General Prefixes
This prefix means "against" or "opposed to."
What is anti-?
The suffix meaning "study of," used to name branches of science or medicine.
What is -logy?
The plane that separates the body into right and left portions.
What is the Sagittal Plane?
Moving a limb toward the midline of the body.
What is Adduction?
The combining form for "nail."
What is onych/o?
The combining form for "bone."
What is oste/o?
The combining form for "muscle."
What is my/o?
The combining form for "nerve."
What is neur/o?
This prefix, often found in medical conditions, means "without" or "lack of."
What is a- or an-?
This suffix means "abnormal softening," as in a bone or cartilage condition.
What is -malacia?
The directional term meaning "further from the point of attachment" or "away from the trunk."
What is Distal?
The movement of bending the foot upward toward the shin.
What is Dorsiflexion?
The combining form for "skin," which is also found in the term for inflammation of the skin.
What is derm/o?
The combining form for "joint."
What is arthr/o?
The combining form for "tendon."
What is ten/o?
The combining form for the protective membranes covering the brain and spinal cord.
What is mening/o?
The prefix used to indicate something is "difficult," "painful," or "abnormal" (e.g., in breathing or swallowing).
What is dys-?
The suffix meaning "surgical repair" or "reconstruction" of a damaged part.
What is -plasty?
This plane separates the body into superior (upper) and inferior (lower) portions.
What is the Transverse Plane?
Turning the head from side to side is an example of this movement.
What is Rotation?
The combining form for "sweat" or "sweat glands."
What is hidr/o?
The combining form for "cartilage."
What is chondr/o?
The combining form for "fascia," the sheet of connective tissue covering muscle.
What is fasci/o?
The combining form that means both "spinal cord" and "bone marrow."
What is myel/o?
This prefix means "below," "deficient," or "under" (e.g., low blood pressure).
What is hypo-?
This suffix means "condition" or "abnormal condition," often describing an increase in something (e.g., blood cells).
What is -osis?
The directional term meaning "away from the midline."
What is Lateral?
The movement of shrugging your shoulders upward.
What is Elevation?
The combining form meaning "dry," used to describe dry skin conditions.
What is xer/o?
The suffix meaning "surgical puncture to remove fluid," often done on a joint.
What is -centesis?
The combining form meaning "movement," seen in the diagnosis of slow movement.
What is kinesi/o?
The suffix meaning "paralysis," as in paralysis of the lower body.
What is -plegia?
The prefix meaning "upon" or "above," as in the top layer of skin or stomach region.
What is epi-?
The suffix that means "rupture," "burst," or "tear" of an internal structure.
What is -rrhexis?
The cavity superior to the diaphragm that contains the heart and lungs.
What is the Thoracic Cavity?
Moving an anatomical part anteriorly or forward, like jutting the jaw out.
What is Protraction?
The combining form meaning "fungus," used to describe conditions like athlete's foot.
What is myc/o?
The suffix meaning "surgical fusion" or "to bind," used when permanently stabilizing a joint.
What is -desis?
The suffix meaning "surgical suturing," often used for muscle or tendon repair.
What is -rrhaphy?
The combining form meaning "sensation" or "feeling."
What is esthesi/o?