – abdomen; abdominal wall
histo – tissue laryngo – larynx; voice box
histio - tissue latero - side
homeo- constant leiomyo - smooth muscle
humero - humerus leuko - white
hydro - water ligamento - ligament
hyper – above; excessive linguo - tongue
hypno - sleep lipo – fat
hypo – under; below; deficient -lith – stone; calculus
hystero – uterus; womb litho – stone; calculus
lobo - lobe muta - genetic change
-logy – science; study myco – fungus; mold
lordo – swayback; curve myelo - bone marrow
luco- light; transparent myelo - spinal cord
lumbo - lower back; loins myo - muscle
lympho – lymph myoso – muscle
lymphedema – lymph gland myringo- eardrum
lymphangio – lymph vessels mixo - mucus
-lysis – destruction; break down narco – numbness; stupor
- lytic – pertainig to destruction naso - nose
macro - large nati – birth
mal - bad natro- sodium
-malacia - softening necro – death
mammo - breast necto – bind; tie; connect
mandibulo - lower jaw neo - new
masto - breast nephro - kidney
mastoido – mastoid process neuro - nerve
maxillo - upper jaw neutro – neutral
medio- middle nocti- night
medullo - medulla normo - normal
-megaly - enlargement nucleo - nucleus
melano – black oculo - eye
meno – menses; menstruation odonto – tooth
meningio - meninges -odynia - pain
meningo - meninges -oid – resembling
mento- chin -ole – small; little
meso – middle olecrano - elbow
meato- meatus oligo – scanty
meta – beyond; change; near -ology – study of
metacarpo - metacarpas -oma - tumor
-meter - measure onco – tumor; mass
metrio – uterus onycho – nail
metro – uterus ovo - egg
mio – small; less than oophoro - ovary
micro – small -opaque – dark
mimetic – mimic; copy opaco- dark
mito- thread ophthalmo - eye
mono - one -opia - vision
morpho – shape -opsy - view
morto - death -or – one who
muco - mucus orchido - testis
orchio - testis -pexy - fixation
orcho - testis -phagia – eating; swallowing
oro – mouth phago - eat; swallow
-orrhea - flow phalango - phalanges
-orrhagia - bursting forth of blood pharmaco – drug; chemical
-orhaphy – suture pharyngo – pharynx; throat
-orrhexis - rupture phaso – speech
ortho - straight pheo - dusky
-osis – condition; abnormal -pheresis - removal
-osmia - smell -philia - attraction for
osteo – bone philo – attraction to
-ostomy – make a new opening phlebo – vein
oto – ear phobo - fear
-otomy – incision; cut into -phobia - fear
-ous – pertaining to -phonia - sound
ovario - ovary -phonia - voice
ovo - egg -phoresis - transmission
oxo – oxygen -phoria - feeling
pachy- thick, heavy photo - light
pachyo- thick, heavy phreno – diaphragm
palato- palate phreno – mind
pan - all -phylaxis - protection
pancreato - pancreas -physio- nature
papillo - nipple-like -physis – growth
para – near; beside pineo- breathing
-para - birth -plasia - development
parathyroido – rarathyroid glands - plasm - growth
-paresis - slight paralysis -plasty - surgical repair
- partum – delivery; birth; labour -plegia - paralysis
patello – knee cap pleo- more
patho - disease pleuro – pleura
-pathy - disease plexo - plexus
pectoro - chest -pnea - breathing
pelvi – pelvis pneo - breathing
pelvo - pelvis pneumo - lung
-penia - deficiency pneumono – lung
-pepsia - digestion -poiesis – formation
per - through poikilo- irregular
