Medical Prefix, Suffix, and Roots

Breakdowns of common prefix, suffix, and roots to medical terms

Prefix: a/an

Meaning without, not, lack of.

Ex: Analgesic = without pain

Prefix: bi

Meaning: two, twice, double

Ex: bifocal = two lenses

Prefix: brady

Meaning: slow

Ex: bradycardia = slow pulse/heartbeat

Prefix: dis

Meaning: apart, free from

Ex: disinfected = free from germs/microorganisms

Prefix: dys

Meaning: bad, painful

Ex: dysuria = painful urination

Prefix: hyper

Meaning: too much, high

Ex: hypertension = high blood pressure

Prefix: hypo

Meaning: below, unclear

Ex: hypothermia = low body temperature

Prefix: tachy

Meaning: swift, fast, rapid

Ex: trachycardia = rapid heartbeat

Prefix: endo

Meaning: inside, within

Ex: endocarditis = inflammation of the heart’s inner lining.

Suffix: emesis

Meaning: vomiting

Ex: hyperemesis = excessive vomiting

Suffix: phagia

Meaning: to eat

Ex: dysphagia = difficulty swallowing

Suffix: phasia

Meaning: speaking

Ex: aphasia = absence of speaking (mute)

Suffix: plegia

Meaning: paralysis

Ex: paraglegia = paralysis of lower portion

Suffix: uria

Meaning: condition of the urine

Ex: dysuria = painful urination

Suffix: itis

Meaning: inflammation

Ex: appendicitis = inflammation of the appendix

Suffix: ectomy

Meaning: surgical removal

Ex: appendectomy = removal of the appendix

Suffix: ology

Meaning: the study of something

Ex: psychology = study of the mind

Suffix: emia

Meaning: blood condition

Ex: anemia = lack of healthy red blood cells

Suffix: ostomy

Meaning: surgical opening

Ex: colostomy = opening in the colon

Suffix: algia

Meaning: pain

Ex: arthalgia = joint pain

Suffix: ia

Meaning: condition

Ex: emia = blood condition

Root: brachi (a)

Meaning: arm

Ex: brachial = pertaining to the arm

Root: card/cardi (o)

Meaning: heart

Ex: cardiology = study of the heart

Root: cyan (o)

Meaning: blue

Ex: cyanosis = blue tinge to the skin due to lack of oxygen

Root: pneo/pnea

Meaning: breathing

Ex: tachypnea = rapid breathing

Root: gastr (o)

Meaning: stomach

Ex: gastritis = stomach inflammation

Root: hem (o)

Meaning: blood

Ex: hemorrhage = excessive blood

Root: derma

Meaning: skin

Ex: dermatitis = skin inflammation

Root: therm

Meaning: heat/temperature

Ex: hypothermia = low body temperature

Root: neur (o)

Meaning: nerve/brain

Ex: neurology = study of the nervous system