Intended for Healthcare Professionals
You are here
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.

hallucinogen

Prefix:
Prefix Definition:
1st Root Word: hallucin/o
1st Root Definition: hallucination
2nd Root Word:
2nd Root Word Definition:
Suffix: -gen
Suffix Definition: substance that produces
Definition: substance that produces hallucinations

hallucinosis

Prefix:
Prefix Definition:
1st Root Word: hallucin/o
1st Root Definition: hallucination
2nd Root Word:
2nd Root Word Definition:
Suffix: -osis
Suffix Definition: condition, usually abnormal
Definition: abnormal condition characterized by hallucinations

hematemesis

Prefix:
Prefix Definition:
1st Root Word: hemat/o
1st Root Definition: blood
2nd Root Word:
2nd Root Word Definition:
Suffix: -emesis
Suffix Definition: the action or process of vomiting
Definition: vomiting blood

hematology

Prefix:
Prefix Definition:
1st Root Word: hemat/o
1st Root Definition: blood
2nd Root Word:
2nd Root Word Definition:
Suffix: -logy
Suffix Definition: study (process of)
Definition: study of blood diseases, functions…

hematoma

Prefix:
Prefix Definition:
1st Root Word: hemat/o
1st Root Definition: blood
2nd Root Word:
2nd Root Word Definition:
Suffix: -oma
Suffix Definition: tumor; mass; fluid collection
Definition: swelling that is filled with blood

hematopoiesis

Prefix:
Prefix Definition:
1st Root Word: hemat/o
1st Root Definition: blood
2nd Root Word:
2nd Root Word Definition:
Suffix: -poiesis
Suffix Definition: formation
Definition: formation of blood or blood cells

hematuria

Prefix:
Prefix Definition:
1st Root Word: hemat/o
1st Root Definition: blood
2nd Root Word:
2nd Root Word Definition:
Suffix: -uria
Suffix Definition: urination; condition of urine
Definition: condition of blood in the urine

hemiparesis

Prefix: hemi-
Prefix Definition: half
1st Root Word:
1st Root Definition:
2nd Root Word:
2nd Root Word Definition:
Suffix: -paresis
Suffix Definition: weakness
Definition: weakness; paralysis restricted to one side

hemiplegia

Prefix: hemi-
Prefix Definition: half
1st Root Word:
1st Root Definition:
2nd Root Word:
2nd Root Word Definition:
Suffix: -plegia
Suffix Definition: paralysis; palsy
Definition: paralysis of one side

hemispherectomy

Prefix: hemi-
Prefix Definition: half
1st Root Word:
1st Root Definition:
2nd Root Word:
2nd Root Word Definition:
Suffix: -ectomy
Suffix Definition: removal; excision; resection
Definition: removal; excision; resection of half the brain

hemochromatosis

Prefix:
Prefix Definition:
1st Root Word: hem/o
1st Root Definition: blood
2nd Root Word: chrom/o
2nd Root Word Definition: color
Suffix: -osis
Suffix Definition: condition, usually abnormal
Definition: abnormal blood disorder causing the body to absorb excessive
amounts of iron

hemoglobin

Prefix:
Prefix Definition:
1st Root Word:  hem/o
1st Root Definition: blood
2nd Root Word:
2nd Root Word Definition:
Suffix: -globin
Suffix Definition: protein
Definition: a protein of red blood cells that transports oxygen

hemolysis

Prefix:
Prefix Definition:
1st Root Word:  hem/o
1st Root Definition: blood
2nd Root Word:
2nd Root Word Definition:
Suffix: -lysis
Suffix Definition: breakdown; separation; destruction; loosening
Definition: breakdown; separation; destruction; loosening of red blood cells

hemophilia

Prefix:
Prefix Definition:
1st Root Word:  hem/o
1st Root Definition: blood
2nd Root Word:
2nd Root Word Definition:
Suffix: -philia
Suffix Definition: attraction for
Definition: abnormal blood clot disorder; attraction for blood

hemopoiesis

Prefix:
Prefix Definition:
1st Root Word:  hem/o
1st Root Definition: blood
2nd Root Word:
2nd Root Word Definition:
Suffix: -poiesis
Suffix Definition: formation
Definition: formation of blood cells

hemoptysis

Prefix:
Prefix Definition:
1st Root Word:  hem/o
1st Root Definition: blood
2nd Root Word:
2nd Root Word Definition:
Suffix: -ptysis
Suffix Definition: spitting
Definition: spitting up blood

hemorrhage

Prefix:
Prefix Definition:
1st Root Word:  hem/o
1st Root Definition: blood
2nd Root Word:
2nd Root Word Definition:
Suffix: -rrhage
Suffix Definition: bursting forth (of blood)
Definition: bursting forth of blood from a ruptured blood vessel

hemostasis

Prefix:
Prefix Definition:
1st Root Word:  hem/o
1st Root Definition: blood
2nd Root Word:
2nd Root Word Definition:
Suffix: -stasis
Suffix Definition: to stop; control; place
Definition: to stop; control the flow of blood