peri – surrounding polio- gray matter
perineo - perineum ponto - pons
peritoneo - peritoneum poly – many
polypo- polyp -rrhexis – rupture
-porosis - passage salpingo – fallopian tube;
post - after eustachian tube
postero - back -salpinx – fallopian tube
-prandial – meal sacro – sacrum
pre – before sarco- flesh
presbyo- old age scapulo - shoulder blade
pro – before schisis – cleft
proteo- first scinti- spark
proteo - protein scirrho- hard
proto - first sclero - sclera
procto - anus -sclerosis – hardening
prostato - prostate gland scolio – crooked; bent
proximo - near -scope - instrument for visual
pseudo - false examination
psycho - mind scopo - visual examination
-ptosis - drooping scoto - darkness
-ptysis – spitting sebo - sebum
pubo – pubic bone sectio - cut
pulmono – lung semi - half
pulpo- pulp sepso - infection
pupillo - pupil sialo – saliva
pyelo - renal pelvis sialadeno – salivary glands
pyloro - pylorus sidero - iron
pyo - pus sigmoido - sigmoid colon
pyro – fever sinuso – sinus
rachio – spinal column somo- body
radi - root somato – body
radio – rays; radius somno – sleep
re - back sono - sound
recto - rectum squamo- scale
reno - kidney -spasm – sudden contraction of
reticulo - network muscles
retino - retina spermato - spermatozoa
retro – behind spermo – spermatozoa
rhabdomyo – striated muscle spheno - wedge
rhino – nose sphero – globe-shaped
ribo- sugar sphygmo - pulse
roentgeno – x-rays spino - spine
-rrhaphy - suture spiro - breathing
-rrhea - flow spleno - spleen
spondylo – vertebra -therapy - treatment
squamo - scale thermo - heat
-stalsis – contraction thoraco - chest
stapedo – stapes -thorax – pleural cavity
staphylo- grapes thrombo - clot
-stasis – stop thymo - thymus gland
-static – stopping thyro - thyroid gland
steato - fat thyroid – thyroid gland
-stenosis - tightening -tic – pertaining to
sterno – sternum tibio – tibia
stetho - chest -tocin – labour; delivery
stereo- three-dimensional -tome - instrument to cut
stero- solid tomo - cut
-sthenia - strength -tomy – surgical cutting
stomato - mouth tonsillo - tonsils
-stomy - to make a new opening topo- place
strepto- twisted chains -tocia - delivery
sub - under toxico - poison
submaxillo - lower jaw toxo - poison
super - above tracheo - trachea
supra - above trans – across
sym - together -tresia - opening
syn – together tricho - hair
syndesmo – ligament -trophy – development,
synovio- synovia nourishment
syringo – tube -tropia - turn
tachy – fast tympano - eardrum
taxo- order -ule – small
taxo - coordination ulno - ulna
tele – distant ultra - beyond
teno – tendon unguo - nail
tendo – tendon uretero - ureter
tendino - tendon urethro - urethra
terato- monster -uria – urination; urine
testo - testis uro – urine
thalamo – thalamus uveo- vascular layer of the eye
thalasso – sea utero – uterus
theo – put; place vagino - vagina
thelo - nipple valvo - valve
theco- sheath, meningeal vaso - vessel
covering veno - vein
ventriculo – ventricle vitreo - glassy
ventro – belly vulvo - vulva
venulo - venule xantho - yellow
vertebro - vertebra xeno- foreign
vesico - urinary bladder xero – dry
viro - virus -y - condition
viscero - internal organs zoo - animal life
vita - life zymo- catalyst
vito - life
(meaning - combining form)

