Latin and Greek Combining Forms (VIBS 910 - Week 1)

A list of Latin and Greek combining forms, their definitions, and clinical/anatomical examples from the VIBS 910 Fall 2026 course material.

a (an)

without, not (Examples: acephalia, anomaly)

ab

of, off, away from (Examples: abduct, aberrant)

acro

extremity (Examples: acromegaly)

ad

to, toward (Examples: adduct)

adeno

gland (Examples: adenoma)

adip(o)

fat (Examples: adipose)

aer(o)

air or gas (Examples: aerobic)

ala, alaris

wing (Examples: alar notch)

alba

white (Examples: linea alba)

algia

pain (Examples: analgesia, neuralgia)

ambi

both (Examples: ambidextrous)

amphi

both sides (Examples: amphibian)

ana

again, go back (Examples: anatomy, anaplasia)

angi, angio

vessel (Examples: angiogram)

ankon

elbow (Examples: anconeal)

ankylo

bent (Examples: ankyloses, ankle)

annular

ring (Examples: annular)

ansa

handle, loop (Examples: ansa subclavia)

ante

before (Examples: antemortem)

anti

against (Examples: antibiotic)

antron

cave (Examples: pyloric antrum)

aqua

water (Examples: aqueous)

arthro

joint (Examples: arthritis, arthropod)

articulo

jointed (Examples: articular)

ase

enzyme (Examples: amylase)

auro, auriculo

ear, little ear (Examples: auricular mm., auricle)

auto

self (Examples: autograft)

bi

two (Examples: biped, bicycle)

bio

life, live (Examples: biology)

blast

germ, bud (Examples: osteoblast)

blephar(o)

eyelid (Examples: blepharospasm)

brachi

arm (Examples: brachium)

brachy(s)

short (Examples: brachycephalic)

brady

slow (Examples: bradycardia)

brevis

short (Examples: peroneus brevis)