Prefix Power (Location & Degree)
This prefix means "under" or "below," as seen in the space below the shoulder tip.
What is Sub-? (e.g., Subacromial)
This Greek root refers to the "Heart."
What is Cardio-?
This suffix means “surgical repair.”
What is -plasty?
✅ Example
Arthroplasty = surgical joint repair/replacement
🧠 Explanation
“-plasty” refers to reconstructive surgery.
: This suffix means "the study of."
What is -logy? (e.g., Kinesiology)
If an injury is toward the midline of the body, it is called this.
What is Medial?
What does:
Combine to form?
What is myopathy?
✅ Example
Muscular dystrophy is a type of myopathy.
🧠 Explanation
The term literally means muscle disease
This prefix means “self.”
What is auto-?
✅ Example
Autoimmune disease occurs when the body attacks itself.
🧠 Explanation
“Auto-” refers to self-generated actions.
This prefix means “below normal.”
What is hypo-?
✅ Example
Hypoglycemia = low blood sugar
🧠 Explanation
“Hypo-” means under or below normal levels.
This Greek suffix means "inflammation" and indicates an acute injury.
What is -itis?
✅ Example
Bursitis = inflammation of a bursa
🧠 Explanation
“-itis” indicates inflammatory conditions.
This Greek root means “muscle.”
What is myo?
✅ Example
Myopathy = muscle disease
🧠 Explanation
“Myo” appears in many muscular system terms.
This Latin term means “front of the body.”
What is anterior?“Anterior” is a Latin anatomical term used to describe structures located toward the front of the body.
✅ Example
The quadriceps are on the anterior side of the thigh.
What does:
form?
Answer
What is osteoporosis?
✅ Example
Stress fractures are more common in weakened bone.
🧠 Explanation
Osteoporosis causes reduced bone density.
If an athlete’s heart rate is dangerously fast, they are experiencing this Greek prefix.
➡️ fast
➡️ rapid tachycardia rapid heart rate,
In sports medicine, we use this Greek root when discussing "Joints."
What is arthro?
✅ Example
Arthritis = joint inflammation
🧠 Explanation
“Arthro” appears frequently in orthopedic medicine.
This suffix means "pain," such as in the term for muscle soreness.
What is -algia? (e.g., Myalgia)
This suffix means “pain.”
What is -algia?
✅ Example
Arthralgia = joint pain
🧠 Explanation
“-algia” refers to painful symptoms.
The word maximus in muscle names means this.
What is largest?
✅ Example
The gluteus maximus is the largest glute muscle.
🧠 Latin adjectives like maximus, medius, and minimus describe muscle size.
What term means:
What is neurology?
✅ Example
Neurology studies the nervous system and movement control.
🧠 Explanation
Students can decode complex terms by combining parts.
This prefix describes something located "around" a structure, like the membrane surrounding a bone.
What is Peri-? (e.g., Periosteum: membrane around bone , pericardium sac around the heart
If a trainer is talking about Osteo-, they are referring to this body part.
What is osteo?
✅ Example
Osteoblasts help build bone tissue.
🧠 Explanation
“Osteo” is common in skeletal system terminology.
This suffix means “to view” or “visual examination.”
What is -scopy?
✅ Example
Arthroscopy = viewing inside a joint
🧠 Explanation
“-scopy” involves using a camera or scope
This root means “joint.”
What is arthro?
✅ Example
Arthroscopy = viewing inside a joint
🧠 Explanation
“Arthro” appears in many orthopedic terms.
This prefix means “many” or “much.”
What is poly-?
✅ Example
Polyarthritis = inflammation in many joints
🧠 Explanation
“Poly-” indicates multiple structures.
What does:
form?
What is arthroscopy?
✅ Example
Athletes may undergo knee arthroscopy after injury.
🧠 Explanation
Arthroscopy is minimally invasive joint surgery.
This prefix means ➡️ within➡️ inside and is used to describe an injection given directly into a joint.
What is Intra-? (e.g., Intra-articular: inside a joint, intravenous: within a vein )
This root refers to "Nerves," often seen in injuries involving tingling or numbness.
What is neuro?
✅ Example
Neuromuscular training improves movement control.
🧠 Explanation
“Neuro” relates to nerves and the nervous system.
This suffix means “study of.”
What is -logy?
✅ Example
Physiology = study of body function
🧠 Explanation
“-logy” identifies academic or scientific study.
This root means “movement.”
What is kinesi?
✅ Example
Kinesiology = study of movement
🧠 Explanation
“Kinesi” is widely used in sport science and rehabilitation.
The Greek suffix -itis means this.
What is inflammation?
✅ Example
Tendonitis = inflammation of a tendon.
🧠 Explanation
“-itis” is one of the most common medical suffixes in sports medicine.
What does:
form?
What is cardiomyopathy?
✅ Example
Cardiomyopathy can impair athletic performance.
🧠 Explanation
The term means disease of the heart muscle.
-This prefix means “one.”
What is mono-?
✅ Example
Mononucleosis involves an increase in one nucleated cell type.
🧠 Explanation
“Mono-” means single or one.
his root means “heat.”
What is thermo?
✅ Example
Thermotherapy uses heat for treatment.
🧠 Explanation
“Thermo” relates to temperature and heat.
This suffix means “removal.”
What is -ectomy?
✅ Example
Meniscectomy = removal of meniscus tissue
🧠 Explanation
“-ectomy” describes surgical removal procedures.
This suffix means “disease.
What is -pathy?
✅ Example
Encephalopathy = brain disease
🧠 Explanation
“-pathy” describes pathological conditions.
This prefix means “fast.”
What is tachy-?
✅ Example
Tachycardia = fast heart rate
🧠 Explanation
“Tachy-” describes increased speed or rate.
Break down this term:
“Electromyography”
➡️ recording electrical activity of muscles
✅ Example
EMG testing helps evaluate muscle and nerve function.
This prefix means “above normal” or “excessive.”
What is hyper-?
✅ Example
Hypertension = high blood pressure
🧠 Explanation
“Hyper-” means too much or excessive.
This root means “lung” or “air.”
Answer
What is pneumo?
✅ Example
Pneumonia affects the lungs.
🧠 Explanation
“Pneumo” refers to breathing and lung structures.
This suffix means “record” or “image.”
What is -gram?
✅ Example
Electrocardiogram (ECG) records heart activity.
🧠 Explanation
“-gram” refers to a written or visual record.
This root means “skin.”
What is dermato?
✅ Example
Dermatitis = skin inflammation
🧠 Explanation
“Dermato” refers to skin tissues.
This prefix means “difficult” or “abnormal.”
What is dys-?
✅ Example
Dysfunction = impaired function
🧠 Explanation
“Dys-” commonly describes abnormal movement or body function.
Break down:
“Neurology”
➡️ study of the nervous system
✅ Example
Neurology helps explain movement control and reflexes.