abdomen - abdomino atrium - atrio


abdomen - celio attraction for - -philia
abdominal wall – laparo attraction to - philo
abnormal – para- away from – ab-
above – epi- back - dorso
above – hyper- back – postero
above – super- back – re-
above – supra- back – retro-
acetabulum – acetabulo back, lower – lumbo
across – trans- backbone – spino
adenoids – adenoido backward – ana-
adrenal glands – adreno bacteria - bacterio
adrenal glands - adrenalo bad – dys-
after – post- bad – mal-
again – ana- Bartholians gland – bartholino
against – anti- Base - baso
against – contra- before – ante-
air – aero before – pre-
air – pneumono before – pro-
air - pneumo beginning - -arche
air sac, alveolus - alveolo beginning – geno
all – pan- behind – post-
alveolus - alveolo behind – retro-
amnion - amnio belly - celio
aneurysm - aneurysmo belly side – ventro
animal life - zoo bellow – hypo-
anus - ano below – infra-
anus and rectum - procto bellow – sub-
aorta – aorto bent – ankylo
aponeurosis - aponeuro bent - scolio
appendix - appendo berry-shaped - -coccus
appendix - appendico beside – para-
arm – brachio between – inter-
arm bone, lower jaw – radio between – meta-
arm bone, lower jaw – ulno beyond –hyper-
arm bone, upper – humero beyond – meta-
armpit - axillo beyond – ultra-
arteriole - arteriolo bile - bili
artery - arterio bile – chole
bile duct,common – choledocho calcaneus – calcaneo
bilirubin – bilirubino calcium - calco
bind – necto calcium – calico
binding - -desis calculus - litho
birth – nati calyx - calio
bsrth - -para cancer - carcino
birth - -partum carbon dioxide - -capnia
birth - -tocia carpus – carpo
black – melano carry – ducto
bladder – cysto carrying - -phoresis
bladder – vesico cartilage – chondro
blockage - -emphraxis cast, to – bolo
blood - hemato catalyst – zymo
blood - hemo cause – etio
blood condition - -emia cavity – sinuso
blue - cyano caries - cario
body - somato cecum - ceco
body - -some cell - -cyte
body - somo cell – cyto
bone - osteo cells, condition of - -cytosis
bone marrow – myelo cement - cemento
both sides – amphi- cerebellum - cerebello
brain – cerebro cerumen – cerumino
brain - encephalo cervix – cervico
branching – furco change – meta-
break - -clast change, genetic – muta
breakdown - -lysis charged particles - iono
breast - mammo cheek – bucco
breast – masto chemical – chemo
breastbone - sterno chemical - pharmaco
breathing - spiro chest – pectoro
breathing - pneo chest - stetho
breathing - -pnea chest - thoraco
breathing - pneo chest - -thorax
bronchial tube - bronchio chorion - chorio
bronchial tube - broncho chin - mento
bronchiole – bronchiolo ciliary body - cyclo
burn – causo clavicle - claviculo
burn - cautero cleft - -schisis
bursa - burso clot – thrombo
bursting forth of blood - -orrhagia clumping – agglutino
clusters - staphylo death – necro
coal dust - anthraco deficiency – hypo-
coccyx - coccygo deficiency - -penia
cold – cryo delivery - -tocin
collar bone - claviculo delivery - - partum
colon - colo delivery - - tocia
colon - colono destroy - -lysis
color – chromo dentin - dentino
common bile duct – choledocho destruction - -lytic
complete – di- development - -plasia
complete – dia- development – plaso
condition - -ia development - -trophy
condition - -iasis development - -tropin
condition, usually abnormal - - development, production, orogin -
osis -genesis
condition - -y diaphragm – phreno
condition of cell - cytosis difficult – dys-
conjubctiva – conjunctivo digestion - -pepsia
connect - necto dilation - -ectasia
constant - homeo dilation – ectasis
contriction - -stalsis dim – amblyo
contraction of muscles - -spasm discharge - -orrhea
control - -stasis disease - craso
controlling - -static disease - patho
coordination - taxo disease process - -pathy
copy - -mimetic distant – teleo
cornea - corneo down – cata-
cornea - kerato dropping - -ptosis
