Medical Terminology Reference
|
Use this reference to see how common medical terms are created using the various prefixes, suffixes, and root words. |
labiodental
|
Prefix:
Prefix Definition:
1st Root Word: labi/o
1st Root Definition: lip
2nd Root Word: dent/i
2nd Root Word Definition: tooth
Suffix: -al
Suffix Definition: pertaining to
Definition: pertaining to a sound made with the lips and teeth |
lactase
|
Prefix:
Prefix Definition:
1st Root Word: lact/o
1st Root Definition: milk
2nd Root Word:
2nd Root Word Definition:
Suffix: -ase
Suffix Definition: enzyme
Definition: enzyme that breaks down milk sugar lactose into glucose |
lactation
|
Prefix:
Prefix Definition:
1st Root Word: lact/o
1st Root Definition: milk
2nd Root Word:
2nd Root Word Definition:
Suffix: -ion
Suffix Definition: process
Definition: process of secreting milk by the mammary glands |
laparotomy
|
Prefix:
Prefix Definition:
1st Root Word: lapar/o
1st Root Definition: abdominal wall; abdomen
2nd Root Word:
2nd Root Word Definition:
Suffix: -tomy
Suffix Definition: process of cutting
Definition: surgical incision into the abdominal cavity |
leukemia
|
Prefix:
Prefix Definition:
1st Root Word: leuk/o
1st Root Definition: white
2nd Root Word:
2nd Root Word Definition:
Suffix: -emia
Suffix Definition: blood condition
Definition: the body forming too many white blood cells; type of cancer |
leukocyte
|
Prefix:
Prefix Definition:
1st Root Word: leuk/o
1st Root Definition: white
2nd Root Word:
2nd Root Word Definition:
Suffix: -cyte
Suffix Definition: cell
Definition: white blood cells |
leukopenia
|
Prefix:
Prefix Definition:
1st Root Word: leuk/o
1st Root Definition: white
2nd Root Word:
2nd Root Word Definition:
Suffix: -penia
Suffix Definition: deficiency
Definition: deficiency of white cells in the blood |
lipoid
|
Prefix:
Prefix Definition:
1st Root Word: lip/o
1st Root Definition: fat; lipid
2nd Root Word:
2nd Root Word Definition:
Suffix: -oid
Suffix Definition: resembling; derived from
Definition: relating to resembling fat |
|
liposuction
|
Prefix:
Prefix Definition:
1st Root Word: lip/o
1st Root Definition: fat; lipid
2nd Root Word:
2nd Root Word Definition:
Suffix: -suction
Suffix Definition: removal
Definition: procedure to remove excess fat by suctioning under the skin |
lithotomy
|
Prefix:
Prefix Definition:
1st Root Word: lith/o
1st Root Definition: stone; calculus
2nd Root Word:
2nd Root Word Definition:
Suffix: -tomy
Suffix Definition: process of cutting
Definition: surgical procedure to remove a stone |
lithotripsy
|
Prefix:
Prefix Definition:
1st Root Word: lith/o
1st Root Definition: stone; calculus
2nd Root Word:
2nd Root Word Definition:
Suffix: -tripsy
Suffix Definition: to cut
Definition: process of breaking stones into small particles that can pass
in urine |
lumbar
|
Prefix:
Prefix Definition:
1st Root Word: lumb/o
1st Root Definition: lower back; loin
2nd Root Word:
2nd Root Word Definition:
Suffix: -ar
Suffix Definition: pertaining to
Definition: pertaining to the lower back; loin |
|
lymphedema
|
Prefix:
Prefix Definition:
1st Root Word: lymph/o
1st Root Definition: lymph
2nd Root Word:
2nd Root Word Definition:
Suffix: -edema
Suffix Definition: swelling
Definition: accumulation of fluid causing swelling in an area of the body |