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Medical terminology is composed of a prefix, root word, and suffix:
Prefix: A prefix is placed at the beginning of a word to modify or change its meaning. Pre means "before." Prefixes may also indicate a location, number, or time.
Root: central part of a word.
Suffix: The ending part of a word that modifies the meaning of the word.
Additional resources:   [Intro to med terms] [Med terms rules] [Med term reference] [Word building reference]  [Practice Exams]

Alphabetical Listing (word building)

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Medical Terminology- Word Building Reference. Letter A.

Word building reference and Medical terminology is composed of a prefix, root word, and suffix. It is used to precisely describe the human body components, processes, illnesses, medical procedures, and pharmacology. Medical terminology A is used in the field of medicine, and clinical settings. This section shows the building of several medical words beginning with the letter A.

abdominal

Prefix:
Prefix Definition:
1st Root Word: abdomin/o
1st Root Definition: abdomen
2nd Root Word:
2nd Root Word Definition:
Suffix: -al
Suffix Definition: pertaining to
Definition: pertaining to the abdomen

abduction

Prefix: ab-
Prefix Definition: away from
1st Root Word: duct/o
1st Root Definition: to lead; carry
2nd Root Word:
2nd Root Word Definition:
Suffix: -ion
Suffix Definition: process
Definition: process of leading or carrying away from

abnormal

Prefix: ab-
Prefix Definition: away from
1st Root Word: norm/o
1st Root Definition: rule; order
2nd Root Word:
2nd Root Word Definition:
Suffix: -al
Suffix Definition: pertaining to
Definition: pertaining to rule; order being away from

acanthoma

Prefix:
Prefix Definition:
1st Root Word: acanth/o
1st Root Definition: spiny thorny
2nd Root Word:
2nd Root Word Definition:
Suffix: -oma
Suffix Definition: tumor; mass; fluid collection
Definition: tumor; mass being spiny; thorny

achondroplasia

Prefix: a-
Prefix Definition: no; not; without
1st Root Word: chondr/o
1st Root Definition: cartilage
2nd Root Word:
2nd Root Word Definition:
Suffix: -plasia
Suffix Definition: development; formation
Definition: no development; formation of cartilage

acoustometer

Prefix:
Prefix Definition:
1st Root Word: acoust/o
1st Root Definition: hearing; sound
2nd Root Word:
2nd Root Word Definition:
Suffix: -meter
Suffix Definition: measure
Definition: measuring hearing; sound

acromegaly

Prefix:
Prefix Definition:
1st Root Word: acr/o
1st Root Definition: extremities; top; extreme point
2nd Root Word:
2nd Root Word Definition:
Suffix: -megaly
Suffix Definition: enlargement
Definition: enlargement of the extremities

adduction

Prefix: ad-
Prefix Definition: toward
1st Root Word: duct/o
1st Root Definition: to lead; carry
2nd Root Word:
2nd Root Word Definition:
Suffix: -ion
Suffix Definition: process
Definition: process of leading; carrying toward something

adenocarcinoma

Prefix:
Prefix Definition:
1st Root Word: aden/o
1st Root Definition: gland
2nd Root Word: carcin/o
2nd Root Word Definition: cancerous; cancer
Suffix: -oma
Suffix Definition: tumor; mass; fluid collection
Definition: cancerous tumor originating from glandular tissue

adenohypophyseal

Prefix:
Prefix Definition:
1st Root Word: aden/o
1st Root Definition: gland
2nd Root Word: hypophys/o
2nd Root Word Definition: pituitary gland
Suffix: -eal
Suffix Definition: pertaining to
Definition: pertaining to the pituitary gland

adenology

Prefix:
Prefix Definition:
1st Root Word: aden/o
1st Root Definition: gland
2nd Root Word:
2nd Root Word Definition:
Suffix: -logy
Suffix Definition: study (process of)
Definition: process of studying glands

adenoma

Prefix:
Prefix Definition:
1st Root Word: aden/o
1st Root Definition: gland
2nd Root Word:
2nd Root Word Definition:
Suffix: -oma
Suffix Definition: tumor; mass; fluid collection
Definition: benign tumor of epithelial tissue with glandular origin

adenotome

Prefix:
Prefix Definition:
1st Root Word: aden/o
1st Root Definition: gland
2nd Root Word:
2nd Root Word Definition:
Suffix: -tome
Suffix Definition: instrument to cut
Definition: instrument used to cut glands

