A thesaurus of medical root words prefixes

Root

word or word element from which other words are formed

Prefixes

those elements that change the meaning of a root and are properly prepositions and adverbs in Greek and Latin

Leading root compound

where the root under consideration comes at the beginning of a word comprised of at least two roots

trailing root compound

includes any word where the root under consideration follows another root

a- (an-)

negative

ex:

ablepsia-blindless or total lack of sight

ametria- congenital ansence of the uterus

atrophy- partial or complete wasting away, shrinking or loss of size of cell, tissue, organ, or body part that was once a normal size

anomaly- any feature, structure, or function of the body that deviates significantly from the average, standard, or healthy norm

ab- (abs-)

away from

ex:

abducent- drawing away from midline of the body

abscess- separation of tissue (a swollen, localized collection of pus enclosed in tightened tissues or organs)

abdomino- (abdomin-)

abdomen, belly

ex:

abdominocentesis- medical procedure that uses a needle or a thin tube to puncture the abdominal wall and withdraw fluid from the peritoneal cavity

abdominopelvic- large body cavity that houses major digestive, urinary, and reproductive organs

abdominalgia- pain in the abdomen (belly ache)

acantho (acanthro-, acanth-)

thorny, spiny

ex: acantrocyte- refers to an abnormal form of red blood cell that has a spiked cell membrane, due to thorny projections

ex: acanthesthesia- A type of paresthesia characterized by a tingling, numbing sensation as of being pierced by needles

aceto-

vinegar

ex:

acetometer - an instrument for estimating the amount of acetic acid in a solution (as vinegar)

acido- (acidi-, acid-)

acid, sharp, sour

ex:

acidocyte- white blood cell characterized by cytoplasmic granules that have an affinity for acidic stains (like eosin)

acidify- to become an acid or to make something become an acid

acidemia - a condition in which the hydrogen-ion concentration in the blood is increased

acousto- (acou)

hearing

ex:

acoustogram- the graphic tracing of the curves, delineated in frequencies per second and decibel levels, of sounds produced by motion of a joint.

acouesthesia-

acro- (acr-)

high, height

ex:

acrocephalic- describing a skull shape that is tall, pointed, or conical, often with a high vertical axis relative to its width

acrophobia- fear of heights

acrodynia- rare condition caused by mercury exposure

actino (actin-)

rays; of a radiated nature

ex:

actinology- scientific study of the effects of light, particularly its photochemical and photobiological impacts

actinolyte- obsolete device for administering actinic waves — a type of light therapy involving ultraviolet (UV) radiation

actinoid — a series of 15 metallic chemical elements in the periodic table with atomic numbers from 89 to 103 which are all radioactive and decay over time

acu-

needle, sharp

ex:

acupressure- applying pressure to different parts of the body. Acupressure can help reduce muscle tension, relieve pain, and more.

acupuncture- fine needles are inserted in the skin at specific points along what are considered to be lines of energy (meridians), used in the treatment of various physical and mental conditions:

ad- (ac-, af-, ag-, ap-, as-, at-)

to, at, toward

ex:

adaptation, addiction, adduction, accelerate, acclimation, accretion (growth or enlargement by a gradual buildup), affection, afferent, (conducting or bearing toward a central part or organ), affinity, agglutinant (causing or tending to cause adhesion), aggregate, appendage, appendix, assessment, assimilation, attenuate (to make something weaker, thinner, or less in magnitide, meaning toward thinness), attrition (act if rubbing things together so they grind down , wear away, or erode over time)

adeno (aden-)

gland

ex:

adenocele- type of swelling or cyst that occurs in glandular tissue or organ due to the accumulation of fluid

adenofibrosis-excessive fibrous (collagenous) stroma surrounding glandular tissue, most often seen in the breast and prostate

adenalgia- pain in a gland

aero (aeri-, aer-)

air

ex:

aerobiosis- aerobic respiration, is the process by which cells use oxygen to convert glucose into energy (ATP), carbon dioxide, and water.

aerocele- A cavity or pouch filled with or swollen by air or gas.

aeriferous- containing or conveying air

aerify- introduce air into a substance or to convert a substance into a gas.

aerodontia- The science of the effect of either increased or reduced atmospheric pressure on the teeth.

aerosis-accumulation or formation of gas in body tissues

aerotitis- stress on the eardrum that happens when the air pressure in the middle ear and the air pressure outside the ear are out of balance

albumino- (albumin-)

a whitish protein

ex:

albuminolysis- the process of breaking down albumin, a type of protein, in the body.

albuminuria- the most common form of proteinuria — occurs when you have a protein called albumin in your urine.