hepatic

Prefix:
Prefix Definition:
1st Root Word: hepat/o
1st Root Definition: liver
2nd Root Word:
2nd Root Word Definition:
Suffix: -ic
Suffix Definition: pertaining to
Definition: pertaining to the liver

hepatitis

Prefix:
Prefix Definition:
1st Root Word: hepat/o
1st Root Definition: liver
2nd Root Word:
2nd Root Word Definition:
Suffix: -itis
Suffix Definition: inflammation
Definition: inflammation of the liver

hepatobiliary

Prefix:
Prefix Definition:
1st Root Word: hepat/o
1st Root Definition: liver
2nd Root Word:
2nd Root Word Definition:
Suffix: -biliary
Suffix Definition: pertaining to the gallbladder and bile ducts
Definition: pertaining to the liver, gallbladder and bile ducts

hepatoblastoma

Prefix:
Prefix Definition:
1st Root Word: hepat/o
1st Root Definition: liver
2nd Root Word:
2nd Root Word Definition:
Suffix: -blastoma
Suffix Definition: immature tumor (cells)
Definition: tumor cells that originate in the liver

hepatocyte

Prefix:
Prefix Definition:
1st Root Word: hepat/o
1st Root Definition: liver
2nd Root Word:
2nd Root Word Definition:
Suffix: -cyte
Suffix Definition: cell
Definition: liver cell

hepatology

Prefix:
Prefix Definition:
1st Root Word: hepat/o
1st Root Definition: liver
2nd Root Word:
2nd Root Word Definition:
Suffix: -logy
Suffix Definition: study (process of)
Definition: study of the liver

hepatoma

Prefix:
Prefix Definition:
1st Root Word: hepat/o
1st Root Definition: liver
2nd Root Word:
2nd Root Word Definition:
Suffix: -oma
Suffix Definition: tumor; mass; fluid collection
Definition: tumor of the cells in the liver

hepatomegaly

Prefix:
Prefix Definition:
1st Root Word: hepat/o
1st Root Definition: liver
2nd Root Word:
2nd Root Word Definition:
Suffix: -megaly
Suffix Definition: enlargement
Definition: enlarged liver

hepatosplenomegaly

Prefix:
Prefix Definition:
1st Root Word: hepat/o
1st Root Definition: liver
2nd Root Word: splen/o
2nd Root Word Definition: spleen
Suffix: -megaly
Suffix Definition: enlargement
Definition: concurrent enlargement of the liver and spleen

heterogeneous

Prefix:
Prefix Definition:
1st Root Word: heter/o
1st Root Definition: other; another; different
2nd Root Word: gen/o
2nd Root Word Definition: birth; production; formation; kind
Suffix: -ous
Suffix Definition: pertaining to
Definition: originating outside the organism

histology

Prefix:
Prefix Definition:
1st Root Word: hist/o
1st Root Definition: tissue
2nd Root Word:
2nd Root Word Definition:
Suffix: -logy
Suffix Definition: study (process of)
Definition: study of tissues

homeopathy

Prefix:
Prefix Definition:
1st Root Word: home/o
1st Root Definition: sameness; unchanging; constant
2nd Root Word:
2nd Root Word Definition:
Suffix: -pathy
Suffix Definition: disease; emotion
Definition: treatment of disease using minute doses of drugs that would
otherwise produce symptoms of disease

homeostasis

Prefix:
Prefix Definition:
1st Root Word: home/o
1st Root Definition: sameness; unchanging; constant
2nd Root Word:
2nd Root Word Definition:
Suffix: -stasis
Suffix Definition: to stop; control; place
Definition: seek and maintain an equilibrium within an internal environment

humerus

Prefix:
Prefix Definition:
1st Root Word: humer/o
1st Root Definition: humerus
2nd Root Word:
2nd Root Word Definition:
Suffix: -us
Suffix Definition: structure; thing
Definition: long bone from the shoulder to the elbow of the arm

hydroadipsia

Prefix:
Prefix Definition:
1st Root Word: hydr/o
1st Root Definition: water
2nd Root Word: dips/o
2nd Root Word Definition: thirst
Suffix: -ia
Suffix Definition: condition
Definition: condition of being thirsty for water

hydrocele

Prefix:
Prefix Definition:
1st Root Word: hydr/o
1st Root Definition: water
2nd Root Word:
2nd Root Word Definition:
Suffix: -cele
Suffix Definition: hernia; swelling
Definition: accumulation of serous fluid in a body sac

hydrocephalus

Prefix:
Prefix Definition:
1st Root Word: hydr/o
1st Root Definition: water
2nd Root Word: cephal/o
2nd Root Word Definition: head
Suffix: -us
Suffix Definition: structure; thing
Definition: accumulation of fluid in the brain

hydrophobia

Prefix:
Prefix Definition:
1st Root Word: hydr/o
1st Root Definition: water
2nd Root Word:
2nd Root Word Definition:
Suffix: -phobia
Suffix Definition: fear
Definition: fear of water