cortex – cortico double - diplo-
crooked – ankylo drug - chemo
cul-de-sac – culdo drug – pharmaco
curve – lordo drug - chemo
cut - ciso dry – xero
cut - sectio duct – vaso
cut into - - otomy dull - amblyo
cyst - cysto duodenum - duodeno
dark - opaco dura mater – duro
dark - -opaqo dusky - pheo
darkness – scoto dust - conio
dawn-colored – eosino ear - auri
death - morto ear - auro
ear – oto fear - phobo
eardrum - myringo feeling - esthesio
eardrum - tympano feeling - -phoria
eat - phago female – estro
eating - -phagia female - gyneco
egg – ovo femur - femoro
elbow - olecrano fever – pyro
electricity – electro fibers - fibro
embryonic - -blast fibrin - fibrino
enamel - adamanto fibula – fibula
enamel - enamelo fibula - peroneo
enlargement - -megaly finger (toe) – dactylo
enzyme - -ase finger bones – phalango
epididymus - epididymo finger-like – papillo
epiglottis - epiglotto first - proto
equal - iso first - proteo-
erain - encephalo fixation - -pexy
esophagus - esophago flesh - sarco
eustachian tube – salpingo flow - -rrhea
examination(visual) – scopo flow –orrhea
excess – ultra- flushed – erythema
excessive – hyper- follicle – folliculo
excision - -ectomy forking – furco
excessive sensitivity to pain - form - morpho
algesio foreign – xeno
extremities - acro formation – plaso
eye - oculo formation - -plasia
eye - ophthalmo formation - -plasm
eyelid - blepharo formation - -poiesis
fallopian tube – salpingo forming, condition of - -genesis
fallopian tube - -salpinx forward – ante-
false – pseudo- front - antero
far – disto fungus – myco
far - teleo gall – bili
fascia - fascio gall - chole
fast – tachy- gallbladder – cholecysto
fat - adipo ganglion – ganglio
fat – lipo ganglion – -ganglion
fat – steato genetic change – muta
fatty substance - athero gland – adeno
fear - -phobia glans penis – balano
glassy - vitreo hip – pelvi
globe-shaped - sphero hip – pelvo
glomerulus – glomerulo hip socket - acetabulo
glue – glio hold back – ischo
glycogen – glycogeno horny - kerato
go - -grade humerus – humero
going – iono humpback - kypho
good – bene- ileum - ileo
good – eu- ilium - ilio
granules - granulo immature cell - -blast
grapes - staphylo in – em-
gray - glauco in - -en
gray matter – polio- in – in
groin - inguino in due measure – emmetro
growth - -physis incision - -otomy
growth - -plasia incision - -tomy
growth - plasm incomplete – atelo
gum - gingivo individual – idio-
hair - tricho inferior – infra-
half – hemi- infection - sepso
half – semi- inflammation -itis
hand – chiro instrument to cut - -tome
hand bone – metacarpo instrument to record - -graph
hard - kerato instrument to visual examination -
hard - scirrho scope
hardening - -sclerosis internal organs - viscero
head - cephalo intestine, small – entero
hearing - acouo intestine, large – colo
hearing - audio inward – eso-
hearing - - cusis ion - iono
heart - cardio iris - irido
heart – corono iris - iro
heart muscle - myocardio iron - sidero
heat - cautero irregular – poikilo
heat - thermo irrigating - -clysis
heavy – pachy ischium – ischio
heavy – pachyo jaw bone, lower – mandibulo
heel bone - calcaneo jaw bone, lower – submaxillo
hernia - -cele jaw bone,upper - maxillo
hernia - hernio jaw - gnatho
hidden – crypto jejunum - jejuno
joint - arthro lung - pneumo
joint – articulo lung - pneumono
joint fluid - synovio lung - pulmono
kidney - nephro lymph – lympho
kidney - reno lymph gland – lymphadeno
killing - -cidal lymph vessels - lymphangino
knee cap – patella make a new opening - -stomy
knowledge – gnoso male - andro
labour - -partum many – poly-
labour - -tocia mass - onco
labour - -tocin mastoid process - mastoido
lack of - de- meal - -prandial
lacrimal duct – lacrimo msal - cibo
lacrimal sac – dacryocysto measure - -meter
lamina - lamino medulla – medullo
large – macro- membrains – meningo
large intestine - colo membrains – meningio
