Medical Terminology: Prefixes, Suffixes, and Combining Forms

Foundational medical terminology word parts, including common prefixes, suffixes, and combining forms.

a-, an-

without; not

anti-

against

brady-

slow

tachy-

fast

hyper-

excessive; high

hypo-

below; low

peri-

around

endo-

within

epi-

upon; above

sub-

under; below

-itis

inflammation

-ectomy

surgical removal

-algia

pain

-ology

study of

-osis

abnormal condition

-emia

blood condition

-megaly

enlargement

-pathy

disease

-scopy

visual examination

-gram

record or picture

cardi/o

heart

neur/o

nerve

encephal/o

brain

dermat/o

skin

oste/o

bone

my/o

muscle

arthr/o

joint

gastr/o

stomach

hepat/o

liver

trich/o

hair