Greek and Latin Roots Vocabulary

A complete list of vocabulary flashcards mapping Greek and Latin roots to their meanings and contextual examples from the lecture notes.

A-

Meaning 'Not'. Examples: Avascular (lacking blood vessels), Atypical (not typical), Asymmetrical (not symmetrical).

Ab-

Meaning 'Away'. Examples: Abduction (bringing a body part away from the midline), Abolish (to take away a system).

Ad-

Meaning 'Towards'. Examples: Adduction (bringing a body part towards the midline).

Adip-

Meaning 'Fat'. Examples: Adipocyte (a fat cell), Adipose tissue (fat).

Anti-

Meaning 'Against'. Examples: Anticoagulants (medicine that prevent coagulation), Antagonist (opposite character), Antagonistic pair (two muscles that do opposite actions).

Arthr-

Meaning 'Joint'. Examples: Arthritis (inflammation of joints), Articular cartilage (cartilage at ends of bones), Synarthrosis (joint with extremely limited movement).

Auto-

Meaning 'Self'. Examples: Autoimmune disease (immune system attacks body itself), Autobiography (book about yourself).

Axill-

Meaning 'Armpit'. Examples: Axillary temperature (body temperature gathered from the armpit).

Bi-

Meaning 'Two'. Examples: Bicycle (2 wheels), Biannual (2 times per year), Biceps brachii (arm muscle with 2 origins).

Cardi-

Meaning 'Heart'. Examples: Cardiovascular system (includes heart and blood vessels), Cardiac arrest (abrupt stopping of heart function).

Cepha-

Meaning 'Head'. Examples: Cephalization (having a clearly defined head), Encephalitis (swelling of the brain).

Cerebr-

Meaning 'Brain'. Examples: Cerebrum (primary part of the brain), Cerebral palsy (difficulty moving due to brain damage).

Chond-

Meaning 'Cartilage'. Examples: Chondrocyte (cells made of cartilage), Chondroitin sulfate (part of cartilage allowing resistance to compression).

-Cide

Meaning 'Kill'. Examples: Pesticide (substance to control or kill pests), Spermacide (product designed to kill sperm).

Circum-

Meaning 'Around a circle'. Examples: Circumference (around the outside of a circle), Circumcision (cutting off foreskin in a circular cut).

-Cyte

Meaning 'Cell'. Examples: Osteocyte (bone cell), Chondrocyte (cartilage cell), Leukocyte (white blood cell), Myocyte (muscle cell).

Derm-

Meaning 'Skin'. Examples: Dermatology (study of skin), Epidermis (top layer of skin), Hypodermis (lower layer of skin).

Digit-

Meaning 'Finger'. Examples: Extensor carpi digitorum (muscle that helps move fingers).

Dys-

Meaning 'Difficulty'. Examples: Dysphagia (difficulty swallowing), Hip dysplasia (femur located in a difficult place), Erectile dysfunction (difficulty attaining/maintaining erection).

Ecto- or Exo-

Meaning 'Outside'. Examples: Ectoderm (outer layer of blastocyst cells), Exoskeleton (skeleton outside the body).

-Ectomy

Meaning 'Removal'. Examples: Tonsillectomy (removal of tonsils), Vasectomy (removal of vas deferens), Mastectomy (removal of breast tissue).

Endo-

Meaning 'Inside'. Examples: Endoderm (inner cell layer in blastocyst), Endoskeleton (skeleton inside the body).

Entero-

Meaning 'Intestines'. Examples: Gastroenterology (study of stomach and intestines), Enteral feeding (putting food into intestines via feeding tube).

Erythr-

Meaning 'Red'. Examples: Erythrocyte (red blood cell), Erythropoiesis (production of red blood cells).

Foramen

Meaning 'Hole'. Examples: Foramen magnum (hole in base of occipital bone), Incisive foramen (hole in maxillae behind front teeth).

Gastro-

Meaning 'Stomach'. Examples: Gastroenterology (study of stomach and intestines), Gastric bypass surgery (stapling stomach for weight loss), Gastrostomy tube (feeding tube through abdominal wall).

Gen-

Meaning 'Produce'. Examples: Generator (machine producing electricity), Osteoprogenitor cells (cells producing other bone cells), Pathogen (virus, bacteria, or parasite producing disease).

Gloss-

Meaning 'Tongue'. Examples: Hyoglossus (muscle connected to hyoid bone and tongue), Styloglossus (muscle connected to styloid process and tongue).

-Graph

Meaning 'Recording'. Examples: Electrocardiograph (recording of heart electricity), Electroencephalograph (recording of brain electricity).

Hema-

Meaning 'Blood'. Examples: Hematoma (bruise/blood buildup), Hematology (study of blood), Hemophilia (struggle to clot blood).

