Med Term Vocab (prefix and Suffix)

A prefix is an element added to the beginning of a root or combining form to further expand the meaning of a medical term. Prefixes typically indicate time, number, size, or location. Prefixes never require a combining vowel and not every term requires a prefix. Suffixes change the meaning of the word. It is a group of letters attached to the end of a root or combining form. If a suffix begins with a consonant, it must follow a combining vowel. But if the suffix begins with a vowel, then no combining vowel is needed. A few medical terms can have two suffixes. Suffixes that are different can have the same meaning. Suffixes can also give clues to the meanings of words

pre-

before

post-

after

peri-

around

uni-

one

bi-

two

epi-

above

hypo-

below

hyper-

above

micro-

small

macro-

large

-ary

pertaining to

-ia

condition of

-ation

process of

-scopy

scope

-ic

pertaining to

-ion

action or condition

-um

structure

-pathy

disease

-emia

blood condition

-emic

pertaining to blood condition

AMI

acute myocardial infarction

CXR

Chest X-Ray

EKG

electrocardiogram

IV

intravenous