𝜗𝜚 ࣪˖ anatomy & physiology: latin & greek terminology (roots & prefixes)

a set of anatomy and physiology terminology flashcards to learn medical suffixes and prefixes

a-

without (anesthesia = loss of sensation)

adeno-

gland ( adenoma = a tumor of glandular tissue)

aero-

air (aerophagia = swallowing air)

albi-

white (albinism = skin condition where the skin is white)

-algia

pain (neuralgia = pain along the course of the nerve)

an-

without (anemic = without blood)

andro-

male (androgynous = having both masculine and feminine characteristics)

angi-

vessel (angioma = a tumor formed from lymphatic vessels)

ante-

before (antepartum = before childbirth)

anti-

against (antibiotic = an agent that kills/ or goes opposes the growth of bacteria)

ase-

enzyme (amylase = an enzyme that breaks down startch)

athero-

fatty plaque (atherosclerosis = plaque hardening in the arteries)

auto-

self (autoimmunity = the body’s immune system attacks its own tissues and cells by mistake)

bi-

two (bisect = to cut into two)

blasto-

to grow or to build (blastocyst = a GROWING embryo)

brachi-

arm (brachium = upper arm that connects the shoulder to the elbow)

brady-

slow (bradycardia = slow heart rate)

carcino-

cancer (carcinogens = a substance that creates cancer)

cardi-

heart (cardiovascular = the heart and its blood vessels)

cauda-

tail (caudal = pertaining to the tail or hind part of an organism)

cephalo-

head (cephalalgia = pain in the head or a headache)

cervi-

neck (cervicectomy = removal of the cervix)

chondro-

cartilage (chondrocyte = a cartilage cell)

clast-

break (osteoclast = a cell that breaks down bone tissue)

co-

together (coagulation = clotting together)

contra-

against (contraindication = refers to the reason why a specific treatment shouldn’t be used because it could be harmful to the patient)

corpo-

body (corporeal = pertaining to the body or the body of an organ)

costa-

rib (costochondritis = inflammation of the cartilage of the ribs)

cutane-, cuti-

skin (subcutaneous = beneath the skin)

cyto-

cell (cytology = the study of cells)

derma-, dermato-

skin (erythroderma = reddened skin)

dorsi-

back (dorsimesal = situated in the middle of the back)

dys-

bad, painful, difficult (dysphagia = difficulty with swallowing)

ecto-

outside (ectogenesis = the development of an embryo outside of the body)

-ectomy

surgical removal (tonsilectomy = surgical removal of the tonsil)

-emia

blood (hyperglycemia = high blood sugar)

encephalo-

brain (encephalitis = inflammation of the brain)

endo-

within (endocarditis = inflammation in the inner lining of the heart)

epi-

upon, over, on (epidermis = the outer layer of skin)

eryth-, erythro-

red (erythrocyte = red blood cells)

eu-

good, true (euglycemia = normal blood sugar levels)

exo-

outside (exocytosis = contents of the cell are released to the exterior through fusion)

gastro-

relating to stomach (gastroectomy = surgical removal of the stomach)

gen-, genesis-

origin, creation, formation (abiogenesis = life that was created without living organisms)

glia-

glue (microglia = immune cells that reside in the brain to control the microenvironment)

gluco-

glucose, sugar (gluconeogenesis = the body creates new sugar)

glyco-

sugar, sweet (glycemic = blood sugar)

hemi-

half (hemiplegia = paralysis in one half of the body)

hemo-

blood (hemocyte = blood cell)

hetero-

different (heterogenous = having an origin outside of an organism like in transplants)

histo-

tissue (histiocyte = a large cell found in connective tissue)

homeo-

same, constant (the process by which organisms maintain a stable internal environment, such as body temperature or blood sugar levels)

homo-

same (homolateral = on the same side of the body)

hydro-

water (hydrocephalus = excess fluid in the brain)

hyper-

above, excessive (hyperglycemia = high blood sugar levels)

hypo-

below, deficient (hypoglycemia = low blood sugar levels)

infra-

below, beneath (infracostal = beneath the ribs)

inter-

between (intervertebral = situated in between the vertebrae)

intra-

within, inside (intercellular = within the cell)

iso-

equal, same (isocellular = tissues and structures that are composed of cells that are the same size and type)

itis-

inflammation (dermatitis = inflammation off the skin)

juxta-

near, beside (juxtaspinal = located near the spine)

lacto-

milk (lactose = a sugar found in milk)

lamina-

layer, thin plate

latero-

side

leuko-

white

lyso-, lyto-, lysis-

to loosen, dissolve, or break down

macro-

large

medi-

middle

mega-

large, great

meso-

middle

meta-

change, after, beyond

micro-

small

mono-

one, single

morpho-

form, shape

myo-, mysi-

muscle

neo-

new

nephro-

kidney

neuro-

nerve

oo-

egg

oculo-

eye

ology-

the study of

oma-

tumor, swelling

osteo-

bone

oxia-

oxygen

para-

beside, near

patho-

disease

pedi-

foot

peri-

around

phago-

to eat or consume

phasia-

speech

philo-

attraction to

phobo-

fear

physio-

nature, physical function

pneumo-

air, lung

poly-

many, much

pro-

before, forward

pseudo-

false

quadri-

four

recto-

rectum