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Medical TERMINOLOGY

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 of Med Terms

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Med terms ‘I’- medical prefix/suffix

GlobalRPh Medical Terminology Section- Letter I

Prefixes and Suffixes Medical Terminology beginning with I

Medical terminology is used to precisely describe the human body components, processes, illnesses, medical procedures, and pharmacology. Medical terms are used in the field of medicine, and clinical settings. This section deals with all med terms beginning with the letter I, and features medical roots, prefixes and suffixes. Introduction to Medical Terminology.


Medical Terminology - Letter I 

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-ia

condition

-iac

pertaining to

-iasis

abnormal condition

iatr/o

physician; treatment

-ic

pertaining to

-ical

pertaining to

ichthy/o

dry; scaly

-ician

specialist

-icle

small

ide/o

idea, mental images

idi/o

unknown; individual; distinct

ile/o

ileum

ili/o

ilium

immun/o

immune; protection; safe

in-

in; into; not

-in

a substance, chemical, chemical compound

-ine

a substance, chemical, chemical compound

-ine

pertaining to

infra-

below; inferior to; beneath

inguin/o

groin

insulin/o

insulin (pancreatic hormone)

inter-

between

intra-

within; into

iod/o

iodine

ion/o

ion; to wander

-ion

process

-ior

pertaining to

ipsi-

same

ir-

in

ir/o

iris (colored portion of eye)

irid/o

iris (colored portion of eye)

is/o

same; equal

isch/o

to hold back; back

ischi/o

ischium (part of hip bone)

-ism

process; condition

-ist

specialist

ithy-

erect, straight

-itis

inflammation

-ium

structure; tissue

ixod/i

ticks

 
 

Word Building and Medical Terms beginning with the letter I

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I

 

idiopathic

Prefix:
Prefix Definition:
1st Root Word: idi/o
1st Root Definition: unknown; individual; distinct
2nd Root Word:
2nd Root Word Definition:
Suffix: -ic
Suffix Definition: pertaining to
Definition: pertaining to of unknown cause

ileocecal valve

Prefix:
Prefix Definition:
1st Root Word: ile/o
1st Root Definition: ileum
2nd Root Word: cec/o
2nd Root Word Definition: cecum (first part of the colon)
Suffix: -al
Suffix Definition: pertaining to
Definition: pertaining to the valve between the ileum of the small intestine
and the cecum of the large intestine

interarticular

Prefix: inter-
Prefix Definition: between
1st Root Word: articul/o
1st Root Definition: joint
2nd Root Word:
2nd Root Word Definition:
Suffix: -ar
Suffix Definition: pertaining to
Definition: between joints

intercostal

Prefix: inter-
Prefix Definition: between
1st Root Word: cost/o
1st Root Definition: rib
2nd Root Word:
2nd Root Word Definition:
Suffix: -al
Suffix Definition: pertaining to
Definition: pertaining to between the ribs

intravenous

Prefix: intra-
Prefix Definition: within; into
1st Root Word: ven/o
1st Root Definition: vein
2nd Root Word:
2nd Root Word Definition:
Suffix: -ous
Suffix Definition: pertaining to
Definition: present; taking place within; administered into a vein(s)

ipsilateral

Prefix: ipsi-
Prefix Definition: same
1st Root Word: later/o
1st Root Definition: side
2nd Root Word:
2nd Root Word Definition:
Suffix: -al
Suffix Definition: pertaining to
Definition: belonging to; occurring on the same side of the body

iridectomy

Prefix:
Prefix Definition:
1st Root Word: irid/o
1st Root Definition: iris (colored portion of the eye)
2nd Root Word:
2nd Root Word Definition:
Suffix: -ectomy
Suffix Definition: removal; excision; resection
Definition: surgical removal of part of the iris

ischemia

Prefix:
Prefix Definition:
1st Root Word: isch/o
1st Root Definition: to hold back; back
2nd Root Word:
2nd Root Word Definition:
Suffix: -emia
Suffix Definition: blood condition
Definition: insufficient blood supply to an organ or part of the body

ischioanal

Prefix:
Prefix Definition:
1st Root Word: ischi/o
1st Root Definition: ischium (part of hip bone)
2nd Root Word:
2nd Root Word Definition:
Suffix: -al
Suffix Definition: pertaining to
Definition: pertaining to the ischium

isotonic

Prefix:
Prefix Definition:
1st Root Word: is/o
1st Root Definition: same; equal
2nd Root Word: ton/o
2nd Root Word Definition: tension
Suffix: -ic
Suffix Definition: pertaining to
Definition: pertaining to having equal tension

isotropic

Prefix:
Prefix Definition:
1st Root Word: is/o
1st Root Definition: same; equal
2nd Root Word:
2nd Root Word Definition:
Suffix: -tropic
Suffix Definition: turning; changing
Definition: equal values when measured in all directions


Alphabetical Listing of Med Terms

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

 

 

Increasing your understanding of medical terminology

Additional references:


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.


Medical Terminology Intuitive Section This section was developed for 'speed learning' of medical terminology. Start by reviewing the meanings for a block of medical terms, and then go back and choose a previous term randomly and try to recall the meaning of that particular medical term before hovering over the term to determine the answer. These frequent mini-tests will accelerate the learning process and in a relatively short period of time, you will be able to quickly recall the meaning of all of the listed medical terms. This method of learning is superior to flash cards because of the frequent exposure and testing of your recall.


 

 

Med terms ‘I’- medical prefix/suffix