Hepa-

Meaning 'Liver'. Examples: Hepatic portal vein (vessel between intestines and liver), Hepatitis (liver inflammation due to a virus).

Hyper-

Meaning 'Extreme'. Examples: Hyperactive (extremely active), Hypertrophy (extreme muscle nourishment/growth).

Hypo-

Meaning 'Low'. Examples: Hypothermia (low body temperature), Hypoglycemia (chronically low blood sugar).

Infra-

Meaning 'Below'. Examples: Infraorbital foramen (hole in maxillae below eye), Inferior vena cava (major vein below heart).

Inter-

Meaning 'Between'. Examples: Intervertebral discs (discs of cartilage between vertebrae), Interstitial fluid (fluid layer between cells).

-Itis

Meaning 'Swelling of'. Examples: Pericarditis (swelling of pericardial fluid), Arthritis (swelling of joints), Gastroenteritis (swelling of stomach/intestines).

Labi-

Meaning 'Lip'. Examples: Levator labii superior (muscle above lip), Depressor labii inferior (muscle below lip), Labia (lips of skin surrounding vagina).

Lacrim-

Meaning 'Tear'. Examples: Lacrimal fossa (duct through which tears pass), Hyperlacrima (overproduction of tears), Hypolacrima (underproduction of tears).

Lact-

Meaning 'Milk'. Examples: Lactate (produce breastmilk), Lactose intolerance (intolerance to milk).

Leuk- or Alb-

Meaning 'White'. Examples: Leukocyte (white blood cell), Leukemia (blood cancer involving white blood cells), Albinism (lacking melanin pigment).

Macro-

Meaning 'Large'. Examples: Macroglossia (having a large tongue), Macrognathia (having a large jaw).

Megalo-

Meaning 'Enlargement'. Examples: Megalosplenia (enlargement of spleen), Megalocardia (enlargement of heart).

Mela-

Meaning 'Black'. Examples: Melanocyte (skin cells creating black pigment), Melanin (black pigment), Melancholy (feeling dark or gloomy).

Meta-

Meaning 'Beyond'. Examples: Metacarpal (bones beyond carpals), Metastatic cancer (cancer spread beyond original site).

Micro-

Meaning 'Small'. Examples: Microgastria (abnormally small stomach), Micrognathia (abnormally small jaw).

Myo-

Meaning 'Muscle'. Examples: Myology (study of muscle tissue), Myocyte (muscle cell).

Nas-

Meaning 'Nose'. Examples: Nasal (relating to the nose), Nasogastric tube (feeding tube from nose to stomach).

Necr-

Meaning 'Death'. Examples: Necropsy (examination of body after death), Necrosis (death of body tissue), Necrology (study of death).

Neur-

Meaning 'Nerve'. Examples: Neurology (study of nervous system), Neuroma (tumor on nervous system), Neuron (nerve cell).

Ocul-

Meaning 'Eye'. Examples: Oculus (virtual reality goggles program), Orbicularis oculi (sphincter muscle shutting the eye).

-Ology

Meaning 'The study of'. Examples: Biology (study of life), Microbiology (study of microscopic life), Cardiology (study of heart), Nephrology (study of kidneys).

-Oma

Meaning 'Tumor'. Examples: Melanoma (skin cancer form), Sarcoma (cancer in bone/muscle/fat), Teratoma (tumor made of teeth, hair, muscle, or bone).

Oo-/Ovi-

Meaning 'Egg'. Examples: Oogenesis (egg production in ovaries), Oocyte (cell developing into egg), Ovary (organ producing eggs).

-Opsy

Meaning 'Examination of'. Examples: Biopsy (examination of living tissue), Autopsy (examination of dead body).

Or(o)-

Meaning 'Mouth'. Examples: Oral exam (speaking test), Orbicularis oris (sphincter muscle helping to pucker), Oral (pertaining to mouth).

-Osis

Meaning 'Disease'. Examples: Harlequin ichthyosis (excess collagen disease), Osteoporosis (porous bones from lack of calcium).

Oste-/Os-

Meaning 'Bone'. Examples: Osteoporosis (porous bones), Ossification (bone production from cartilage), Osteocyte (bone cell).

Papill-

Meaning 'Nipple'. Examples: Papilla (small nipple-like projection), Human papilloma virus (virus causing nipple-like sores).

-Paresis

Meaning 'Slight paralysis'. Examples: Gastroparesis (slight stomach paralysis), Vocal cord paresis (slight vocal cord paralysis).

Path-

Meaning 'Disease'. Examples: Pathogen (disease producer), Speech pathology (study of speech diseases), Pathologist (scientist studying disease causes/effects).

