Other common prefixes and their related descriptions (with examples)

a-, an-

not, without

anucleate cell (a cell without a nucleus), analgesia (without pain)

ankyl-, ancyl-

crooked

ankylosing spondylitis (a type of arthritis that affects the spine)

bi-, di-,

two, double

biceps brachii (muscle in the arm with two heads)

cric-

ring

cricoid cartilage (of the larynx)

di-, dif-, dis-

apart, separation

dilation, dissection

dys-

difficult, abnormal, defective

dysentery (abnormal functioning of the intestines)

eu-

good, true, new,

eupnea (normal breathing)

fasc-

bandage

thoracolumbar fascia

fasci-

bundle

fasciculus cuneatus (bundle of nerves in the spinal cord)

fenestr-

window

fenestrated endothelium

foram-

opening, hole

foramen magnum

hyper-

excessive, above normal

hypertension (above normal pressure in blood vessels)

hypo-

low, below normal

hypotension (below normal pressure in blood vessels)

iso-

equal

isometric (re: muscle contraction = muscle contraction with no change

kyph-

humped

kyphosis (overcurvature in the thoracic spine)

magn-

great

foramen magnus (hole in the occipital bone for the spinal cord)

macro-, meg(a)-, megal(o)-,

large, enlargement

macrophage (large cell), megaloencephaly (abnormally large brain)

meat-

passage

acoustic meatus

micr-

small

microorganism

morph-

shape

morphology

oligo-

few

oligodendrocytes (type of neural cell that form the myelin sheath in the central nervous

system)

parvo-

small

parvocellular (small cells – type of cell in the lateral geniculate nucleus)

poly-

many, multiple

polymyositis (inflammation in many muscles)

pseud-

fake, false

pseudostratified epithelium (not really layered)

quad-

to make square, also four

quadratus lumborum muscle, quadriceps (four headed muscle in the anterior

rect-

straight

rectus femoris muscle

sarco-

flesh-like, muscle

sarcoma (tumor in connective tissue)

scler-

hard

sclera (part of the eye)

semi-

half, partly

semitendinosus (one part of the hamstring muscle group)

steno-

narrow

spinal stenosis (narrowing of the vertebral canal in which the spinal

styl-

pillar, stalk

styloid process

tect-

roof

optic tectum (most superior part of the midbrain)

tel-

far off, distant

telencephalon (embryologic division of the brain)

tetan-

rigid, tense

tetanus (rigidity in muscles)

ter-

round, smooth

teres major muscle

tri-

three

tricuspid valve (located between the right atrium and ventricle of the heart)

trochlea-

pulley

trochlear nerve

tuber-

bump, lump

gluteal tuberosity (located on the femur, attachment site for gluteus maximus)

uni-

one

unilateral (on one side)

vag-

wandering, undecided

vagus nerve

vast-

large area, immense

vastus lateralis muscle