larynx – laryngo meninges – meninges
lead, to – ducto menses – meno
leaving agent - zymo metacarpals - metacarpo
life - bio menstruation - meno
life – vita meatus - meato
life - vito medullary - medullo
ligament - ligamento meninges - meningio
ligament - syndesmo middle – medio
light - luco middle - medullo
light – photo middle – meso-
like, to - philo midle ear - tympano
lip - cheilo milk - lacto
lip – labio mimic – -mimetic
little - -ole mind - phreno
little - -ule mind – psycho
liver - hepato mixture – craso
lobe – lobo mold - myco
location - topo monster - terato-
lower back – lumbo more - pleo
loins – lumbo mouth - oro
love - philo mouth - stomato
lower jaw - mandibulo movement - cineo
lower jaw - submaxillo movement - kinesio
luminous - fluoro mucus – muco
muscle - myxo one who - -er
muscle - myo one who - -or
muscle – myoso ones own - idio
muscle, smooth – leiomyo opening - -tresia
muscle, striated – rhabdomyo opening, new - -ostomy
mutation – muta- opposite – contra-
nail - onycho order - normo
nail - unguo order - taxo
nature - -physio out – ex-
near – meta- out – ec-
near – para- out - -ecto
near - proximo outside – ec-
neck – cervico outside – ecto-
neck of the uterus – cervico outside - exo
neither - neutro ovary - oophoro
nerve - neuro ovary – ovario
network – reticulo oviducts - salpingo
neurological tissue - glio oxygen - oxo
neutral – neutron pain - -algia
new – neo pain - -odynia
night – nocti pain, excessive sensitivity to –
nipple - thelo algesio
nipple-like - papillo painful – dys-
nitrogen - azoto palate – palate
no - -a palsy - -plegia
no - -an pancreas - pancreato
no strength - -asthenia paralysis - -plegia
normal - normo paralysis, slight - -paresis
nose - naso parathyroid gland - parathyroido
nose – rhino passage - -porosis
not - -a paste – athero
not - -an patella – patella
nourishment - -trophy pelvic bone and cavity - prlvo
nourishment - -tropin peineum - perineo
nucleus - karyo pelvis - pelvi
nucleus - nucleo peritoneum - peritoneo
numbness - narco pertainig to destruction - lytic
-obstruction, blockage - empraxis pertaining to - -ac
old age – presbyo pertaining to - -ic
on – epi- pertaining to - -ous
one – mono pertaining to - -al
pertaining to - -ar pupil - pupillo
pertaining to - -ary pus - pyo
pertaining to - -tic pylorus – pyloro
pertaining to stopping - -static radioactivity – radio
phalanges - phalango radius - radio
pharynx - pharyngo rays – radio
physician - iatro record - -gram
pink - eosino recording, processof - -graphy
place - topo rectum – recto
pleura - pleuro red - eosino
plexus - plexo red - erythro
poison - toxico redness – erythema
poison - toxo removal - -ectomy
polyp - polypo removal -pheresis
pons – ponto renal pelvis – pyelo
porridge – athero resection - -ectomy
position - topo resembling - -oid
potassium – kali retina - retino
pour, to - -fusion ribs – costo
pregnancy - -cyesis rosy – eosino
pregnancy – gravido round – sphere
process - -ia rule – normo
process - -y run - -drome
producing – geno root - radi
producing - -genesis rupture - -rrhexis
prolapse - -ptosis sac, small – alveolo
process of recording - graphy sac, small – folliculo
prostatic gland - prostato sac of fluid - cysto
protection – immune sacrum - sacro
protection - -phylaxis safe – immune
protein – albumin sagging - -ptosis
protein - proteo saliva – sialo
protein - -globin salivary glands – sialadeno
protein - -globulin same – iso
pubic bone - pubo sameness - homeo
pulp - pulpo scale - squamo
pulse – sphygmo scanty – oligo
puncture to remove fluid - - scapula – scapula
centesis sclera – sclera
pupil - coreo sea - thalasso
pupil - coro science - -logy
sebum - sebo smell - -osmia
secrete - -crine smooth muscle - leiomyo
secrete – crino sodium – natro
section - -tomy soft - meddulo
seed - germo softening - -malacia
seed - gono solid – stereo
