List of medical roots, suffixes and prefixes

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This is a list of roots, suffixes, and prefixes used in medical terminology, their meanings, and their etymology. A few rules should be noted when using medical roots. Firstly, prefixes and suffixes, primarily in Greek -- but also in Latin, have a droppable -o-. As a general rule, this -o- almost always acts as a joint-stem to connect two consonantal roots, e.g. arthr- + -o- + logy = arthrology. But generally, the -o- is dropped when connecting to a vowel-stem, e.g. arthr- + itis = arthritis, instead of arthr-o-itis. Secondly, medical roots generally go together according to language: Greek prefixes go with Greek suffixes and Latin prefixes with Latin suffixes. Although it is technically considered acceptable to create hybrid words, it is strongly preferred to not mix different lingual roots.

Prefixes and suffixes

The following is an alphabetical list of medical prefixes and suffixes, along with their meaning, origin, and an English example.

A

Prefix/suffix	Meaning	Origin language and etymology	Example(s)
a-, an-	Denotes an absence of	Ancient Greek α-/αν- (a-/an-), without, not	Apathy
ab-	away from		Abduction
abdomin(o)-	Of or relating to the Abdomen	Latin (abdōmen), abdomen, fat around the belly	Abdomen
-ac	pertaining to
acous(o)-	Of or relating to hearing
acr(o)-	extremity/topmost
-acusis	hearing condition
-ad	toward, in the direction of
ad-	increase, adherence, motion toward, very		Adduction
aden(o)-, aden(i)-	Of or relating to a gland	Ancient Greek αδην, αδέν- (adēn, aden-), an acorn; a gland	Adenology
adip(o)-	Of or relating to fat or fatty tissue	Latin (adeps, adip-), fat	Adipocyte
adren(o)-	Of or relating to adrenal glands
-aemia (BrE)	blood condition	Greek Ἀναιμία, without blood	Anaemia
aer(o)-	air, gas
aesthesio- (BrE)	sensation
-al	pertaining to		Abdominal
alb-	Denoting a white or pale color	Latin (albus), white	Albino
alge(si)-	pain
-algia	pain		Myalgia
alg(i)o-	pain
allo-	Denoting something as different, or as an addition	Ancient Greek αλλος (allos), another, other	Alloantigen, allopathy
ambi-	Denoting something as positioned on both sides; Describing both of two	Latin (ambi-, ambo), both, on both sides	Ambidextrous
an-	not, without		Analgesia
an(o)	anus
andr/o	pertaining to a man
angi-	blood vessel		Angiogram
aniso-	Describing something as unequal	Ancient Greek ανῑσος (anīsos), unequal	Anisotropic
ankyl(o)-, ancyl(o)-	Denoting something as crooked or bent	Ancient Greek ανκύλος (ankýlos), crooked, curved	Ankylosis
ante-	Describing something as positioned in front of another thing	Latin (āntē), before, in front of	antepartum
anti-	Describing something as 'against' or 'opposed to' another	Ancient Greek αντι (anti), against	Antibody, antipsychotic
apo-	separated from, derived from		Apoptosis
arteri(o)-	Of or pertaining to an artery	Ancient Greek αρτηρία (artēría), a wind-pipe, artery (used distinctly versus a vein)	Artery, Arteriology
arthr(o)-	Of or pertaining to the joints, limbs	Ancient Greek αρθρος (arthros), a joint, limb	Arthritis
articul(o)-	joint		Articulation
-ary	pertaining to
-ase	enzyme		Lactase
-asthenia	weakness		Myasthenia gravis
-ation	process
aur(i)-	Of or pertaining to the ear	Latin (auris), the ear	Aural
aut(o)-	self, same		Autoimmune
axill-	Of or pertaining to the armpit [uncommon as a prefix]	Latin (axilla), armpit	Axilla

B

balan/o

Prefix/suffix	Meaning	Origin language and etymology	Example(s)
bacteri(o)-	bacteria		Bactericide
bi-	twice, double
bio-	life		Biology
blast(o)-	germ or bud		Blastomere
balan/o	glans penis
blephar(o)-	Of or pertaining to the eyelid	Ancient Greek βλέφαρον (blépharon), eyelid	Blepharoplast
brachi(o)-	Of or relating to the arm	Latin (brachium) < Ancient Greek βραχίων (brachiōn), arm	Brachium
brachy-	Indicating something as 'short' or less commonly 'little'	Ancient Greek βραχυς (brachys), short; little, shallow	brachycephalic
brady-	Indicating something as 'slow'	Ancient Greek βραδυς (bradys), slow	Bradycardia
bronch(i)-	bronchus		Bronchiolitis obliterans
bucc(o)-	Of or pertaining to the cheek	Latin (bucca), cheek	Buccolabial
burs(o)-	bursa		Bursitis

