Word Parts
A word part found at the beginning of a medical term.
Prefix
A prefix that means "no" or "without"
A- or An-
A prefix that means "before"
pre-
surgical removal
Define the suffix: -um
structure
A word part found at the end of a medical term that modifies the meaning of the term.
suffix
A prefix that means "difficult, painful, or bad"
Dys-
A prefix that means "after"
post-
Define the suffix: -scope
instrument to examine
Define the suffix: -logy
study of
The word part that gives a medical term its essential meaning.
Root
Two opposite prefixes that mean "toward" and "away from". Which term means which?
Ad- and Ab-
A prefix that means "good, easy, or normal"
eu-
Define the suffix: -itis
inflammation
Define the suffix: -megaly
enlargement
A combination of a root word and a combining vowel
Combining form
Define the following prefixes:
Hyper-
Hypo-
above, increased, more than normal
decreased, low, less than normal
Define the following prefixes:
Ecto-
Endo-
outside
inside/ within
Define the suffix: -lysis
separation; breakdown
Define the suffix: -centesis
surgical puncture to remove fluid or gas
The most common combining vowel in medical terminology
O
Define the following prefixes:
Inter-
Intra-
Between
Within
Define the following prefixes:
Poly-
Oligo-
many, excess
scant, few, little
Define the following suffixes:
-malacia
-sclerosis
abnormal softening
abnormal hardening
List FOUR suffixes that mean "pertaining to"
-ac; -al; -an; -ary; -ic; -ous