Algo- (algio-, alg-)

pain

ex:

algolagnia - Form of sexual perversion in which the infliction or the experiencing of pain increases the pleasure of the sexual act

algometer- medical instrument used to measure the minimum pressure on the skin that elicits a sensation of pain, quantifying pain sensitivity and tenderness

algiomotor- producing painful movements, such as spasm or dysperistalsis.

algesthesia- hypersensitivity to pain

Alkali- (alkal)

potash (an alkaline potassium compound, especially potassium carbonate or hydroxide.)

Ex:

alkaloid- natural organic compounds with nitrogen atoms that have various biological activities and tastes

alkaligenous- describe substances, materials, or chemical processes that generate or give rise to alkali.

alkalemia- A condition in which the hydrogen ion concentration in the blood is decreased

Allo- (all-)

other

ex:

allocentric- having one's interest and attention centered on other persons

allogamy- cross-fertilization

allergy

allotrio- (allotri-)

strange

ex:

allotriogeustia- abnormal sense of taste or appetite

allotriodontia- abnormal growth of a tooth in some location or the transplantation of teeth

allotriuria- A nonspecific term of uncertain validity for an abnormality of the urine

Alveolo- (alveol-, alveo-)

trough, channel, cavity, pit

ex:

alveolotomy- Surgical opening into a dental alveolus to allow drainage of pus from a periapical or other intraosseous abscess.

alveolalgia- Alveolalgia refers to pain or discomfort occurring in the alveoli, typically the sockets of the teeth, often following tooth extraction or dental procedures

alveolitis- inflammation of the dental alveolus, the bony socket where a tooth was located, or inflammation of the alveoli, the tiny air sacs in the lungs responsible for gas exchange

Ambi-

around, both

ex:

ambidextrous

amilaterial

Amblyo- (ambly-)

dull, blunted

ex:

amblyoscope- an instrument for training amblyopic eyes to function properly

amblyacousia- dullness or loss of hearing

amblyopia- (also called lazy eye) is a type of poor vision that usually happens in just 1 eye but less commonly in both eyes.

amino- (amin-)

ammonia (NH3)

ex:

aminoaciduria- condition where there is too much amino acids in the urine

aminosis- abnormal amino acid levels in the body,

aminuria- presence of excess amino acids in the urine,

Amnio- (amni-)

inner fetal membrane

ex:

amniocentesis- remove amniotic fluid and cells from the uterus for testing or treatment

amniorrhexis-rupture of the amniotic sac, commonly known as "water breaking," which can occur spontaneously or prematurely during pregnancy.

amnioma- Broad flat mass on the skin resulting from antenatal adhesion of the amnion.

amoebo- (amoeb-, amebi-, amebo-, ameb-)

pertaining to an amoeba or characteristic of amoeboid movement

ex:

amoebocyte- type of cell found in some invertebrates which has the shape and properties of an amoeba

amoebiasis- intestinal infection

amebicide- drug that kills or inhibits amoebas

amebiform-resembling, shaped like, or having the appearance of an amoeba — specifically, having an irregular or changing shape similar to that of an amoeba

ameboid-denoting or characteristic of an amoeba

ampho- (amphi-)

around, both

Ex:

amphogenic- producing approximately equal numbers of male and female offspring

amphotony- hypertonia of the entire autonomic nervous system

amphicelous- concave on both sides

amygdalo (amygdal-, amygda-)

tonsil

ex:

Amygdalopathy- a disease or disorder affecting the tonsils or the amygdala, depending on historical or modern usage.

amygdaloid- shaped like an almond

amylo- (amyl-)

starch

ex:

amylorrhea- presence of an abnormal amount of undigested starch in the feces, often indicating a deficiency of intestinal amylase activity.

amylemia- The hypothetical presence of starch in the circulating blood.

amyloid- a protein that is deposited in the liver, kidneys, spleen, or other tissues in certain diseases.

