DC Anatomy Prefixes and Suffixes

a

without, not — Example: apnea. Sentence: Apnea means a temporary stop in breathing.

adeno-

gland — Example: adenoma. Sentence: An adenoma is a tumor arising from glandular tissue.

aero-

air — Example: aerobic. Sentence: Aerobic exercise requires oxygen.

albi-

white — Example: albino. Sentence: An albino animal has reduced pigmentation, giving it a very light appearance.

-algia

pain — Example: neuralgia. Sentence: Neuralgia is pain along the course of a nerve.

an-

without, not — Example: anemia. Sentence: Anemia is a condition involving a lack of healthy red blood cells.

andro- m

ale, man — Example: androgen. Sentence: Androgens are hormones associated with male development.

angi-

vessel — Example: angiogram. Sentence: An angiogram allows doctors to examine blood vessels.

ante-

before, in front of — Example: antepartum. Sentence: Antepartum refers to the period before childbirth.

anti-

against — Example: antibiotic. Sentence: An antibiotic works against certain bacteria.

-ase

enzyme — Example: lactase. Sentence: Lactase is an enzyme that breaks down lactose.

athero-

fatty plaque — Example: atherosclerosis. Sentence: Atherosclerosis occurs when fatty plaque builds up inside arteries.

auto-

self — Example: autoimmune. Sentence: An autoimmune disorder occurs when the immune system attacks the body's own tissues.

bi-

two — Example: bilateral. Sentence: Bilateral means affecting both sides of the body.

blasto-

germ, bud, immature cell — Example: blastocyst. Sentence: A blastocyst is an early stage of embryonic development.

brachi-

arm — Example: brachial. Sentence: The brachial artery supplies blood to the arm.

brady-

slow — Example: bradycardia. Sentence: Bradycardia means an abnormally slow heart rate.

broncho-

bronchus, airway — Example: bronchitis. Sentence: Bronchitis is inflammation of the bronchial tubes.

carcino-

cancer — Example: carcinoma. Sentence: A carcinoma is a type of cancer arising from epithelial cells.

cardi-

heart — Example: cardiac. Sentence: Cardiac muscle makes up most of the heart.

cauda-

tail — Example: caudal. Sentence: The caudal end of the spinal cord is toward the tail or lower end.

cephalo-

head, brain — Example: cephalic. Sentence: The cephalic region refers to the head.

cervi-

neck — Example: cervical. Sentence: The cervical vertebrae are located in the neck.

chondro-

cartilage — Example: chondromalacia. Sentence: Chondromalacia involves softening or damage of cartilage.

clast-

break, break down — Example: osteoclast. Sentence: An osteoclast breaks down bone tissue.

co-

together, with — Example: cooperate. Sentence: Muscles co-contract when they contract together to stabilize a joint.

contra-

against, opposite — Example: contraception. Sentence: Contraception is used to prevent pregnancy.

corpo-

body — Example: corpus. Sentence: The corpus callosum connects the two sides of the brain.

costa-

rib, side — Example: intercostal. Sentence: The intercostal muscles are located between the ribs.

cutane-, cuti-

skin — Example: subcutaneous. Sentence: Subcutaneous tissue lies beneath the skin.

cyto-

cell — Example: cytology. Sentence: Cytology is the study of cells.

derma-, dermato-

skin — Example: dermatitis. Sentence: Dermatitis causes inflammation of the skin.

dorsi-

back — Example: dorsal. Sentence: The dorsal side of the body refers to the back side.

dys-

bad, difficult, abnormal — Example: dysfunction. Sentence: Dysfunction means abnormal or impaired functioning.

ecto-

outside, outer — Example: ectoderm. Sentence: Ectoderm is the outer embryonic germ layer.

-ectomy

surgical removal — Example: appendectomy. Sentence: An appendectomy is the surgical removal of the appendix.

-emia

blood — Example: anemia. Sentence: Anemia is a blood condition involving too few healthy red blood cells.

encephalo-

brain, head — Example: encephalitis. Sentence: Encephalitis is inflammation of the brain.

endo-

inside, within — Example: endocardium. Sentence: The endocardium lines the inside of the heart.

epi-

upon, above, on — Example: epidermis. Sentence: The epidermis is the outer layer of the skin.

eryth-, erythro-

red — Example: erythrocyte. Sentence: An erythrocyte is a red blood cell.

eu-

good, normal, well — Example: eupnea. Sentence: Eupnea refers to normal, unlabored breathing.

exo-

outside, outward — Example: exocrine. Sentence: Exocrine glands release their secretions through ducts.

gastro-

stomach — Example: gastritis. Sentence: Gastritis is inflammation of the stomach lining.

