Word building [ E ]
|
Use this reference to see how common medical terms are created using the various prefixes, suffixes, and root words. |
ectoblast
|
Prefix: ecto- Prefix Definition: out; outside 1st Root Word: 1st Root Definition: 2nd Root Word: 2nd Root Word Definition: Suffix: -blast Suffix Definition: embryonic; immature cell Definition: outer layer of an immature cell |
ectoderm
|
Prefix: ecto- Prefix Definition: out; outside 1st Root Word: 1st Root Definition: 2nd Root Word: 2nd Root Word Definition: Suffix: -derm Suffix Definition: skin Definition: outermost layer of skin cells |
ectopia
|
Prefix: ecto- Prefix Definition: out; outside 1st Root Word: top/o 1st Root Definition: place; position; location 2nd Root Word: 2nd Root Word Definition: Suffix: -ia Suffix Definition: condition Definition: condition of an abnormal location or position of an organ or body part |
ectopic pregnancy
|
Prefix: ecto- Prefix Definition: out; outside 1st Root Word: top/o 1st Root Definition: place; position; location 2nd Root Word: 2nd Root Word Definition: Suffix: -ic Suffix Definition: pertaining to Definition: fetus develops outside the uterus |
ectoplasm
|
Prefix: ecto- Prefix Definition: out; outside 1st Root Word: 1st Root Definition: 2nd Root Word: 2nd Root Word Definition: Suffix: -plasm Suffix Definition: formation; structure Definition: outer layer of a cell |
electrocardiogram
|
Prefix: Prefix Definition: 1st Root Word: electr/o 1st Root Definition: electricity 2nd Root Word: cardi/o 2nd Root Word Definition: heart Suffix: -gram Suffix Definition: record Definition: a record of electrical currents associated with the heart muscle |
electrocardiograph
|
Prefix: Prefix Definition: 1st Root Word: electr/o 1st Root Definition: electricity 2nd Root Word: cardi/o 2nd Root Word Definition: heart Suffix: -graph Suffix Definition: instrument for recording Definition: instrument for recording electrical currents associated with the heart muscle |
encephalitis
|
Prefix: Prefix Definition: 1st Root Word: encephal/o 1st Root Definition: brain 2nd Root Word: 2nd Root Word Definition: Suffix: -itis Suffix Definition: inflammation Definition: inflammation of the brain |
encephalocele
|
Prefix: Prefix Definition: 1st Root Word: encephal/o 1st Root Definition: brain 2nd Root Word: 2nd Root Word Definition: Suffix: -cele Suffix Definition: hernia; swelling Definition: hernia protrusion of brain substance |
encephalogram
|
Prefix: Prefix Definition: 1st Root Word: encephal/o 1st Root Definition: brain 2nd Root Word: 2nd Root Word Definition: Suffix: -gram Suffix Definition: record Definition: record of electrical activity of the brain |
encephalomalacia
|
Prefix: Prefix Definition: 1st Root Word: encephal/o 1st Root Definition: brain 2nd Root Word: 2nd Root Word Definition: Suffix: -malacia Suffix Definition: softening Definition: softening of brain tissue |
encephalomeningitis
|
Prefix: Prefix Definition: 1st Root Word: encephal/o 1st Root Definition: brain 2nd Root Word: mening/o 2nd Root Word Definition: meninges (membranes covering the spinal cord and brain) Suffix: -itis Suffix Definition: inflammation Definition: inflammation of the brain and meninges (membranes covering the spinal cord and brain) |
encephalomyelitis
|
Prefix: Prefix Definition: 1st Root Word: encephal/o 1st Root Definition: brain 2nd Root Word: myel/o 2nd Root Word Definition: spinal cord; bone marrow Suffix: -itis Suffix Definition: inflammation Definition: inflammation of the brain and spinal cord |
encephalopathy
|
Prefix: Prefix Definition: 1st Root Word: encephal/o 1st Root Definition: brain 2nd Root Word: 2nd Root Word Definition: Suffix: -pathy Suffix Definition: disease; emotion Definition: disease of function of the brain is affected |
endocrine
|
Prefix: endo- Prefix Definition: in; within 1st Root Word: 1st Root Definition: 2nd Root Word: 2nd Root Word Definition: Suffix: -crine Suffix Definition: secrete; separate Definition: glands that secrete products into the blood |
endocrinology
|
Prefix: endo- Prefix Definition: in; within 1st Root Word: crin/o 1st Root Definition: secrete 2nd Root Word: 2nd Root Word Definition: Suffix: -logy Suffix Definition: study (process of) Definition: study of glands that secrete products into the blood |
endocytosis
|
Prefix: endo- Prefix Definition: in; within 1st Root Word: 1st Root Definition: 2nd Root Word: 2nd Root Word Definition: Suffix: -cytosis Suffix Definition: condition of cells; slight increase of numbers Definition: cells absorb material outside their membranes |
endogen
|
Prefix: endo- Prefix Definition: in; within 1st Root Word: 1st Root Definition: 2nd Root Word: 2nd Root Word Definition: Suffix: -gen Suffix Definition: substance that produces Definition: substance (plant) that increases in size by internal growth |
endoscope
|
Prefix: endo- Prefix Definition: in; within 1st Root Word: 1st Root Definition: 2nd Root Word: 2nd Root Word Definition: Suffix: -scope Suffix Definition: instrument for visual examination Definition: instrument for visual examination in the body or its internal parts |
endoscopy
|
