Root Words

A-

Not/without

Ex:

Avascular (lacking blood vessels)

Atypical (not typical)

Asymmetrical (not symmetrical)

Ab-

Away

Ex:

Abduction (bringing a body part such as the leg or arm away from the midline)

Abolish (to take away a system)

Ad-

Towards

Ex:

Adduction (bring a body part such as the leg or arm towards the midline)

Adip-

Fat

Ex:

Adipocyte (a fat cell)

Adipose Tissue (fat)

Anti-

Against

Ex:

Anticoagulants (medicine that prevent coagulation)

Antagonist (a character in a book or movie who does the opposite of the main character)

Antagonistic Pair (two muscles that do the opposite action of each other)

Arthr-

Joint

Ex:

Arthritis (inflammation of joints)

Articular Cartilage (Cartilage at the ends of bones designed to protect bones)

Synarthrosis (a joint that has extremely limited movement)

Auto-

Self

Ex:

Autoimmune Diseases (a disease in which the immune system attacks the body itself)

Autobiography (a book about yourself)

Axill-

Armpit

Ex:

Axillary Temperature (body temperature gathered from the armpit)

Bi-

Two

Ex:

Bicycle (a mode of transportation with 2 wheels)

Biannual (an event that occurs 2 times per year)

Biceps Brachii (A muscle on the arm that has 2 origins - places of attachment that do not move)

Cardi-

Heart

Ex:

Cardiovascular System (the system that includes the heart and blood vessels)

Cardiac Arrest (when the heart abruptly stops working)

Cepha-

Head

Ex:

Cephalization (having a clearly defined head)

Encephalitis (swelling of the brain)

Cerebr-

Brain

Ex:

Cerebrum (the primary part of the brain)

Cerebral Palsy (difficulty with moving due to brain damage before or during birth)

Chond-

Cartilage

Ex:

Chondrocyte (cells made of cartilage)

Chondroitin Sulfate (an important part of Cartilage that allows it to resist compression)

-Cide

Kill

Ex:

Pesticide (substance designed to control or kill pests)

Spermicide (a product designed to kill sperm to prevent fertilization)