adipocyte

Prefix:
Prefix Definition:
1st Root Word: adip/o
1st Root Definition: fat
2nd Root Word:
2nd Root Word Definition:
Suffix: -cyte
Suffix Definition: cell
Definition: cells that store fat

adrenal

Prefix:
Prefix Definition:
1st Root Word: adren/o
1st Root Definition: adrenal gland
2nd Root Word:
2nd Root Word Definition:
Suffix: -al
Suffix Definition: pertaining to
Definition: pertaining to the adrenal gland

aerosinusitis

Prefix:
Prefix Definition:
1st Root Word: aer/o
1st Root Definition: air
2nd Root Word: sinus/o
2nd Root Word Definition: sinus
Suffix: -itis
Suffix Definition: inflammation
Definition: inflammation of the sinus due to difference in air pressure

ageusia

Prefix: a-
Prefix Definition: no; not; without
1st Root Word:
1st Root Definition:
2nd Root Word:
2nd Root Word Definition:
Suffix: -geusia
Suffix Definition: taste
Definition: without; no taste

allopathy

Prefix:
Prefix Definition:
1st Root Word: all/o
1st Root Definition: other
2nd Root Word:
2nd Root Word Definition:
Suffix: -pathy
Suffix Definition: disease; emotion
Definition: uses other practices to cure diseases

ambidextrous

Prefix: ambi-
Prefix Definition: around; on both sides; about
1st Root Word: dextr/o
1st Root Definition: right
2nd Root Word:
2nd Root Word Definition:
Suffix: -ous
Suffix Definition: pertaining to
Definition: pertaining to the use of both right and left hands equally

amnesia

Prefix: a-
Prefix Definition: no; not; without
1st Root Word:
1st Root Definition:
2nd Root Word:
2nd Root Word Definition:
Suffix: -mnesia
Suffix Definition: memory
Definition: no memory

amniocentesis

Prefix:
Prefix Definition:
1st Root Word: amni/o
1st Root Definition: amnion (sac surrounding the embryo)
2nd Root Word:
2nd Root Word Definition:
Suffix: -centesis
Suffix Definition: surgical puncture to remove fluid
Definition: surgical puncture to remove fluid from the amnion

amylase

Prefix:
Prefix Definition:
1st Root Word: amyl/o
1st Root Definition: starch
2nd Root Word:
2nd Root Word Definition:
Suffix: -ase
Suffix Definition: enzyme
Definition: enzyme that turns starch into sugar

amylophagia

Prefix:
Prefix Definition:
1st Root Word: amyl/o
1st Root Definition: starch
2nd Root Word:
2nd Root Word Definition:
Suffix: -phagia
Suffix Definition: eating; swallowing
Definition: abnormal condition of eating starch

anal

Prefix:
Prefix Definition:
1st Root Word: an/o
1st Root Definition: anus
2nd Root Word:
2nd Root Word Definition:
Suffix: -al
Suffix Definition: pertaining to
Definition: pertaining to the anus

analgesia

Prefix: an-
Prefix Definition: no; not; without
1st Root Word: alges/o
1st Root Definition: sensitivity to pain
2nd Root Word:
2nd Root Word Definition:
Suffix: -ia
Suffix Definition: condition
Definition: condition having no sensitivity to pain

analgesic

Prefix: an-
Prefix Definition: no; not; without
1st Root Word: alges/o
1st Root Definition: sensitivity to pain
2nd Root Word:
2nd Root Word Definition:
Suffix: -ic
Suffix Definition: pertaining to
Definition: pertaining to no sensitivity to pain

anaplasia

Prefix: ana-
Prefix Definition: up; apart; backward; again; anew
1st Root Word:
1st Root Definition:
2nd Root Word:
2nd Root Word Definition:
Suffix: -plasia
Suffix Definition: development; formation
Definition: cell development; formation apart from other cells

androgen

Prefix:
Prefix Definition:
1st Root Word: andr/o
1st Root Definition: male
2nd Root Word:
2nd Root Word Definition:
Suffix: -gen
Suffix Definition: substance that produces
Definition: substance that produces male hormones

anemia

Prefix: an-
Prefix Definition: no; not; without
1st Root Word:
1st Root Definition:
2nd Root Word:
2nd Root Word Definition:
Suffix: -emia
Suffix Definition: blood condition
Definition: blood condition without or low red blood cells

anemic

Prefix: an-
Prefix Definition: no; not; without
1st Root Word:
1st Root Definition:
2nd Root Word:
2nd Root Word Definition:
Suffix: -emic
Suffix Definition: pertaining to a blood condition
Definition: pertaining to blood condition without or low red blood cells