self – auto solid structure - stero
self – idio sound - echo
seminal vessels – vesiculo sound - -phonia
sensation – esthesio sound - sono
separate - -crine spark - scinti
separate - -crit specialist - -ist
separate - -lysis speech - phaso
sex glands - gonado spermatozoa - spermato
shape – morpho spermatozoa – spermo
sharp - acuo sphenoid bone – spheno
sheath, meningeal covering - spinal column - rachio
theco spinal cord - myelo
shoulder blade – scapula spine – spino
shield – thyro spiny - acantho
shin bone - tibio spitting - -ptysis
side – latero spleen – spleno
sieve - ethmo sprout - germo
sigmoid colon – sigmoido stapes - stapedo
single - mono starch - amylo
sinus – sinuso sternum – sterno
skeletal muscle - rhabdomyo sticking together – agglutino
skin - cutaneo stiff - ankylo
skin - dermato stomach - gastro
skin - dermo stone - lith
skin -derma stone - litho
skull - cranio stop - -stasis
sleep - hypno stopping - -static
slight paralysis - -paresis straight - ortho
slow - brady strength - -sthenia
small - micro strength, lack of - -asthenia
small - mio stretching - ectasia
small - ole stretching - -ectasis
small - -ule stricture - -stenosis
small intestine - entero striated muscle – rhabdomyo
small sac - folliculo study of - -logy
study of - -ology throat – pharyngo
stupor - nacro through – dia-
sudden contraction of muscles - - through – per-
spasm throw - bolo
sugar - gluco thymus gland - thymo
sugar - glyco thyroid gland – thyro
sugar - ribo thyroid gland - thyroido
surgical cutting - -tomy tibia – tibio
surgical puncture -centesis tie - necto
surgical removal - -ectomy tightening - -stenosis
surgical repaire - -plasty time - chrono
surrounding – peri- tissue – histo
suture - -orrhaphy tissue – histio
swallow – phago toe – dactyl
swallowing - -phagia toe bones – phalango
swayback – lordo together – con-
sweat - diaphoro together – sym-
sweat - hidro together – syn-
synovia - synovio tongue – glosso
tail – caudo tongue – linguo
tailbone - coccygo tonsils – tonsillo
tear - dacryo tooth – denti
tear – lacrimo tooth – odonto
tear duct – lacrimo toward – ad-
tear gland – dacryoadeno trachea – trachea
tear sac – dacryocysto transmission - -phoresis
tendon – teno transparent – luco
tendon – tendo treatment - -therapy
tendon - tendino tube – syringo
testes - testo tumor - -oma
testis - orcho tumor – onco
testis - orchido turn - -tropia
thalamus - thalamo twisted chains – strepto
thick - pachy two – bi-
thick - pachyo ulna – ulno
thigh bone - femoro unchanging - homeo
thirst – dipso under – hypo-
thorny - acantho under – sub-
thread – mito up – ana-
threads of a clot - fibrino upon – epi-
three-dimensional – stereo upper jaw – maxilla
urea - azoto vulva – vulvo
ureter - uretero wander - iono
urethra - urethro washing - -clysis
urinary bladder - cysto water - aqueo
urinary bladder – vesico water – hydro
urinary tract - uro wax(ear) – cerumino
urination - -uria wedge - spheno
urine - -uria weak, dull - amblyo-
urine - uro white - albino
uterus – hysteron white - albo
uterus - metro white – leuko
uterus - metrio white of the eye – sclera
uterus - metro windpipe - tracheo
uterus - utero with – con-
vagina - colpo with – sym-
vagina - vagino with – syn-
valve – valvo within – en-
varied - poikilo within – endo-
vascular layer of the eye – uveo within – intra-
valv – valvo without – a-
vas deferens - vaso wsthout – an-
vein - phlebo woman - gyneco
vein – veno work - ergo
vein, small - venulo wrist - carpo
ventricle - ventriculo yellow - xantho
venule – venulo yellowish plaque – athero
vertebra - rachio x-rays –radio
vertebra - spondylo x-rays – roentgeno
vertebra - vertebro
vessel - angio
vessel - vaso
view,to - -opsy
virus – viro
visceral muscle - leiomyo
vision - -opia
visual examination – scopo, scopy
vitreous body - vitreo
voice - -phonia
voice box - laryngo
vomitig - -emesis
vulva - episio