Pector-

Meaning 'Chest'. Examples: Pectoralis major (large chest muscle).

Peri-

Meaning 'Around'. Examples: Perimeter (line around a shape), Periosteum (membrane around outside of bone), Perimysium (membrane around muscle fascicle).

-Phage-

Meaning 'Eat'. Examples: Esophagus (muscular food tube), Dysphagia (inability to eat properly), Phagocytosis (white blood cell eating pathogens).

-Phile

Meaning 'Lover'. Examples: Halophile (organism loving salty conditions), Hemophilia (condition where blood does not clot properly).

-Pod-/-Ped-

Meaning 'Foot'. Examples: Podiatrist (foot doctor), Pedicure (foot care treatment).

-Poeisis

Meaning 'Production of'. Examples: Hematopoeisis (production of blood), Erythropoeisis (production of red blood cells).

Post-

Meaning 'After'. Examples: Posterior (behind), Postlude (end song), Postwar (era after a war).

Pre-

Meaning 'Before'. Examples: Premature birth (birth before fetal maturity), Preamble (statement before Constitution).

Psych-

Meaning 'Mind'. Examples: Psychology (study of mind), Psychosis (mind condition separating from reality).

Ptery-

Meaning 'Wing'. Examples: Pterydactyl (winged reptile), Lateral pterygoid (wing-shaped jaw muscle).

Pulmon-

Meaning 'Lung'. Examples: Pulmonary embolism (blood clot blocking lung blood flow), Pulmonary circuit (pathway between heart and lungs), COPD, Pulmonologist.

Pyr-

Meaning 'Fire'. Examples: Pyrogens (fever-causing chemicals), Pyromaniac (person obsessed with fire).

Quad-

Meaning 'Four'. Examples: Quadrilateral (4-sided shape), Quadriplegic (paralysis of all 4 limbs).

Re-

Meaning 'Backwards'. Examples: Reverse (move backwards), Retract (pull body part backwards).

Rect-

Meaning 'Straight'. Examples: Rectus abdominis (abdominal muscle with straight fibers), Erect (rigidly upright or straight).

Ren-

Meaning 'Kidney'. Examples: Renal artery and vein (supply/remove blood from kidneys), Renal cancer (kidney cancer).

-Scler

Meaning 'Hardening'. Examples: Multiple sclerosis (hardening of nerve cells), Scleroderma (skin hardening), Artherosclerosis (artery hardening).

Scoli-

Meaning 'Twisting'. Examples: Scoliosis (improper twisting of the spine).

-Scopy

Meaning 'Using a camera to view'. Examples: Endoscopy (viewing esophagus and stomach), Colonscopy (viewing colon).

Sep-

Meaning 'Wall'. Examples: Septum (wall separating heart sides), Nasal septum (wall separating nostrils).

Semi-

Meaning 'Partially'. Examples: Semiconsicous (partially conscious), Semiformal dance (partly formal dance), Semiautomatic (partially automatic).

-Stalsis

Meaning 'Contraction'. Examples: Peristalsis (slow smooth muscle contraction), Retrostalsis (backwards intestine contraction).

-Stomy

Meaning 'Medically created hole'. Examples: Gastrostomy (artificial hole to stomach), Colostomy (artificial hole to colon).

Strat-

Meaning 'Layers'. Examples: Stratosphere (layered atmosphere), Stratified squamous epithelium (flat cell tissue in layers).

Sub-

Meaning 'Below'. Examples: Subcutaneous (below skin), Subway (transportation below ground), Subterranean (existing below ground).

Super-/Supra-

Meaning 'Above'. Examples: Superior (above something else), Supervisor (overseer above you), Supraorbital ridge (ridge above eye socket).

Therm-

Meaning 'Heat'. Examples: Thermometer (heat measuring device), Hyperthermia (excessive body heat), Hypothermia (too little body heat).

Thromb-

Meaning 'Blood clot'. Examples: Thrombocyte (blood clotting cell/platelet), Thrombus (blood clot).

Trans-

Meaning 'Across'. Examples: Transcontinental flight (flight across country), Transverse fracture (fracture straight across bone).

Tri-

Meaning 'Three'. Examples: Tricycle (3-wheeled bicycle), Triceps brachii (arm muscle with 3 origins).

Trich-

Meaning 'Hair'. Examples: Hypertrichia (excessive hair amount), Trichotillomania (urge to pull out hair).

-Trophy

Meaning 'Nourish'. Examples: Hypertrophy (excessive muscle nourishment/growth), Heterotroph (organism obtaining nourishment elsewhere).

Vas-

Meaning 'Tube'. Examples: Vas deferens (sperm bringing tubes), Cardiovascular system (includes blood vessel tubes).