anesthesia

Prefix: an-
Prefix Definition: no; not; without
1st Root Word:
1st Root Definition:
2nd Root Word:
2nd Root Word Definition:
Suffix: -esthesia
Suffix Definition: nervous sensation
Definition: no sensitivity to pain

angiogram

Prefix:
Prefix Definition:
1st Root Word: angi/o
1st Root Definition: vessel (blood)
2nd Root Word:
2nd Root Word Definition:
Suffix: -gram
Suffix Definition: record
Definition: record of blood vessels

angiography

Prefix:
Prefix Definition:
1st Root Word: angi/o
1st Root Definition: vessel (blood)
2nd Root Word:
2nd Root Word Definition:
Suffix: -graphy
Suffix Definition: process of recording
Definition: process of recording blood vessels

angiorrhexis

Prefix:
Prefix Definition:
1st Root Word: angi/o
1st Root Definition: vessel (blood)
2nd Root Word:
2nd Root Word Definition:
Suffix: -rrhexis
Suffix Definition: rupture
Definition: rupture of a blood vessel

anisocytosis

Prefix:
Prefix Definition:
1st Root Word: anis/o
1st Root Definition: unequal
2nd Root Word:
2nd Root Word Definition:
Suffix: -cytosis
Suffix Definition: condition of cells; slight increase in numbers
Definition: condition of red blood cells being unequal in size

anisotropic

Prefix:
Prefix Definition:
1st Root Word: anis/o
1st Root Definition: unequal
2nd Root Word:
2nd Root Word Definition:
Suffix: -tropic
Suffix Definition: turning; changing
Definition: unequal values when measured in different directions

ankylosis

Prefix:
Prefix Definition:
1st Root Word: ankly/o
1st Root Definition: stiff
2nd Root Word:
2nd Root Word Definition:
Suffix: -osis
Suffix Definition: condition; usually abnormal
Definition: abnormal stiffening (of a joint)

antepartum

Prefix: ante-
Prefix Definition: before; forward
1st Root Word:
1st Root Definition:
2nd Root Word:
2nd Root Word Definition:
Suffix: -partum
Suffix Definition: birth; labor
Definition: before labor

antipsychotic

Prefix: anti-
Prefix Definition: against
1st Root Word: psych/o
1st Root Definition: mind
2nd Root Word:
2nd Root Word Definition:
Suffix: -tic
Suffix Definition: pertaining to
Definition: pertaining to mind altering medication

aphallia

Prefix: a-
Prefix Definition: no; not; without
1st Root Word: phall/o
1st Root Definition: penis
2nd Root Word:
2nd Root Word Definition:
Suffix: -ia
Suffix Definition: condition
Definition: condition of having no penis

aphasia

Prefix: a-
Prefix Definition: no; not; without
1st Root Word:
1st Root Definition:
2nd Root Word:
2nd Root Word Definition:
Suffix: -phasia
Suffix Definition: speech
Definition: not being able to understand or express speech

apoptosis

Prefix: apo-
Prefix Definition: off; away
1st Root Word:
1st Root Definition:
2nd Root Word:
2nd Root Word Definition:
Suffix: -ptosis
Suffix Definition: droop; sag; prolapse; protrude
Definition: cells that prolapse away from organisms

appendectomy

Prefix:
Prefix Definition:
1st Root Word: append/o
1st Root Definition: appendix
2nd Root Word:
2nd Root Word Definition:
Suffix: -ectomy
Suffix Definition: removal; excision; resection
Definition: removal; excision; resection of the appendix

arteriole

Prefix:
Prefix Definition:
1st Root Word: arteri/o
1st Root Definition: artery
2nd Root Word:
2nd Root Word Definition:
Suffix: -ole
Suffix Definition: little; small
Definition: small branch of an artery leading to capillaries

arteriosclerosis

Prefix:
Prefix Definition:
1st Root Word: arteri/o
1st Root Definition: artery
2nd Root Word:
2nd Root Word Definition:
Suffix: -sclerosis
Suffix Definition: hardening
Definition: hardening of an artery

atherosclerosis

Prefix:
Prefix Definition:
1st Root Word: ather/o
1st Root Definition: plaque (fatty substance)
2nd Root Word:
2nd Root Word Definition:
Suffix: -sclerosis
Suffix Definition: hardening
Definition: deposits of plaques of fatty material on the inner walls of arteries

