Common Word Roots, prefixes in EMS, and common suffixes in Medical Terminology

Chapter 5 Medical Terminology

Cardi

heart

Ex: tachycardia, fast heart rate

Hepat

liver

Ex: hepatomegaly, enlargement of the liver

Nephr

Kidney

Ex: nephropathy, disease of the kidney

Neur

nerves

Ex: neurologist, physician who deals with nervous system

Psych

mind

Ex: psychology, study of the mind

Hyper-

over, excessive, high

Ex: hyperventilation, fast ventilations

Hypo-

under, below normal

Ex: hypoperfusion, below-normal blood flow to vital organs

Tachy-

rapid, fast

Ex: tachycardia, fast heart rate

Brady-

slow

Ex: bradypnea, slow breathing

Pre-

before

Ex: prenatal, occuring before birth

Post-

After, behind

Ex: postsurgical, ocurring after surgery

Uni-

one

ex: unilateral, one side

Dipli-

two; double

ex: diplopia, double vision

Null-

none

ex: nullipara, a woman who has never given birth

Primi-

first; primary
ex: primigravida, a woman who is pregnant for the first time

Multi-

more than one; many

ex: multiparous, giving birth to multiple

Bi-

two; twice

ex: bifurcate, to divide into two branches

Tri-

three; thrice

ex: trigeminy, irregular heartbeat of 2 normal beats followed by one premature beat

Quad-

four; four times

ex: quadriplegic, paralysis of all 4 extremities

Tetra-

four; fourfold

ex: tetralogy, a combination of four congenital heart defects.

Quint-

five; five times

ex: quintuplets, five offspring born at one birth.

Sext-

six; six times

ex: sextuplets, six offspring born at one birth.

Sept-

seven; seven times

ex: septuplets, seven offspring born at one birth.

Oct-

eight; eight times

ex: octigravida, pregnant for the 8th time.

Nona-

nine; nine times

ex: nonan, occuring on the 9th day

Deca-

Ten; ten times
ex: decagram, a unit of mass equal to ten grams.

Semi-

half; partially
ex: semiconscious, partially conscious

Hemi-

half; one side
ex: hemiplegia, paralysis of one side of the body.

Ambi-

both; on both sides ex: ambiguous, open to multiple interpretations

Pan-

all; everywhere
ex: pandemic, affecting all people over a wide area.

-al

pertaining(relate) to

Ex: Syncopal, pertaining to syncope

-algia

Pertaining to pain

Ex: Arthralgia, joint pain

-ectomy

Surgical removal of

Ex: Appendectomy, surgical removal of the appendix

-ic

Pertaining(relate) to

Ex: Diaphoretic, pertaining to diaphoresis

-itis

Inflammation

Ex: epiglottis, inflammation of the epligottis

-logy

cardiology

Ex: the study of the heart

-logist

specialist

Ex: pulmonologist, specialist in diseases of the lung

-megaly

enlargement

Ex: cardiomegaly, enlargement of the heart

-meter

measuring instrument

Ex: sphygmomanometer, instrument to measure blood pressure

-oma

tumor (usually referring to cancer)

Ex: lymphoma, cancer of the lymphatic system

-pathy

disease

Ex: nephropathy, disease of the kidneys