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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)

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

Medical Terminology Reference

Use this reference to see how common medical terms are created using the various prefixes, suffixes, and root words. The first release of this reference included close to 1000 words.  We are still in the process of developing new content.  Medical terms have not been released yet for the following letters: J,W,Y, Z.

Z

Prefix:
Prefix Definition:
1st Root Word:
1st Root Definition:
2nd Root Word:
2nd Root Word Definition:
Suffix:
Suffix Definition:
Definition:
Z

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