Anatomy Root Words Master Cards

all root words, example words for memory purposes, may not exactly match root

a-, an-

without

(anemia, anomaly)

ab-

away from

(abstract)

ac-

sharp

toward

(acupuncture)

acou-, acous-

hear

(acoustic)

acros-

highest

(acrobat)

ad-

toward

(adventure)

adip-

fat

aero-

air

(aeroplane)

-al

having the character of

(formal)

alb-

white

(albino)

alg-, -algia

pain

(fibromyalgia)

alto-

high

(alto saxophone)

ambi-

both

around

(ambient)

ameb-

change

(amoeba)

amni-

fetal membrane

(amniotic fluid)

amphi-, ampho

both

(amphibian)

amyl-

starch

(amylase)

ana

up, back, against

(anatomy)

andro-

masculine

(androgynous)

ang-

choke

(angst)

angi-

blood vessel

(angioplasty)

ante-

before

(antes)

anter-

front

(anterior)

anti-

against

(antidisestablishmentarianism)

anthropo-

human

(anthropology)

aqu-

water

(aquatic)

archaeo-

ancient

(archaeology)

-ary, -arium

a place for 

(atrium) 

arthr-

joint

(arthritis)

-ase

name of enzymes

(amylase)

aster-, astr-

star

(astrology)

-ate

the act of

(imitate)

audi-

hear

(audio)

aur

ear

(auricle)

auto

self

(automate)

baro-

weight

(barometer)

bath-

depth

(bathtub)

bene-

good

(beneficial)

bi-

two

twice

(bisexual)

bi-, bio-

life

(biology)

-blast

embryo

(glioblastoma)

brachi-

arm

(biceps brachii)

brachy-

short

(brachydactyly)

brev-

short

(breve)

bronch-

windpipe

(bronchitis)

calor-

heat

(calor)

capill-

hair

(capillaries)

capit-

head

(capitulate)

carcin-

cancer

(carcinogen)

cardi-

heart

(cardiovascular)

carn-

meat

(carnivore)

carpus

wrist

(carpals)

cata

breakdown

(catastrophic)

caud

tail

(caudally)

-cell

chamber

(cell)

centi

hundredth

(centimeter)

centr

center

(central)

cep, cephal

head

(hydrocephalus)

cerebr-

brain

(cerebral)

cervic

neck

(cervix)

chir-

hand

(chiropractor)

chondr-

granule

(mitochondria)

chrom-, -chome

color

(chromosome)

chron-

time

(chronological)

-chym

juice

(chyme)

-cid, -cis-

cut, kill

(suicide) (homicide)

circa-, circum-

around

(circumfrence)

co-

with

(cohabit)

cocc-

seed

(cocci)

coll-

glue

(collab)

coni-

cone

(coni - cone)

condyle

knuckle

contra

against

(contrast)

coracoid

raven

(type of the bird, coracoid of scapular)

corona

crown

(coronavirus)

corp

body

(corpus, corpse)

cort-, cortic

outer layer

(court, outer court)

counter-

against

(counterattack)

crani-

skull

(cranium)

coronoid

hooked

(coronoid of ulna)

cresc-, cret-

grow

(crescendo)

crista-

crest

(cristal)

crypt-

hidden

(secret crypt)

-cul, -cule

small

(diminutive)

cuti-

skin

(cuticle)

cyan

blue

(color cyan)

-cyst

sac

(ganglion cyst)

cyt-, cyte-

cell

(cytoplasm)

dactyl-

finger

(brachydactyly)

de-

away from

(detract)

deci-

tenth

(decimal)

delta-

triangular

(delta delta delta, “tri-del”)

demi-

half

(demigod)

dendr-

tree

(dendrites - like branching tree)

dent-

tooth

(dentist)

derm

skin

(dermis)

di-, dipl-

two

(diploid)

di-, dia-

across

(diameter)

digit-

finger

(digits)

dis-

apart

(disabled)