med term - 03 prefixes

prefixes

• found at beginning of a term

• modifies word root or suffix (can be attached directly!)

• Changing the prefix changes the meaning!

  • hypertrophy = excessive development

  • dystrophy = abnormal development

  • atrophy = lack of development

categories of prefixes

• diseases or abnormal conditions

• directions or body positions

• numbers or quantity measurements

• time

• general prefixes

aphasia

meaning: without

prefix: a-

anoxia

meaning: without

prefix: an-

antibiotic

meaning: against

prefix: anti-

bradycardia

meaning: slow

prefix: brady-

dehydration

meaning: without

prefix: de-

dyspnea

meaning: painful, difficult

prefix: dys-

pachyderma

meaning: thick

prefix: pachy-

tachycardia

meaning: fast

prefix: tachy-

anterorbital

meaning: in front of

prefix: ante-

endoscope

Meaning: within, inner

prefix: endo-

epigastric

meaning: above, upon

prefix: epi-

exophthalmos

meaning: outward

prefix: ex-

extraocular

meaning: outside of

prefix: extra-

hypogastric

meaning: below

prefix: hypo-

infraorbital

meaning: below, under

prefix: infra-

intervertebral

meaning: between

prefix: inter-

intravenous

meaning: inside, within

prefix: intra-

paranasal

meaning: alongside, near

prefix: para-

periodontal

meaning: around, near

prefix: peri-

retroperitoneal

meaning: backward, behind

prefix: retro-

subcutaneous

meaning: beneath, under

prefix: sub-

suprapubic

meaning: above

prefix: supra-

transurethral

meaning: across, through

prefix: trans-

bilateral

meaning: two

prefix: bi-

diplegic

meaning: two

prefix: di-

hemiplegia

meaning: half

prefix: hemi-

hyperemesis

meaning: excessive, more than normal

prefix: hyper-

hypocalcemia

meaning: insufficient, less than normal

prefix: hypo-

microscope

meaning: small

prefix: micro-

monoplegia

meaning: one

prefix: mono-

multigravida

meaning: many

prefix: multi-

nulligravida

meaning: none

prefix: nulli-

pansinusitis

meaning: all

prefix: pan-

polyarteritis

meaning: many

prefix: poly-

primigravida

meaning: first

prefix: primi-

quadriplegia

meaning: four

prefix: quadri-

triplegia

meaning: three

prefix: tri-

ultrasound

meaning: excess

prefix: ultra-

unilateral

meaning: one

prefix: uni-

antepartum

meaning: before

prefix: ante-

neonate

meaning: new

prefix: neo-

postpartum

meaning: after

prefix: post-

premenstrual

meaning: before

prefix: pre-

autograft

meaning: self

prefix: auto-

eupnea

meaning: normal, good

prefix: eu-

heterograft

meaning: different

prefix: hetero-

homograft

meaning: same

prefix: homo-

percutaneous

meaning: through

prefix: per-