Medical Terminology – Prefixes, Suffixes, and Combining Forms

Question–and–answer flashcards covering key prefixes, suffixes, and combining forms from the medical terminology lecture notes.

What does the prefix "a-" mean?

Without; not

What does the prefix "peri-" mean?

Around

What does the prefix "super-" mean?

Above

What does the prefix "endo-" mean?

Within; inner

What does the prefix "intra-" mean?

Within

What does the prefix "inter-" mean?

Between

What does the prefix "pro-" mean?

Before; forward

What does the root "norm" mean?

Rule; order; normal

The combining form "gastr/o" refers to which organ?

Stomach

The combining form "onc/o" refers to what?

Tumor

What does the suffix "-logy" mean?

Study of

What does the prefix "hypo-" mean?

Below; under; deficient

What does the prefix "hyper-" mean?

Above; excessive

What does the prefix "ante-" mean?

Before

What does the prefix "para-" mean?

Beside; near; abnormal

What does the prefix "supra-" mean?

Above; over

What does the prefix "pre-" mean?

Before

What does the prefix "anti-" mean?

Against

What does the suffix "-ic" mean?

Pertaining to

What does the suffix "-ion" mean?

Process; condition

Define the word "abduct."

To lead away from the middle

Define the word "adduct."

To lead toward the middle

What does the prefix "per-" mean (as in percutaneous)?

Through

What does the prefix "ex-" or "exo-" mean?

Out; away from

Classify "arthr/o" as prefix, suffix, or combining form.

Combining form

What is the meaning of the suffix "-centesis"?

Surgical puncture

What is the meaning of the suffix "-ectomy"?

Surgical removal

What is the meaning of the suffix "-lysis"?

Destruction; separation

What is the meaning of the suffix "-pexy"?

Surgical fixation

What is the meaning of the suffix "-plasty"?

Surgical repair

What is the meaning of the suffix "-rrhaphy"?

Surgical suturing

What is the meaning of the suffix "-scopy"?

Visual examination

What is the meaning of the suffix "-stomy"?

Surgical opening

What is the meaning of the suffix "-tomy"?

Incision

What is the meaning of the suffix "-tripsy"?

Crushing

What is the combining form for "black"?

Melan/o

What is the combining form for "blue"?

Cyan/o

What is the combining form for "green"?

Chlor/o

What is the combining form for "red"?

Erythr/o

What is the combining form for "yellow"?

Xanth/o

What is the combining form for "white"?

Leuk/o

What is the combining form for "air"?

Aer/o

What is the combining form for "dead (death)"?

Necr/o

What is the combining form for "drugs or medicine"?

Pharmac/o

What is the combining form for "head"?

Cephal/o

What is the combining form for "hidden"?

Crypt/o

What is the combining form meaning "new"?

Ne/o

What is the combining form for "stupor"?

Narc/o

What is the combining form for "thirst"?

Dips/o

What is the combining form for "tissue"?

Hist/o

What is the combining form for "tumor"?

Onc/o

What is the combining form for "voice"?

Phon/o

What is the combining form for "ear"?

Ot/o

What is the combining form for "eye"?

Ophthalm/o

What is the combining form for "eyelid"?

Blephar/o

What is the combining form for "hand"?

Chir/o

What is the combining form for "heart"?

Cardi/o

What is the combining form for "tonsil"?

Tonsill/o

What does the prefix "ab-" mean?

Away from

What does the prefix "diplo-" mean?

Double

What does the prefix "ecto-" mean?

Outside; outer

What does the prefix "en-" mean?

In; into

What does the prefix "in-" (as a position prefix) mean?

Into; in

What does the prefix "milli-" mean?

One thousandth

What does the prefix "sub-" mean?

Under; below

What does the suffix "-cidal" mean?

Capable of destroying

What does the suffix "-sclerosis" mean?

Hardening

What does the suffix "-graph" mean?

Instrument for recording

What does the suffix "-scope" mean?

Instrument used for viewing

What do the suffixes "-kinesia" or "-kinesis" mean?

Movement

What does the suffix "-trophy" mean?

Nutrition; growth

What does the suffix "-plegia" mean?

Paralysis

What does the suffix "-metry" mean?

Process of measuring

What does the suffix "-genesis" mean?

Producing; forming

What does the suffix "-lepsy" mean?

Seizure

What does the suffix "-phasia" mean?

Speech

What does the suffix "-phobia" mean?

Abnormal fear

What does the suffix "-malacia" mean?

Abnormal softening

In the word "abnormal," what does the prefix "ab-" mean?

Away from

In the word "abnormal," what does the root "norm" mean?

Standard; rule

In the word "abnormal," what does the suffix "-al" mean?

Pertaining to

What does the prefix "brady-" mean?

Slow

What does the prefix "dys-" mean?

Difficult; painful; bad

What does the prefix "mal-" mean?

Bad

What does the prefix "dia-" mean?

Through; between; complete

What does the prefix "cata-" mean?

Down

What does the prefix "extra-" mean?

Outside; beyond

What does the prefix "centi-" mean?

One hundredth

What does the prefix "mono-" mean?

One

What does the prefix "deca-" mean?

Ten

What does the prefix "nulli-" mean?

None