C

Prefix/suffix	Meaning	Origin language and etymology	Example(s)
capill-	Of or pertaining to hair	Latin (capillus), hair	Capillus
capit-	Pertaining to the head (as a whole)	Latin (caput, capit-), the head	Capitation
carcin(o)-	cancer		Carcinoma
cardi(o)-	Of or pertaining to the heart	Ancient Greek καρδία (kardía), heart	Cardiology
carp(o)-	Of or pertaining to the wrist.	Latin (carpus) < Ancient Greek καρπός (karpós), wrist; NOTE: This root need not be confused with the mirror root carp(o)- meaning fruit.	Carpopedal
cata-	down		Cataract
-cele	pouching, hernia		Hydrocele
-centesis	surgical puncture for aspiration		Amniocentesis
cephal(o)-	Of or pertaining to the head (as a whole)	Ancient Greek κέφαλή (képhalē), the head	Cephalalgy
cerat(o)-	Of or pertaining to the cornu; a horn	Ancient Greek κέρας, κερατ- (kéras, kerat-), a horn	Ceratioid
cerebell(o)-	Of or pertaining to the cerebellum	Latin (cerebellum), little brain	Cerebellum
cerebr(o)-	Of or pertaining to the brain	Latin (cerebrum), brain	Cerebrology
cervic-	Of or pertaining to the neck, the cervix	Latin (cervix, cervīc-), neck, cervix	Cervicodorsal
chem(o)-	chemistry, drug		Chemotherapy
chir(o)-, cheir(o)-	Of or pertaining to the hand	Ancient Greek χείρ, χειρο- (cheir, cheiro-), hand	Chiropractor
chlor(o)-	Denoting a green color	Ancient Greek χλορος (chloros), green, yellow-green	Chlorophyll
chol(e)-	Of or pertaining to bile	Ancient Greek χολή (cholē), bile	Cholaemia
cholecyst(o)-	Of or pertaining to the gallbladder	Ancient Greek χοληκύστις (cholēkýstis), gallbladder < χολη (cholē), bile, gall + κύστις (kýstis), bladder	Cholecystectomy
chondr(i)o-	cartilage, gristle, granule, granular		Chondrocalcinosis
chrom(ato)-	color		Hemachromatosis
-cidal, -cide	killing, destroying
cili-	Of or pertaining to the cilia, the eyelashes; eyelids	< Latin (cilium), eyelash; eyelid	Ciliary
circum-	Denoting something as 'around' another	Latin (circum), around	Circumcision
cis-	on this side
clast	break
co-	with, together, in association
col-, colo-, colono-	colon		Colonoscopy
colp(o)-	Of or pertaining to the vagina	Ancient Greek κόλπος (kólpos), bosom, womb; hollow, depth	Colposcopy
com-	with, together
contra	against		Contraindicate
cor-	with, together
cor-, core-, coro-	Of or pertaining to eye's pupil	Ancient Greek κόρη (kórē), girl, doll; pupil of the eye	Corectomy
cordi-	Of or pertaining to the heart [Uncommon as a prefix]	Latin (cor, cordi-), heart	Cardiology
cornu-	Applied to processes and parts of the body describing them likened or similar to horns	Latin (cornū), horn	Cardiology
cost(o)-	Of or pertaining to the ribs	Latin (costa), rib	Costochondral
crani(o)-	Belonging or relating to the cranium	Latin (cranium) < Ancient Greek κρᾱνίον (krānion), the cranium, skull, bones enclosing the brain	Craniology
-crine	to secrete		Endocrine
cry(o)-	cold
cox-	Of or relating to the hip, haunch, or hip-joint	Latin (coxa), hip	Coxopodite
cutane-	skin		Subcutaneous
cyan(o)-	Denotes a blue color	Ancient Greek κύανος, κυάνεος (kýanos, kyáneos), blue	Cyanopsia
cycl-	circle, cycle
cyph(o)-	Denotes something as bent [uncommon as a prefix]	Ancient Greek κυφός (kȳphós), bent, hunchback	Cyphosis
cyst(o)-, cyst(i)-	Of or pertaining to the urinary bladder	Ancient Greek κύστις (kýstis), bladder; cyst	Cystotomy
cyt(o)-	cell		Cytokine
-cyte	cell		Myocyte

D

Prefix/suffix	Meaning	Origin language and etymology	Example(s)
dacrio-	tear
dactyl(o)-	Of or pertaining to a finger, toe	Ancient Greek δάκτυλος (dáktylos), finger, toe	Dactylology
de-	away from, cessation
dent-	Of or pertaining to teeth	Latin (dens), tooth	Dentist
dermat-, derm-	Of or pertaining to the skin	Ancient Greek δέρμα, δέρματ- (dérma, démat-), skin, human skin	Dermatology
-desis	binding
dextr(o)-	right, on the right side		Dextrocardia
di-	separation, two
dia-	[same as Greek meaning]	Ancient Greek διά (diá), through, during, across	Diacetyl
dif-	separation
digit-	Of or pertaining to the finger [rare as a root]	Latin (digitus), finger, toe	Digit
dis-	separation, taking apart		Dissection
dors(o)-, dors(i)-	Of or pertaining to the back	Latin (dorsum), back	Dorsocephalad
duodeno-	duodenum - top of the stomach		Duodenal atresia
dynamo-	force, energy
-dynia	pain
dys-	bad, difficult		Dysphagia/ dysphasia

E

Prefix/suffix	Meaning	Origin language and etymology	Example(s)
-eal	pertaining to
ec-	out, away
ect(o)-	outer, outside		Ectopic pregnancy
-ectasis	expansion, dilation
-ectomy	Denotes a surgical operation or removal of a body part	Ancient Greek εκτομή (ectomē), excision	Mastectomy
-emesis	vomiting condition
-emia	blood condition (AmE)	Greek Ἀναιμία, without blood	Anemia
encephal(o)-	Of or pertaining to the brain	Ancient Greek ενκέφαλος (enképhalos), the brain	Encephalogram
endo-	Denotes something as 'inside' or 'within'	Ancient Greek ενδο- (endo-), inside, internal	Endocrinology
enter(o)-	Of or pertaining to the intestine	Ancient Greek έντερον (énteron), intestine	Enterology
epi-	[Same as Greek meaning]	Ancient Greek επι- (epi-), before, upon, on, outside, outside of	Epidermis
episi(o)-	Of or pertaining to the pubic region, the loins	Ancient Greek επίσιον- (epísion), the pubic area, loins; vulva	Episiorrhaphy
erythr(o)-	Denotes a red color	Ancient Greek ερυθρος (erythros), red	Erythrocyte
-esophageal, -esophago	gullet (AmE)
esthesio-	sensation (AmE)
eu-	good, well
ex-	out of, away from
exo-	Denotes something as 'outside' another	Ancient Greek εξο- (exo-), outside of, external	Exoskeleton
extra-	outside
edopotra-	stiff