hydrophobic

Prefix:
Prefix Definition:
1st Root Word: hydr/o
1st Root Definition: water
2nd Root Word: phob/o
2nd Root Word Definition: fear
Suffix: -ic
Suffix Definition: pertaining to
Definition: pertaining to the fear of water

hydrophyte

Prefix:
Prefix Definition:
1st Root Word: hydr/o
1st Root Definition: water
2nd Root Word:
2nd Root Word Definition:
Suffix: -phyte
Suffix Definition: plant
Definition: plant that only grows in or on water

hydrotherapy

Prefix:
Prefix Definition:
1st Root Word: hydr/o
1st Root Definition: water
2nd Root Word:
2nd Root Word Definition:
Suffix: -therapy
Suffix Definition: treatment
Definition: treatment for conditions using exercise in the water

hyperemesis

Prefix: hyper-
Prefix Definition: above; excessive
1st Root Word:
1st Root Definition:
2nd Root Word:
2nd Root Word Definition:
Suffix: -emesis
Suffix Definition: vomiting
Definition: excessive vomiting

hypergeusia

Prefix: hyper-
Prefix Definition: above; excessive
1st Root Word:
1st Root Definition:
2nd Root Word:
2nd Root Word Definition:
Suffix: -geusia
Suffix Definition: taste
Definition: abnormally heightened sense of taste

hyperglycemia

Prefix: hyper
Prefix Definition: above; excessive
1st Root Word: glyc/o
1st Root Definition: glucose; sugar
2nd Root Word:
2nd Root Word Definition:
Suffix: -emia
Suffix Definition: blood condition
Definition: excess of glucose in the bloodstream

hyperglycemic

Prefix: hyper
Prefix Definition: above; excessive
1st Root Word: glyc/o
1st Root Definition: glucose; sugar
2nd Root Word:
2nd Root Word Definition:
Suffix: -ic
Suffix Definition: pertaining to
Definition: pertaining to high blood sugar

hyperhidrosis

Prefix: hyper
Prefix Definition: above; excessive
1st Root Word: hidr/o
1st Root Definition: sweat
2nd Root Word:
2nd Root Word Definition:
Suffix: -osis
Suffix Definition: condition, usually abnormal
Definition: disorder marked by excessive sweating

hyperkalemia

Prefix: hyper
Prefix Definition: above; excessive
1st Root Word: kal/i
1st Root Definition: potassium
2nd Root Word:
2nd Root Word Definition:
Suffix: -emia
Suffix Definition: blood condition
Definition: potassium level in blood that’s higher than normal

hyperplasia

Prefix: hyper
Prefix Definition: above; excessive
1st Root Word:
1st Root Definition:
2nd Root Word:
2nd Root Word Definition:
Suffix: -plasia
Suffix Definition: development; formation
Definition: abnormal increase in volume of a tissue or organ caused by the
formation and growth of new normal cells

hypertension

Prefix: hyper
Prefix Definition: above; excessive
1st Root Word:
1st Root Definition:
2nd Root Word:
2nd Root Word Definition:
Suffix: -tension
Suffix Definition: pressure
Definition: abnormally high blood pressure

hyperthermia

Prefix: hyper
Prefix Definition: above; excessive
1st Root Word: therm/o
1st Root Definition: heat
2nd Root Word:
2nd Root Word Definition:
Suffix: -ia
Suffix Definition: condition
Definition: condition of having a body temperature greatly above normal

hypodermic

Prefix: hypo-
Prefix Definition: deficient; below; under; less than normal
1st Root Word: derm/o
1st Root Definition: skin
2nd Root Word:
2nd Root Word Definition:
Suffix: -ic
Suffix Definition: pertaining to
Definition: pertaining to the region immediately beneath the skin

hypogeusia

Prefix: hypo-
Prefix Definition: deficient; below; under; less than normal
1st Root Word:
1st Root Definition:
2nd Root Word:
2nd Root Word Definition:
Suffix: -geusia
Suffix Definition: taste
Definition: decreased sensitivity to taste

hypovolemia

Prefix: hypo-
Prefix Definition: deficient; below; under; less than normal
1st Root Word:
1st Root Definition:
2nd Root Word:
2nd Root Word Definition:
Suffix: -volemia
Suffix Definition: blood volume
Definition: decreased volume of circulating blood in the body

hysterectomy

Prefix:
Prefix Definition:
1st Root Word: hyster/o
1st Root Definition: uterus; womb
2nd Root Word:
2nd Root Word Definition:
Suffix: -ectomy
Suffix Definition: removal; excision; resection
Definition: surgical removal of all or part of the uterus

hysteroptosis

Prefix:
Prefix Definition:
1st Root Word: hyster/o
1st Root Definition: uterus; womb
2nd Root Word:
2nd Root Word Definition:
Suffix: -ptosis
Suffix Definition: droop; sag; prolapse; protrude
Definition: prolapse of the uterus

Navigation

Check out the following resources to support your learning and understanding of medical terminology:

 

H

thpxl