Prefix: endo- Prefix Definition: in; within 1st Root Word: 1st Root Definition: 2nd Root Word: 2nd Root Word Definition: Suffix: -scopy Suffix Definition: visual examination Definition: visual examination inside the body |
endospore
|
Prefix: endo- Prefix Definition: in; within 1st Root Word: 1st Root Definition: 2nd Root Word: 2nd Root Word Definition: Suffix: -spore Suffix Definition: reproductive element Definition: asexual spore developed within a cell |
endothermic
|
Prefix: endo- Prefix Definition: in; within 1st Root Word: therm/o 1st Root Definition: heat 2nd Root Word: 2nd Root Word Definition: Suffix: -ic Suffix Definition: pertaining to Definition: pertaining to absorption of heat or an organism that generates heat |
enterolysis
|
Prefix: Prefix Definition: 1st Root Word: enter/o 1st Root Definition: intestines (usually small intestines) 2nd Root Word: 2nd Root Word Definition: Suffix: -lysis Suffix Definition: breakdown; separation; destruction; loosening Definition: separation of intestinal adhesions |
epicardium
|
Prefix: epi- Prefix Definition: above; upon; on 1st Root Word: cardi/o 1st Root Definition: heart 2nd Root Word: 2nd Root Word Definition: Suffix: -ium Suffix Definition: structure; tissue Definition: serous membrane that forms the innermost layer of the pericardium and the outer surface of the heart |
epidermis
|
Prefix: epi- Prefix Definition: above; upon; on 1st Root Word: derm/o 1st Root Definition: skin 2nd Root Word: 2nd Root Word Definition: Suffix: Suffix Definition: Definition: outer layer of the skin |
epidural
|
Prefix: epi- Prefix Definition: above; upon; on 1st Root Word: dur/o 1st Root Definition: dura matter 2nd Root Word: 2nd Root Word Definition: Suffix: -al Suffix Definition: pertaining to Definition: pertaining to being on or around the dura matter |
epilepsy
|
Prefix: epi- Prefix Definition: above; upon; on 1st Root Word: 1st Root Definition: 2nd Root Word: 2nd Root Word Definition: Suffix: -lepsy Suffix Definition: seizure Definition: unprovoked seizure |
episclera
|
Prefix: epi- Prefix Definition: above; upon; on 1st Root Word: scler/o 1st Root Definition: sclera (white of the eye) 2nd Root Word: 2nd Root Word Definition: Suffix: Suffix Definition: Definition: outermost layer of the sclera |
episiotomy
|
Prefix: Prefix Definition: 1st Root Word: episi/o 1st Root Definition: vulva 2nd Root Word: 2nd Root Word Definition: Suffix: -tomy Suffix Definition: process of surgically cutting the opening of the vagina Definition: |
epistaxis
|
Prefix: epi- Prefix Definition: above; upon; on 1st Root Word: 1st Root Definition: 2nd Root Word: 2nd Root Word Definition: Suffix: -staxis Suffix Definition: dripping; trickling Definition: dripping; trickling; blood from the nose |
erythrocyte
|
Prefix: Prefix Definition: 1st Root Word: erythr/o 1st Root Definition: red 2nd Root Word: 2nd Root Word Definition: Suffix: -cyte Suffix Definition: cell Definition: red blood cell |
erythromelalgia
|
Prefix: Prefix Definition: 1st Root Word: erythr/o 1st Root Definition: red 2nd Root Word: mel/o 2nd Root Word Definition: limb; limbs Suffix: -algia Suffix Definition: pain Definition: condition of redness, swelling and/or pain of the limbs |
esophageal
|
Prefix: Prefix Definition: 1st Root Word: esophag/o 1st Root Definition: esophagus 2nd Root Word: 2nd Root Word Definition: Suffix: -eal Suffix Definition: pertaining to Definition: pertaining to the esophagus |
esthesia
|
Prefix: Prefix Definition: 1st Root Word: esthes/o 1st Root Definition: nervous sensation 2nd Root Word: 2nd Root Word Definition: Suffix: -ia Suffix Definition: condition Definition: condition of sensation and feeling sensibility |
estrogen
|
Prefix: Prefix Definition: 1st Root Word: estr/o 1st Root Definition: female 2nd Root Word: 2nd Root Word Definition: Suffix: -gen Suffix Definition: substance that produces Definition: female steroid hormone produced by the ovaries |
eukaryote
|
Prefix: du- Prefix Definition: good; normal 1st Root Word: kary/o 1st Root Definition: nucleus 2nd Root Word: 2nd Root Word Definition: Suffix: -ote Suffix Definition: expand Definition: cell with a true nucleus |
excision
|
Prefix: ex- Prefix Definition: out; away from 1st Root Word: cis/o 1st Root Definition: to cut 2nd Root Word: 2nd Root Word Definition: Suffix: -ion Suffix Definition: process Definition: process of cutting out; away from |
exophthalmos
|
Prefix: exo- Prefix Definition: out; away from 1st Root Word: thalm/o 1st Root Definition: thalamus (eyeball) 2nd Root Word: 2nd Root Word Definition: Suffix: Suffix Definition: abnormal protrusion of the thalamus (eyeball) Definition: |
exoskeleton
|
Prefix: exo- Prefix Definition: out; away from 1st Root Word: skelet/o 1st Root Definition: skeleton 2nd Root Word: 2nd Root Word Definition: Suffix: Suffix Definition: Definition: external hard, protective covering on an animal |
extradural
|
Prefix: extra- Prefix Definition: outside 1st Root Word: dur/o 1st Root Definition: dura matter 2nd Root Word: 2nd Root Word Definition: Suffix: -al Suffix Definition: pertaining to Definition: pertaining to the outside of dura matter, but within the skull |