F

Prefix/suffix	Meaning	Origin language and etymology	Example(s)
faci(o)-	Of or pertaining to the face	Latin (faciēs), the face, countenance	Facioplegic
fibr(o)	fiber
-form, -iform	Used to form adjectives indicating 'having the form of'	Latin (forma), form, shape	Cuneiform
front-	Of or pertaining to the forehead	Latin (frōns, front-), the forehead	Frontonasal

G

Prefix/suffix	Meaning	Origin language and etymology	Example(s)
galact(o)-	milk		Galactorrhea
gastr(o)-	Of or pertaining to the stomach	Ancient Greek γαστήρ (gastēr), stomach, belly	Gastric bypass
-gen	(1) Denotes the sense 'born in, from' (2) Denotes the sense 'of a certain kind'	Ancient Greek -γενής (-genēs) < γεν-νάειν (gen-náein), to be born	(1) Endogen; (2) Heterogenous
-genic	Pertaining to, producing, produced by		Cardiogenic shock
genu-	Of or pertaining to the knee	Latin (genū), knee	Genu valgum
gingiv-	Of or pertaining to the gums	Latin (gingīva), gum	Gingivitis
glauc(o)-	Denoting a grey, bluish-grey color	Ancient Greek γλαυκός (glaúkos), grey, bluish-grey	Glaucoma
gloss(o)-, glott(o)-	Of or pertaining to the tongue	Ancient Greek γλῶσσα, γλῶττα (glōssa, glōtta), tongue	Glossology
gluco-	glucose		Glucocorticoid
glyco-	sugar		Glycolysis
gnath(o)-	Of or pertaining to the jaw	Ancient Greek γνάθος (gnáthos), jaw	Gnathodynamometer
gon/o	seed; semen.	Ancient Greek
-gram	recording		Angiogram
-graph	Denotes a written, drawn, or graphic interpretation	Ancient Greek -γραφία (-graphía), written, drawn, graphic interpretation	Electrocardiograph
-graphy	process of recording		Angiography
gyn(o)-, gynae(co)- (BrE), gyne(co)- (AmE)	woman		Gynecomastia

H

Prefix/suffix	Meaning	Origin language and etymology	Example(s)
halluc-	Of or pertaining to the thumb, the big toe	Corrupted word formation < Classical Latin (hallex, hallicis), thumb, big toe	Hallucinosis
hemat-, haemato- (haem-, hem-)	Of or pertaining to blood	Latin (hæma) < Ancient Greek αίμα, αίματ- (haima, haimat-), blood	Hematology, older form Haematology
hema-	blood (AmE)		Hematological malignancy
hemi-	one-half	Ancient Greek ἡμι- (hēmi-), "half"	Cerebral hemisphere
hepat- (hepatic-)	Of or pertaining to the liver	Ancient Greek ηπαρ, ηπατο- (hēpar, hēpato-), the liver	Hepatology
hetero-	Denotes something as 'the other' (of two), as an addition, or different	Ancient Greek έτερος (héteros), the other (of two), another; different	Heterogeneous
hidr(o)-	sweat		Hyperhidrosis
hist(o)-, histio-	tissue		Histology
homo-	Denotes something as 'the same' as another, alike, or common	Ancient Greek ομο- (homo-), the same; alike; common	Homosexuality
humer(o)-	Of or pertaining to the shoulder (or [rarely] the upper arm)	Incorrect Etymology < Latin (umerus), shoulder	Humerus
hydr(o)-	water		Hydrophobe
hyper-	Denotes something as 'extreme' or 'beyond normal'	Ancient Greek υπερ (hyper), over, above; beyond, to the extreme	Hypertension
hyp(o)-	Denotes something as 'below normal'	Ancient Greek υπ(ο)- (hypo-), below, under	Hypodermic,
hyster(o)-	Of or pertaining to the womb, the uterus	Ancient Greek υστέρα (hystéra), womb	Hysterectomy

I

Prefix/suffix	Meaning	Origin language and etymology	Example(s)
-ia(sis)	condition
iatr(o)-	Of or pertaining to medicine, or a physican [uncommon as a prefix; common as as suffix, see -iatry]	Ancient Greek ιᾱτρός (iātrós), healer, physician	Iatrochemistry
-iatry	Denotes a field in medicine of a certain body component	Ancient Greek ιᾱτρός (iātrós), healer, physician	Podiatry, Psychiatry
-ic	pertaining to		Hepatic artery
-icle	small		Ovarian follicle
-ics	organized knowledge, treatment
idio-	self, one's own	Greek ἴδιος, idios, "one's own"	Idiopathic
ileo-	ileum		Ileocecal valve
infra-	below		Infrahyoid muscles
inter-	between, among		Interarticular ligament
intra-	within		Intracranial hemorrhage
irid(o)-	iris		Iridectomy
ischio-	Of or pertaining to the ischium, the hip-joint	Ancient Greek ισχιόν (ischión), hip-joint, ischium	Ischiorrhogic
-ism	condition, disease		Dwarfism
-ismus	spasm, contraction
iso-	Denoting something as being 'equal'	Ancient Greek ίσος (ísos), equal	Isotonic
-ist	one who specializes in		Pathologist
-ite	the nature of, resembling		Hermaphrodite
-itis	inflammation		Tonsillitis
-ium	structure, tissue