Common questions

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The combining form "cysto" generally refers to the bladder, often in terms of a cyst or pouch . "Vesico" is similar in denoting the bladder but is more frequently used in contexts related to bladder disorders or surgeries, such as "vesicoureteral reflux," which describes a condition involving urinary flow from the bladder back into the ureters .

The combining form "pneumono" specifically relates to the lungs and respiratory system, particularly concerning air or gas within this context . In contrast, "aero" is used in a broader sense to refer to air in general, not restricted to the respiratory system. Therefore, "pneumonology" would pertain to the study of lung diseases, while "aerobic" refers to processes that require air, typically in the context of exercise .

"Nephro" and "reno" both refer to the kidneys, but they are used in different contexts. "Nephro" is often used in terms of conditions, diseases, and surgeries (e.g., nephritis, nephrectomy), while "reno" usually appears in anatomical or functional contexts like "renal artery" or "renogram". These distinctions help specify the focus, whether it's on clinical conditions or anatomical and physiological aspects .

The suffix "-algia" in medical terminology refers to pain. It is derived from Greek, where 'algos' means pain. This suffix is often attached to different combining forms to specify pain in particular body parts or systems. For example, "neuralgia" refers to nerve pain .

The prefix "meta-" carries meanings such as change, transformation, or referring to something beyond. In biological contexts, it describes processes involving change or progress, such as "metamorphosis" (transformation) and "metastasis" (spread of cancer beyond its original site). Clinically, "meta-" helps capture the dynamic nature of conditions or developmental stages, highlighting transitional or impactful changes .

The prefix "tachy-" implies speed, specifically an abnormally fast rate. In medical terminology, it is used to describe conditions related to rapid physiological processes. For instance, "tachycardia" refers to having a heart rate that is faster than normal, and "tachypnea" describes rapid breathing. By using "tachy-", medical terms convey urgency or exaggeration in normal body functions .

The suffix "-ectomy" denotes the surgical removal of a part, such as "appendectomy," which is the removal of the appendix. Conversely, "-ostomy" refers to creating an opening, like in "colostomy," where a new opening is made to the colon through the abdomen. While "-ectomy" focuses on excision, "-ostomy" involves creating access or passageways, highlighting differences in surgical intent and outcomes .

The suffix "-opathy" signifies a disease or disorder of a specific part. For instance, "neuropathy" indicates a disease affecting nerves. This suffix enhances understanding by clearly indicating the presence of a pathological condition, which allows for the identification and classification of diseases across different body systems, aiding in targeted diagnostics and treatments .

Prefixes in medical terminology can modify or reverse the meaning of the root word. For instance, the prefix "an-" or "a-" signifies "without" or "lack of," turning "aesthesia" (sensation) into "anaesthesia" (no sensation). This illustrates how prefixes help negate or oppose the original meaning, thus enhancing understanding of medical conditions.

The suffix "-itis" denotes inflammation of a specific organ or tissue, which provides a clear indication of the condition's pathophysiology. For example, "appendicitis" specifies inflammation of the appendix, which guides both diagnosis and treatment. It changes the understanding from merely identifying a location to understanding the nature of the ailment as an inflammatory process .

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