NCCT Prefixes Suffixes Root Words

supra-, super-, epi-

Above, over, or on top of

anti-, contra-

Against or opposed to

hypo-, sub-, infra-

Below, under, or deficient

retro-, poster/o-, dors/o-

Behind or located in the back

inter-

Between

intra-, endo-

Inside or within

dys-

Difficult, painful, bad, or disordered

tachy-

Fast or abnormally rapid

brady-

Slow or abnormally decreased rate

a-, an-

Without, not, or lacking

-ectomy

Surgical excision or removal

-tomy

Surgical incision or cutting into

-ostomy

Surgical creation of a new opening

-plasty

Surgical repair or reconstruction

-centesis

Surgical puncture to aspirate fluid

-itis

Inflammation

-megaly

Abnormal enlargement

-malacia

Abnormal softening of tissue

-sclerosis

Abnormal hardening of tissue

-ptosis

Drooping, sagging, or prolapse

-rrhea

Flow or excessive discharge

-rrhexis

Rupture or bursting forth

-penia

Deficiency or abnormal reduction in number

-tripsy

Crushing (such as of a stone)

-pexy

Surgical fixation or suspension

enter/o

Intestine

hepat/o

Liver

cholecyst/o

Gallbladder

nephr/o, ren/o

Kidney

cyst/o

Urinary bladder or sac

oophor/o

Ovary

salping/o

Fallopian tube

colp/o

Vagina

melan/o

Black

cyan/o

Blue

erythr/o

Red

leuk/o

White

my/o

Muscle

oste/o

Bone

arthr/o

Joint

chondr/o

Cartilage

blephar/o

Eyelid

pneumon/o, pulmon/o

Lung

angi/o, vas/o

Vessel (blood or lymph)

Endocrinologist

Physician specializing in hormone-producing glands and metabolic disorders

Epidemiologist

Scientist specializing in tracking, patterns, and causes of disease in populations

Gastroenterologist

Physician specializing in digestive disorders affecting the stomach and intestines

Nephrologist

Physician specializing in diseases and conditions of the kidneys

Obstetrician

Physician specializing in pregnancy, childbirth, and postpartum care

Otolaryngologist

Physician specializing in diseases and conditions of the ears, nose, and throat

Pathologist

Physician who analyzes bodily fluids, cells, and tissues to diagnose diseases

Podiatrist

Medical specialist focused on the examination and treatment of foot and ankle conditions

Rheumatologist

Physician specializing in arthritis and chronic autoimmune or joint disorders