K

Prefix/suffix	Meaning	Origin language and etymology	Example(s)
karyo-	nucleus	Greek κάρυον, "nut"	Eukaryote
kerat(o)-	cornea (eye or skin)		Keratoscope
kin(e)-, kin(o), kinesi(o)-	movement		Kinesiology
kyph(o)-	humped		Kyphoscoliosis

L

Prefix/suffix	Meaning	Origin language and etymology	Example(s)
labi(o)-	Of or pertaining to the lip	Latin (labium), lip	Labiodental
lacrim(o)-	tear		Lacrimal canaliculi
lact(i)-, lact(o)	milk		Lactation
lapar(o)-	Of or pertaining to the abdomen-wall, flank	Ancient Greek λαπάρᾱ (lapárā), flank	Laparotomy
laryng(o)-	Of or pertaining to the larynx, the lower throat cavity where the voice box is	Ancient Greek λάρυγξ, λαρυγγ- (lárynx, laryng-), throat, gullet	Larynx
latero-	lateral
lei(o)-	smooth		Leiomyoma
-lepsis, -lepsy	attack, seizure		Epilepsy, nacrolepsy
lepto-	light, slender
leuc-, leuk(o)-	Denoting a white color	Ancient Greek λευκος (leukos), white, bright	Leukocyte
lingu(a)-, lingu(o)-	Of or pertaining to the tongue	Latin (lingua), tongue	Linguistics
lip(o)-	fat		Liposuction
lith(o)-	stone, calculus		Lithotripsy
log(o)-	speech
-logist	Denotes someone who studies a certain field: _____-ology	Ancient Greek λογιστης (logistēs), studier, practitioner	Oncologist, pathologist
-logy	Denotes the academic study or practice of a certain field	Ancient Greek λογoς (logos) study	hematology, urology
lymph(o)-	lymph		Lymphedema
lys(o)-, -lytic	dissolution		Lysosome

M

Prefix/suffix	Meaning	Origin language and etymology	Example(s)
macr(o)-	large, long		Macrophage
-malacia	softening		Osteomalacia
mamm(o)-	Of or pertaining to the breast	Latin (mamma), breast; udder	Mammogram
manu-	Of or pertaining to the hand	Latin (manus), hand	Manufacture
mast(o)-	Of or pertaining to the breast	Ancient Greek μαστός (mastós), breast, women's breast; man's pectoral muscle	Mastectomy
meg(a)-, megal(o)-, megaly	large
melan(o)-	Denoting a black color	Ancient Greek μελας, μελανο- (melas, melano-), black; dark	Melanin
mening(o)-	meninges		Meningitis
mes(o)-	middle	Ancient Greek μέσος (mesos), "middle"	Mesoderm
meta-	after, behind		Metacarpus
-meter	instrument for measuring		Sphygmomanometer
-metry	process of measuring		Optometry
metr(o)-	Pertaining to conditions or instruments of the uterus	Ancient Greek μήτρᾱ (mētrā), womb, uterus	Metrorrhagia
micro-	denoting something as small, or relating to smallness	Ancient Greek μικρος (mikros), small	Microscope
mon(o)-	single		Infectious mononucleosis
morph(o)-	form, shape		Morphology
muscul(o)-	muscle		Musculoskeletal system
my(o)-	Of or relating to muscle	Ancient Greek μυς, μυ- (mys, my-), muscle; mouse; mussel	Myoblast
myc(o)-	fungus		Onychomycosis
myel(o)-	Of or relating to bone marrow	Ancient Greek μυελον (myelon), marrow; bone-marrow	Myeloblast
myring(o)-	eardrum		Myringotomy
myx(o)-	mucus		Myxoma

N

Prefix/suffix	Meaning	Origin language and etymology	Example(s)
nas(o)-	Of or pertaining to the nose	Latin (nāsum), nose	nasal
necr(o)-	death		Necrotizing fasciitis
neo-	new		Neoplasm
nephr(o)-	Of or pertaining to the kidney	Ancient Greek νεφρός (nephrós), kidney	Nephrology
nerv-	Of or pertaining to nerves and the nervous system [Uncommon as a root: neuro- mostly always used]	Latin (nervus), tendon; nerve; Cognate with the Greek νευρον (neuron) (see below)	Nerve
neur(i)-, neur(o)-	Of or pertaining to nerves and the nervous system	Ancient Greek νευρον (neuron), tendon, sinew; nerve	Neurology
normo-	normal		Normocapnia