arthritis

Prefix:
Prefix Definition:
1st Root Word: arthr/o
1st Root Definition: joint
2nd Root Word:
2nd Root Word Definition:
Suffix: -itis
Suffix Definition: inflammation
Definition: inflammation of a joint

arthrocentesis

Prefix:
Prefix Definition:
1st Root Word: arthr/o
1st Root Definition: joint
2nd Root Word:
2nd Root Word Definition:
Suffix: -centesis
Suffix Definition: surgical puncture to remove fluid
Definition: surgical puncture to remove fluid in a joint

arthrodesis

Prefix:
Prefix Definition:
1st Root Word: arthr/o
1st Root Definition: joint
2nd Root Word:
2nd Root Word Definition:
Suffix: -desis
Suffix Definition: to bind; tie together
Definition: surgical immobilization of a joint by melding adjacent bones

articulation

Prefix:
Prefix Definition:
1st Root Word: articul/o
1st Root Definition: joint
2nd Root Word:
2nd Root Word Definition:
Suffix: -ation
Suffix Definition: process; condition
Definition: process; condition of being jointed

arteriostenosis

Prefix:
Prefix Definition:
1st Root Word: arteri/o
1st Root Definition: artery
2nd Root Word:
2nd Root Word Definition:
Suffix: -stenosis
Suffix Definition: tightening; stricture
Definition: narrowing the caliber of an artery

atelocardia

Prefix:
Prefix Definition:
1st Root Word: atel/o
1st Root Definition: incomplete
2nd Root Word: cardi/o
2nd Root Word Definition: heart
Suffix: -ia
Suffix Definition: condition
Definition: condition of an incomplete development of the heart

atrioventricular

Prefix:
Prefix Definition:
1st Root Word: atri/o
1st Root Definition: atrium (upper heart chamber)
2nd Root Word: ventricul/o
2nd Root Word Definition: ventricle (of heart or brain)
Suffix: -ar
Suffix Definition: pertaining to
Definition: pertaining to the atrium and ventricle of the heart

aural

Prefix:
Prefix Definition:
1st Root Word: aur/o
1st Root Definition: ear
2nd Root Word:
2nd Root Word Definition:
Suffix: -al
Suffix Definition: pertaining to
Definition: pertaining to the ear or sense of hearing

autoimmune

Prefix: auto-
Prefix Definition: self; own
1st Root Word: immun/o
1st Root Definition: immune; protection; safe
2nd Root Word:
2nd Root Word Definition:
Suffix:
Suffix Definition:
Definition: immune response of an organism against any of its own tissues
or cells

auxocardia

Prefix:
Prefix Definition:
1st Root Word: aux/o
1st Root Definition: growth; acceleration
2nd Root Word: cardi/o
2nd Root Word Definition: heart
Suffix: -ia
Suffix Definition: condition
Definition: condition of an enlarged heart

auxology

Prefix:
Prefix Definition:
1st Root Word: aux/o
1st Root Definition: growth; acceleration
2nd Root Word:
2nd Root Word Definition:
Suffix: -logy
Suffix Definition: study (process of)
Definition: study of human growth

axilla

Prefix:
Prefix Definition:
1st Root Word: axill/o
1st Root Definition: armpit
2nd Root Word:
2nd Root Word Definition:
Suffix: -a
Suffix Definition: pertaining to
Definition: pertaining to the armpit

 

Increasing your understanding of medical terminology

Word Building Reference– This resource strengthens your understanding of medical terminology. See how common medical terms are created using the various prefixes, suffixes, and root words.

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n o p q r s t u v w x y z

Medical Terminology Intuitive Section Hot Anim - Clinical And Medical Calculators From Global Rph
This section was developed for ‘speed learning’ of medical terminology.

a b c1 c2 d e f g h i j k l
m n o p q r s t u v w x y

Additional references:

Prefixes denoting numbers
Prefixes denoting position and/or direction
Prefixes denoting measurement
Medical Terminology Noun Suffixes
Combining forms for color
Common Prefixes Hot Anim - Clinical And Medical Calculators From Global Rph
Adjective Suffixes
Specialties and specialists med terms
Instruments, surgical, and diagnostic procedures
Negative prefixes
Common suffixes Hot Anim - Clinical And Medical Calculators From Global Rph


Quick Introduction– provides an overview and introduction to medical terminology. 
Medical Terms – rules governing singular versus plural versions of medical terms are described.

 

Medical terminology and word building