-gen, -genesis

producing, formation, origin — Example: carcinogenesis. Sentence: Carcinogenesis is the process by which cancer develops.

glia-

glue, supporting nervous tissue — Example: glial. Sentence: Glial cells support and protect neurons in the nervous system.

gluco-

sugar, glucose — Example: glucosuria. Sentence: Glucosuria means glucose is present in the urine.

glyco-

sugar — Example: glycogen. Sentence: Glycogen is a stored form of glucose in the body.

gyn-

woman, female — Example: gynecology. Sentence: Gynecology is the branch of medicine dealing with the female reproductive system.

hemi-

half — Example: hemiplegia. Sentence: Hemiplegia is paralysis affecting one side of the body.

hemo-

blood — Example: hemoglobin. Sentence: Hemoglobin is a protein in red blood cells that carries oxygen.

hetero-

different, other — Example: heterogeneous. Sentence: A heterogeneous mixture contains different types of components.

histo-

tissue, web — Example: histology. Sentence: Histology is the study of tissues under a microscope.

homeo-

same, unchanging, steady — Example: homeostasis. Sentence: Homeostasis keeps the body's internal conditions relatively stable.

homo-

same — Example: homologous. Sentence: Homologous structures share a similar underlying structure.

hydro-

water — Example: hydrocephalus. Sentence: Hydrocephalus involves an abnormal buildup of cerebrospinal fluid in the brain.

hyper-

above, excessive — Example: hypertension. Sentence: Hypertension means abnormally high blood pressure.

hypo-

below, deficient — Example: hypoglycemia. Sentence: Hypoglycemia means abnormally low blood glucose.

infra-

below, beneath — Example: infrapatellar. Sentence: Infrapatellar means located below the kneecap.

inter-

between — Example: intercostal. Sentence: Intercostal muscles are located between the ribs.

intra-

within, inside — Example: intravenous. Sentence: Intravenous medication is given directly into a vein.

iso-

equal, same — Example: isotonic. Sentence: An isotonic solution has the same osmotic concentration as another solution.

-itis

inflammation — Example: arthritis. Sentence: Arthritis is inflammation of a joint.

juxta-

beside, next to — Example: juxtaglomerular. Sentence: Juxtaglomerular cells are located next to the kidney's glomerulus.

karyo-

nucleus, nut, kernel — Example: karyotype. Sentence: A karyotype displays the chromosomes contained in a cell.

lacto-

milk — Example: lactose. Sentence: Lactose is the main sugar found in milk.

lamina-

Layer, plate — Example: lamina. Sentence: The lamina is a part of a vertebra that helps form the vertebral arch.

lacrimo-

tear — Example: lacrimal. Sentence: The lacrimal glands produce tears.

latero-

side — Example: lateral. Sentence: Lateral means toward the side of the body.

leuko-

white, clear — Example: leukocyte. Sentence: A leukocyte is a white blood cell.

lyso-, lyto-, -lysis

break down, dissolve — Example: hemolysis. Sentence: Hemolysis is the breakdown of red blood cells.

macro-

large — Example: macrocephaly. Sentence: Macrocephaly means an unusually large head.

medi-

middle — Example: medial. Sentence: Medial means toward the middle of the body.

mega-

large, great — Example: megacolon. Sentence: Megacolon means an abnormally enlarged colon.

meso-

middle — Example: mesoderm. Sentence: Mesoderm is the middle embryonic germ layer.

meta-

change, beyond, after — Example: metastasis. Sentence: Metastasis occurs when cancer cells spread to other parts of the body.

micro-

small — Example: microscope. Sentence: A microscope allows scientists to view very small structures.

mono-

one, single — Example: monocyte. Sentence: A monocyte is a type of white blood cell.

morpho-

form, shape — Example: morphology. Sentence: Morphology is the study of the form and structure of organisms.

myo-, mysi-

muscle — Example: myocardium. Sentence: The myocardium is the muscular tissue of the heart.

neo-

new — Example: neonatal. Sentence: Neonatal refers to the period immediately after birth.

nephro-

kidney — Example: nephritis. Sentence: Nephritis is inflammation of the kidney.

neuro-

nerve, nervous system — Example: neurology. Sentence: Neurology is the study and treatment of the nervous system.

oo-

egg — Example: oocyte. Sentence: An oocyte is an immature egg cell.

oculo-

eye — Example: ocular. Sentence: Ocular refers to the eye.

-ology

study of — Example: biology. Sentence: Biology is the study of living organisms.

-oma

tumor, mass — Example: lymphoma. Sentence: A lymphoma is a cancer involving lymphatic tissue.

osteo-

bone — Example: osteoporosis. Sentence: Osteoporosis causes bones to become weaker and more fragile.

-oxia

oxygen — Example: hypoxia. Sentence: Hypoxia occurs when body tissues do not receive enough oxygen.

para-

beside, near, abnormal — Example: parathyroid. Sentence: The parathyroid glands are located near the thyroid gland.

patho-

disease — Example: pathology. Sentence: Pathology is the study of disease.

pedi-

child, foot — Example: pediatric. Sentence: Pediatric medicine focuses on the health of children.

peri-

around — Example: pericardium. Sentence: The pericardium is the sac surrounding the heart.

phago-, -phagia

eat, swallow — Example: phagocytosis. Sentence: Phagocytosis is the process by which cells engulf and digest particles.

-phasia

speech — Example: aphasia. Sentence: Aphasia can impair a person's ability to communicate through language.

philo-

loving, attraction to — Example: philology. Sentence: Philology involves a love and study of language and texts.

phobo-

fear — Example: photophobia. Sentence: Photophobia is sensitivity or discomfort caused by light.

physio-

nature, function — Example: physiology. Sentence: Physiology is the study of how the body functions.

pneumo-

lung, air — Example: pneumonia. Sentence: Pneumonia is an infection that affects the lungs.

poly-

many, much — Example: polyuria. Sentence: Polyuria means producing an unusually large amount of urine.