O

Prefix/suffix	Meaning	Origin language and etymology	Example(s)
ocul(o)-	Of or pertaining to the eye	Latin (oculus), the eye	Oculist
odont(o)-	Of or pertaining to teeth	Ancient Greek οδούς, οδοντ- (odoús, odont-), tooth	orthodontist
odyn(o)-	pain
-oesophageal, oesophago- (BrE)	gullet
-oid	resemblance to
ole	small or little
olig(o)-	Denoting something as 'having little, having few'	Ancient Greek ολιγος (oligos), few	Oligotrophy
om(o)-	Of or pertaining to the shoulder	Ancient Greek ωμος (ōmos), shoulder	Omoplate
-oma (singular), -omata (plural)	tumor
omphal(o)-	Of or pertaining to the navel, the umbilicus	Ancient Greek ομφαλός (omphalós), navel, belly-button	Omphalotomy
onco-	tumor, bulk, volume		Oncology
onych(o)-	Of or pertaining to the nail (of a finger or toe)	Ancient Greek < όνυξ, όνυχο- (ónyx, ónycho-), nail; claw; talon	Onychophagy
oo-	Of or pertaining to the an egg, a woman's egg, the ovum	Ancient Greek ωόν, ωο- (ōón, ōo-), egg, ovum	Oogenesis
oophor(o)-	Of or pertaining to the woman's ovary	Ancient Greek ωφόρον (ōphóron), ovary, egg-bearing	Oophorectomy
ophthalm(o)-	Of or pertaining to the eye	Ancient Greek οφθαλμός (ophthalmós), the eye	Ophthalmology
optic(o)-	Of or relating to chemical properties of the eye	Middle French (optique) < Greek οπτικός (optikós); Cognate with Latin oculus, relating to the eye	Opticochemical
or(o)-	Of or pertaining to the mouth	Latin (ōs, or-), mouth	Oral
orchi(o)-, orchido-	testis
orth(o)-	Denoting something as straight or correct	Ancient Greek ορθος (orthos), straight, correct, normal	Orthodontist
-osis	a condition, disease or increase
osseo-	bony
ossi-	bone
ost(e)-, oste(o)-	bone
ot(o)-	Of or pertaining to the ear	Ancient Greek ους, ωτ- (ous, ōt-), the ear	Otopathy
-otomy			Tracheotomy, radial keratotomy
-ous	pertaining to
ovari(o)-	Of or pertaining to the ovaries	Latin (ōvarium), ovary	Ovariectomy
ovo-, ovi-, ov-	Of or pertaining to the eggs, the ovum	Latin (ōvum), egg, ovum	Ovogenesis
oxo-	addition of oxygen
oxy-	sharp, acid, acute, oxygen

P

Prefix/suffix	Meaning	Origin language and etymology	Example(s)
pachy-	thick
palpebr-	Of or pertaining to the eyelid [uncommon as a root]	Latin (palpebra), eyelid	Palpebra
pan-, pant(o)-	Denoting something as 'complete' or containing 'everything'	Ancient Greek πας, παν- (pas, pan-), all, every	panophobia, panopticon
papill-	Of or pertaining to the nipple (of the chest/breast)	Latin (papilla), nipple; dimunitive of papula (see below)	Papillitis
papul(o)-	Indicates papulosity, a small elevation or swelling in the skin, a pimple, swelling	Latin (papula), pimple, pustle; a small elevation or swelling in the skin	Papulation
para-	alongside of, abnormal
-paresis	slight paralysis
path(o)-	disease
-pathy	Denotes (with a negative sense) a disease, or disorder	Ancient Greek παθος (pathos), suffering, accident	sociopathy, neuropathy
ped-, -ped-, -pes	Of or pertaining to the foot; -footed	Latin (pēs, pēd-), foot	Pedoscope
pelv(i)-, pelv(o)-	hip bone
-penia	deficiency
-pepsia	Denotes something relating to digestion, or the digestive tract.	Ancient Greek πεπτός (peptós) cooked, digested < πέσσω (péssō) I boil, cook; digest	Dyspepsia
per-	through
peri-	Denoting something with a position 'surrounding' or 'around' another	Ancient Greek περι- (peri-), around	Periodontal
-pexy	fixation
phaco-	lens-shaped
-phage, -phagia	Forms terms denoting conditions relating to eating or ingestion	Ancient Greek φαγἰα (phagía) eating < φαγειν (phagein) to eat	Sarcophagia
phago-	eating, devouring
-phagist:	Forms nouns that denote a person who 'feeds on' the first element or part of the word	Ancient Greek φαγιστης (phagistēs) eater; see -phagia	Lotophagis
-phagy	Forms nouns that denotes 'feeding on' the first element or part of the word	Ancient Greek φαγια (phagia) eating; see -phagia	Anthropophagy
pharmaco-	drug, medication
pharyng(o)-	Of or pertaining to the pharynx, the upper throat cavity	Ancient Greek φάρυγξ, φάρυγγ- (phárynx, pháryng-), throat, windpipe; chasm	Pharyngitis, Pharyngoscopy
-phil(ia)	attraction for
phleb(o)-	Of or pertaining to the (blood) veins, a vein	Ancient Greek φλεψ, φλεβ- (phleps, phlebo-), blood-vessel, vein	Phlebography, Phlebotomy
phob(o)-	exaggerated fear, sensitivity
phon(o)-	sound
phos-	Of or pertaining to light or its chemical properties, now historic and used rarely. See the common root phot(o)- below.	Ancient Greek φλως, φλωτ- (phōs, phōt-), light	Phosphene
phot(o)-	Of or pertaining to light	Ancient Greek φλως, φλωτ- (phōs, phōt-), light	Photopathy
phren(i)-, phren(o)-, phrenico	diaphragm
-plasia	formation, development
-plasty	surgical repair, reconstruction
-plegia	paralysis		paraplegia
pleur(o)-, pleur(a)	Of or pertaining to the ribs	Latin (pleura) < Ancient Greek πλευρόν (pleurón), rib, side of the body	Pleurogenous
pneum(o)-	Of or pertaining to the lungs	Ancient Greek πνευμων, πνευμον- (pneumōn, pneumon-), lung < πνευμα (pneuma), wind, spirit	Pneumonocyte, Pneumonia
pneumat(o)-	air, lung
pod-, -pod-, -pus	Of or pertaining to the foot, -footed	Ancient Greek πούς, ποδ- (poús, pod-), foot	Podiatry
-poiesis	production
polio-	Denoting a grey color	Ancient Greek πολιός (poliós), grey	Poliomyelitis
poly-	Denotes a 'plurality' of something	Ancient Greek πολυς (polys), much, many	Polymyositis
por(o)-	pore, porous
porphyr(o)-	Denotes a purple color	Ancient Greek πορπύρα (porphýra), purple	Porphyroblast
post-	Denotes something as 'after' or 'behind' another	Latin (post), after, behind	Postoperation, Postmortem
pre-	Denotes something as 'before' another (in [physical] position or time)	Medieval Latin (pre-) < (Classical) Latin (præ), before, in front of	Prematurity
presby(o)-	old age
prim-	Denotes something as 'first' or 'most-important'	Latin (prīmus), first, most important	Primary
pro-	Denotes something as 'before' another (in [physical] position or time)	Ancient Greek προ (pro), before, in front of	Procephalic
proct(o)-	anus, rectum
prot(o)-	Denotes something as 'first' or 'most-important'	Ancient Greek πρωτος (prōtos), first; principle, most important	Protoneuron
psych(e)-, psych(o)	Of or pertaining to the mind	Ancient Greek ψυχή (psyché), breath, life, soul	Psychology, Psychiatry
-ptosis	falling, downward placement, prolapse
-ptysis	(a spitting), spitting, hemoptysis,	the spitting of blood derivied from the lungs or bronchial tubes
pulmon-, pulmo-	Of or relating to the lungs.	Latin (pulmo, pulmōn-, usually used in plural), a lung	Pulmonary
pyel(o)-	pelvis
pyo-	pus
pyro-	fever

