Prefixes and Suffixes Word Elements

Medical word elements and their meanings

Epi-

Above, upon

Hypo-

Under, below, deficient

Infra-

Under, below, positioned beneath

Bi-

Two, double

Dipl- / Diplo-

Double

Macro-

Large

Mono-

One, single

Nulli-

None

Endo-

In, within

Super-

Upper, above

Supra-

Above, excessive, superior

Hetero-

Different

Homo- / homeo-

Same

Pseudo-

False

Syn-

Union, together, joined

Tachy-

Fast, rapid

-centesis

Surgical puncture

-clasis

To break, surgical fracture

-desis

Binding, fixation (of a bone or joint)

-tomy

Incision

-tripsy

Crushing

-cele

Hernia, swelling

-lith

Stone, calculus

-gnosis

Knowing

-sclerosis

Abnormal condition of hardening

-toxic

Poison

-ac

Pertaining to

-al

Pertaining to

-ar

Pertaining to

-ary

Pertaining to

-eal

Pertaining to

-ic

Pertaining to

-ical

Pertaining to

-ile

Pertaining to

-ior

Pertaining to

-ous

Pertaining to

-tic

Pertaining to

-esis

Condition

-ia

Condition

-ism

Condition

-iatry

Medicine, treatment

-ician

Specialist

-ist

Specialist

-y

Condition, process

-icle

Small

-ole

Small

-ule

Small