Ana-

again, up, intensive

ex”

anaysis

anaphoresis- movement of negatively charged particles (anions) toward the positive electrode (anode) under the influence of an electric field.

anatomy

ancon-

elbow

ex:

anconagra- acute gout of the elbow

anconitis - inflammation of the elbow joint

Andro- (andr-)

Male, man

ex:

androgenous-describes a person or style that combines both masculine and feminine characteristics, either in appearance, behavior, or expression.

andriatrics- Medical science relating to the treatment of diseases of male genital organs and of men in general

Ansio- (anis-)

unequal

anisocoria- condition where one pupil is noticeably larger or smaller than the other

anisogamy- sexual reproduction by the fusion of dissimilar gametes

anisodont- condition in which the teeth of an organism are unequal in size, length, or shape

anisopia- unequal vision in the two eyes

ankylo- (ankyl-)

stiffness

ex:

Ankylocolpos - medical term describing the narrowing or partial closure of the vagina

ankylodactylia- medical condition in which one or more fingers or toes are fused or stiffened

ankylosis- stiffening and immobility of a joint due to fusion of the bones.

ante- (antero-)

before

ex:

antechamber- small room leading to bigger room

anteflexion- forward bending of an organ, most commonly the uterus, so that its axis is bent upon itself.

anterodorsal- Describes a position at the head end (anterior) and toward the back (dorsal).

anthropo- (anthrop-)

man: mankind; human being

ex:

anthropoid- resembling a human being in form

anti- (ant-)

against

ex:

Antacids - medications that neutralize stomach acid to relieve heartburn, indigestion, and acid reflux.

antipyogenic- prevents or inhibits the formation of pus

antianemic - substance or drug that prevents or treats anemia by increasing red blood cells or hemoglobin in the blood.

Antro- (antr-)

cavity, antrum, sinus

ex:

antrobuccal- antianemic is a substance or drug that prevents or treats anemia by increasing red blood cells or hemoglobin in the blood.

antrocele- accumulation of fluid in the maxillary sinus.

antrodynia- pain in the maxillary region, particularly maxillary sinus pain

anus- (ano-)

anus

ex:

anovesical- Relating in any way to both anus and urinary bladder.

aorto- (aort-)

aorta

ex:

aortoclasia- rupture of the aorta

aortorraphy- surgical suturing or repair of the aorta

Aortalgia - considered a symptom, specifically pain originating from the aorta

aortarcitia- Aortarctia is a medical term historically used to describe narrowing of the aorta

aortectasis- mild, uniform dilation or enlargement of the aorta that does not meet the criteria for an aneurysm.

apico- (apic-)

apex, tip, summit

ex:

apicolysis- surgical procedure to collapse the apex of a lung

Apicotomy - surgical incision into an apical structure, most often referring to the removal of the root tip of a tooth

apicectomy - minor surgical dental procedure that removes the tip of a tooth’s root to treat persistent infection and save the tooth.

apo-

away

ex:

apocrine- type of exocrine gland

apoplexy- rupture of an internal organ and the associated symptoms (stroke)

aqua (aque)

water

arachno- (arachn-)

spider

archeo- (arche-, archi, arch-)

first, beginning, original

ex:

archiblast- formative part of the egg, as distinguished from the part that nourishes the embryo

Archigaster: The central part of an embryo in the early stages of development, specifically in organisms that undergo gastrulation, which is the process that shapes the embryonic development into specific layers

arterio- (arteri-, arter-)

artery

ex:

arteriomalacia- abnormal softening of the walls of an artery or arteries.

arteriopathy- disease of the arteries characterized by structural and functional abnormalities that can impair blood flow to tissues.