Q

Prefix/suffix	Meaning	Origin language and etymology	Example(s)
quadr(i)-	four

R

Prefix/suffix	Meaning	Origin language and etymology	Example(s)
rachi(o)-	spine
radio-	radiation, radius
re-	again, backward
rect(o)-	rectum
ren(o)-	Of or pertaining to the kidney	Latin (rēnes), kidney	Renal
reticul(o)-	net
retro-	backward, behind
rhabd(o)-	rod shaped, striated
rhin(o)-	Of or pertaining to the nose	Ancient Greek ρῑς, ρῑνο- (rhīs, rhīno-), nose	Rhinoceros
rhod(o)-	Denoting a rose-red color	Ancient Greek ρόδον (rhódon), rose	Rhodophyte
-rrhage	burst forth
-rrhagia	discharge
-rrhaphy	surgical suturing
-rrhea (AmE)	flowing, discharge
-rrhexis	rupture
-rrhoea (BrE)	flowing, discharge
rubr(o)-	Of or pertaining to the red nucleus of the brain	Latin (ruber), red	Rubrospinal

S

Prefix/suffix	Meaning	Origin language and etymology	Example(s)
salping(o)-	Of or pertaining to the fallopian tubes	Ancient Greek σάρπιγξ, σαρπιγγ-, (sálpinx, salpingo-) trumpet [literally]	Salpingectomy
sangui-, sanguine-	Of or pertaining to blood	Latin (sanguis, sanguin-), blood	Sanguine
sarco-	muscular, fleshlike
schisto-	split, cleft
schiz(o)-	Denoting something 'split' or 'double-sided'	Ancient Greek; Irregular formation of the verb σχιζειν (schizein), to cut, split	Schizophrenia
scler(o)-	hardness
scoli(o)-	twisted
-scope	instrument for viewing
-scopy	use of instrument for viewing
semi-	one-half, partly
sial(o)-	saliva, salivary gland
sigmoid(o)-	sigmoid, sigmoid colon
sinistr(o)-	left, left side
sinus-	Of or pertaining to the sinus	Latin (sinus), a curve, bend, bay	Sinusitis
-sis	condition of
sito-	food, grain
somat(o)-, somatico-	body, bodily
spasmo-	spasm
sperma-, spermo-, spermato-	semen, spermatozoa
splanchn(i)-, splanchn(o)-	viscera
splen(o)-	spleen
spondyl(o)-	Of or pertaining to the spine, the vertebra	Greek σπόνδθλος / σφόνδθλος, (spóndylos / sphóndylos), the spine	Spondylitis
squamos(o)-	Denoting something as 'full of scales' or 'scaly'	Latin (sqāmōsus), full of scales; scaly	Squama
-stasis	stop, stand
-staxis	dripping, trickling
sten(o)-	Denoting something as 'narrow in shape' or pertaining to narrow-ness	Ancient Greek στενος (stenos), narrow; short	Stenography
steth(o)-	Of or pertaining to the upper chest, chest, the area above the breast and under the neck	Ancient Greek στηθος (stēthos), chest, cuirass	Stethoscope
stheno-	strength, force, power
stom(a)	mouth
stomat(o)-	Of or pertaining to the mouth	Ancient Greek στόμα, στοματ- (stóma, stomat-), mouth	Stomatogastric
-stomy	creation of an opening
sub-	beneath
super-	in excess, above, superior
supra-	above, excessive
sy(l)-, sym-, syn-, sys-	Indicates similarity, likeness, or being together; Assimilates before some consonants: before l to syl-, s to sys-, before a labial to sym-.	Ancient Greek συν- (syn), with, together	Synalgia, Syllable, Syssarcosis

T

Prefix/suffix	Meaning	Origin language and etymology	Example(s)
tachy-	Denoting something as fast, irregularly fast	Ancient Greek ταχυς (tachys), fast, quickly	Tachycardia
-tension, -tensive	blood pressure
thel(e)-, thel(o)-	Of or pertaining to a woman's teat, nipple [uncommon as a prefix]	Ancient Greek θηλή (thēlē), a teat, nipple	Thelephoroid
thely-	Denoting something as 'relating to a woman, feminine'	Ancient Greek θηλυς (thēlys), female, feminine	Thelygenous
therm(o)-	heat
thorac(i)-, thorac(o)-, thoracico-	Of or pertaining to the upper chest, chest; the area above the breast and under the neck	Latin (thōrāx) < Ancient Greek θώραξ (thōrax), chest, cuirass	Thorax
thromb(o)-	Of or relating to a blood clot, clotting of blood	Ancient Greek θρόμβος (thrómbos), lump, piece, clot of blood	Thrombus, Thrombocytopenia
thyr(o)-	thyroid
-tic	pertaining to
toco-	childbirth
-tome	cutting instrument
-tomy	cutting operation
tono-	tone, tension, pressure
-tony	tension
top(o)-	place, topical
tox(i)-, tox(o)-, toxico-	toxin, poison
trache(o)-	trachea
trachel(o)-	Of or pertaining to the neck	Ancient Greek τράχηλος (tráchēlos), neck	Trachelotomy
trans-	Denoting something as moving or situated 'across' or 'through'	Latin (trāns), across, through	Transfusion
trich(i)-, trichia, trich(o)-	Of or pertaining to hair, hair-like structure	Ancient Greek τρίξ, τριχ(ο)- (tríx, trich(o)-), hair	Trichotomy
-tripsy	crushing
-trophy	tissue,
-trophy	nourishment, development
tympan(o)-	eardrum

U

Prefix/suffix	Meaning	Origin language and etymology	Example(s)
-ula, -ule	small
ultra-	beyond, excessive
umbilic-	Of or pertaining to the navel, the umbilicus	Latin (umbilīcus), navel, belly-button	Umbilical
ungui-	Of or pertaining to the nail, a claw	Latin (unguis), nail, claw	Unguiform, Ungual
uni-	one
ur(o)-	Of or pertaining to urine, the urinary system; (specifically) pertaining to the physiological chemistry of urine	Ancient Greek ουρον (ouron), urine	Urology
uri(c)-, urico-	uric acid
urin-	Of or pertaining to urine, the urinary system	Latin (ūrīna), urine < Ancient Greek ουρον (ouron), see above.	Uriniferous
uter(o)-	Of or pertaining to the uterus or womb	Latin (uterus), womb, uterus	Uterus

V

Prefix/suffix	Meaning	Origin language and etymology	Example(s)
vagin-	Of or pertaining to the vagina	Latin (vāgīna), sheath, scabbard	Vagina
varic(o)-	swollen or twisted vein
vas(o)-	duct, blood vessel
vasculo-	blood vessel
ven-	Of or pertaining to the (blood) veins, a vein [used in terms pertaining to the vascular system ]	Latin (vēna), blood-vessel, vein	Vein, Venospasm
ventr(o)-	Of or pertaining to the belly; the stomach cavities	Latin (venter), the belly, the stomach; the womb	Ventrodorsal
vesic(o)-	Of or pertaining to the bladder	Latin (vēsīca), bladder; blister	Vesica
viscer(o)-	Of or pertaining to the internal organs, the viscera	Latin (viscera), internal organs; plural of (viscerum), internal organ	Viscera

X

Prefix/suffix	Meaning	Origin language and etymology	Example(s)
xanth(o)-	Denoting a yellow color, an abnormally yellow color	Ancient Greek ξανθός (xanthós), yellow	Xanthopathy

Y

Prefix/suffix	Meaning	Origin language and etymology	Example(s)
-y	condition or process of		Surgery

Z

Prefix/suffix	Meaning	Origin language and etymology	Example(s)
zo(o)-	animal, animal life
zym(o)-	fermentation, enzyme

English Meanings

This section contains lists of different root classification (e.g. body components, quantity, description, etc.). Each list is alphabetized by English meanings, with the corresponding Greek and Latin roots given.

Roots of the Body

Roots of Bodily Concepts

Bodily Concept	Greek Root	Latin Root	Other Root
Digestion	-pepsia	-	-
Disease	-pathy	-	-
Eating	-phagia	-	-

Roots of Body Parts & Components

[Internal Anatomy, External Anatomy, Body Fluids, Body Substances]

Body Part/Component	Greek Root	Latin Root	Other Root
abdomen	lapar(o)-	abodomin-	-
aorta	aort(o)-	aort(o)-	-
arm	brachi(o)-	-	-
armpit	-	axill-	-
artery	arteri(o)-	-	-
back	-	dors-	-
big toe	-	halluc-	-
bladder	cyst(o)-	vesic(o)-	-
blood	hemat-, haemat- (haem-, hem-)	sangui-, sanguine-	-
blood clot	thromb(o)-	-	-
blood vessel	angi(o)-	vascul-, vas-	-
body	somat-, som-	corpor-	-
bone	oste(o)-	ossi-	-
bone marrow, marrow	myel(o)-	medull-	-
brain	encephal(o)-	cerebr(o)-	-
breast	mast(o)-	mamm(o)-	-
chest	steth(o)-	thorac(i)-, thorac(o)-	-
cheek	-	bucc-	-
ear	ot(o)-	aur-	-
eggs, ova	oo-	ov-	-
eye	ophthalm(o)-	ocul(o)-	optic(o) [French]
eyelid	blephar(o)-	cili-; palpebr-	-
face	-	faci(o)-	-
fallopian tubes	sarping(o)-	sarping(o)-	-
fat, fatty tissue	-	adip-	lip(o)-
finger	dactyl(o)-	digit-	-
forehead	-	front(o)-	-
gallbladder	cholecyst(o)-	-	-
gland	aden(o)-	-	-
gums	-	gingiv-	-
hair	trich(o)-	capill-	-
hand	cheir(o)-, chir(o)-	manu-	-
head	cephal(o)-	capit(o)-	-
heart	cardi(o)-	cordi-	-
hip, hip-joint	-	cox-	-
horn	cerat(o)-	cornu-	-
intestine	enter(o)-	-	-
jaw	gnath(o)-	-	-
kidney	nephr(o)-	ren-	-
knee	-	genu-	-
lip	cheil(o)-, chil(o)-	labi(o)-	-
liver	hepat- (hepatic-)	-	-
loins, pubic region	episi(o)-	-	-
lungs	pneumon-	pulmon(i)- (pulmo-)	-
marrow, bone marrow	myel(o)-	medull-	-
mind	psych-	-	-
mouth	stomat(o)-	or-	-
muscle	my(o)-	-	-
nail	onych(o)-	ungui-	-
navel	omphal(o)-	umbilic-	-
neck	trachel(o)-	cervic-	-
nerve; the nervous system	neur(o)-	nerv-	-
nipple, teat	thele-	papill-	-
nose	rhin(o)-	nas-	-
ovary	oophor(o)-	ovari(o)-	-
pelvis	pyel(o)-	pelv(i)-	-
pupil (of the eye)	cor-, core-, coro-	-	-
rib	pleur(o)-	cost(o)-	-
shoulder	om(o)-	humer(o)-	-
sinus	-	sinus-	-
skin	dermat- (derm-)	cut-, cuticul-	-
skull	crani(o)-	-	-
stomach	gastr(o)-	ventr(o)-	-
throat (upper throat cavity)	pharyng(o)-	-	-
throat (lower throat cavity/voice box])	laryng(o)-	-	-
thumb	-	halluc-	-
tooth	odont(o)-(dent(i)-)	dent-	-
tongue	gloss-, glott-	lingu(a)-	-
toe	dactyl(o)-	digit-	-
tumour	cel-,onc(o)-	-	-
ureter	ureter(o)-	ureter(o)-	-
urethra	urethr(o)-, urethr(a)-	urethr(o)-, urethr(a)-	-
urine, urinary System	ur(o)-	urin(o)-	-
uterine tubes	sarping(o)-	sarping(o)-	-
uterus	hyster(o)-, metr(o)-	uter(o)-	-
vagina	colp(o)-	vagin-	-
vein	phleb(o)-	ven-	-
vulva	episi(o)-	vulv-	-
womb	hyster(o)-, metr(o)-	uter(o)-	-
wrist	carp(o)-	carp(o)-	-

Roots of Color

Color	Greek Root in English	Latin Root in English	Other Root
black	melano-	-	-
blue	cyano-	-	-
gray, grey	polio-	-	-
green	chlor-	-	-
purple	porphyr(o)-	purpur-, purpureo-	-
red	erythr(o)-, rhod(o)-	rub-, rubr-	-
red-yellow	cirrh(o)-	-	-
white	leuc-, leuk-	alb-	-
yellow	xanth(o)-	-	jaun - [French]

Roots of Description

[Size, Shape, Strength, Etc.]

Description	Greek Root in English	Latin Root in English	Other Root
bad, incorrect	cac(o)-, dys-	mal-	-
bent, crooked	ankyl(o)-	-	-
big	macr(o)-; mega-	magn-, magni-; magnus	-
biggest	-	maxim-; maximus, maximum	-
broad, wide	eury-	-	-
cold	cry(o)-	-	-
dead	necr(o)-	-	-
equal	iso-	-	-
false	pseudo-	-	-
female, feminine	thely-	-	-
flat	platy-	-	-
good, well	eu-	-	-
great	macr(o)-; mega-	magn-, magni-; magnus	-
hard	sclero-	-	-
heavy	-	grav-, gravis	-
hollow	coel(o)-	cav-	-
huge	megalo-	-	-
incorrect, bad	dys-, caco-	-	-
large; extremely large	macr(o)-; mega-	magn-, magni-; magnus	-
largest	-	maxim-; maximus, maximum	-
long	-	long-	-
narrow	sten(o)-	-	-
new	neo-	-	-
normal, correct; straight	ortho-	-	-
old	paleo-	-	-
sharp	oxy-	-	-
short	brachy-	-	-
small	micro-	parvi- (rare)	-
smallest	-	minim-, minimus	-
slow	brady-	-	-
fast	tachy-	-	-
soft	malac(o)-	-	-
straight; normal, correct	ortho-	-	-
thick	pachy-	-	-
varied, various	poikilo-	-	-
well, good	eu-	-	-
wide, broad	eury-	-	-

Roots of Position

Description	Greek Root in English	Latin Root in English	Other Root
around	peri-	circum-	-
left	-	sinistr-	-
middle	mes(o)-	medi-	-
right	dexi(o)-	dextr(o)-	-
surrounding	peri-	circum-	-

Roots of Quantity

[Amount, Quantity]

Description	Greek Root in English	Latin Root in English	Other Root
double, twice	diplo-	-	-
equal	iso-	-	-
few	oligo-	-	-
many, much	poly-	multi-	-

See also

• List of medical abbreviations
• Medical dictionary

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Acknowledgement and Attribution Regarding Sources of Content

Some of the initial content on this page may be incorporated in part from copyleft sources in the public domain including wikis such as Wikipedia and AskDrWiki. Drug information for patients came from the The National Library of Medicine. Infectious disease information may have come from the Centers for Disease Control (CDC). Differential Diagnoses are drawn from clinicians as well as an amalgamation of 3 sources: 1.The Disease Database; 2. Kahan, Scott, Smith, Ellen G. In A Page: Signs and Symptoms. Malden, Massachusetts: Blackwell Publishing, 2004:3; 3. Sailer, Christian, Wasner, Susanne. Differential Diagnosis Pocket. Hermosa Beach, CA: Borm Bruckmeir Publishing LLC, 2002:7 .