Medical Word Root & Abbreviations

kardia

Greek word meaning heart

cardi/o

Combining form for heart

derm

Greek word meaning skin

derm/o

Combining form for skin

enteron

Greek word meaning small intestines

enter/o

Combining form for small intestines

bucca

Latin word meaning cheek

bucc/o

Combining form for cheek

lumbus

Latin word meaning loin (lower part of the back)

lumb/o

Combining form for loin

mykes

Greek word meaning mushroom, fungus

myc/o

Combining form for mushroom, fungus

vivere

Latin word meaning life

viv/o

Combining form for life

adip/o; lip/o; steat/o

Combining forms for fat

arteri/o

Combining form for artery

arthr/o

Combining form for joint

axill/o

Combining form for armpit

blephar/o

Combining form for eyelid

cephal/o

Combining form for head

cerebr/o; encephal/o

Combining forms for cerebrum, brain

cervic/o

Combining form for neck

cholecyst/o

Combining form for gallbladder

col/o

Combining form for large intestine

cost/o

Combining form for rib

crani/o

Combining form for skull

cyst/o

Combining form for urinary bladder

cyt/o

Combining form for cell

derm/o; dermat/o

Combining forms for skin

esophag/o

Combining form for esophagus

gastr/o

Combining form for stomach

hem/o; hemat/o

Combining forms for blood

hepat/o

Combining form for liver

lapar/o

Combining form for abdominal wall

laryng/o

Combining form for voice box, larynx

myel/o

Combining form for spinal cord

my/o; muscul/o

Combining forms for muscle

nas/o; rhin/o

Combining forms for nose

neur/o

Combining form for nerve

ophthalm/o; ocul/o

Combining forms for eye

or/o; stomat/o

Combining forms for mouth

oste/o

Combining form for bone

ot/o

Combining form for ear

pancreat/o

Combining form for pancreas

pharyng/o

Combining form for throat

pneum/o; pneumon/o

Combining forms for lung

ren/o; nephr/o

Combining forms for kidneys

splen/o

Combining form for spleen

thorac/o

Combining form for chest

thyroid/o

Combining form for thyroid gland

trache/o

Combining form for windpipe, trachea

ven/o; phleb/o

Combining forms for vein

vertebr/o

Combining form for vertebra

cyan/o

Word root meaning blue

erythr/o

Word root meaning red

leuk/o

Word root meaning white

melan/o

Word root meaning black

poli/o

Word root meaning gray

-ac, -al, -ar, -ary, -eal, -ia, -iac, -ic, -ical, -ose, -ous, -tic

Common suffixes meaning "pertaining to"

-algia

Suffix meaning pain or painful condition

-centesis

Suffix meaning surgical puncture to remove fluid

-cide

Suffix meaning to kill or destroy

-cyte

Suffix meaning cell

-ectomy

Suffix meaning surgical removal of

-emia

Suffix meaning blood or blood condition

-gram

Suffix meaning record

-graph

Suffix meaning instrument used to record

-graphy

Suffix meaning process of recording

-ia

Suffix meaning condition, especially abnormal

-ion

Suffix meaning condition

-ism

Suffix meaning condition

-itis

Suffix meaning inflammation of

-logy

Suffix meaning study of

-megaly

Suffix meaning enlargement

-oid

Suffix meaning resembling

-oma

Suffix meaning tumor

-osis

Suffix meaning abnormal condition or disease

-otomy

Suffix meaning surgical incision

-pathy

Suffix meaning disease

-plasty

Suffix meaning surgical or plastic repair

-plegia

Suffix meaning paralysis

-pnea

Suffix meaning breathing or respiration

-rrhaphy

Suffix meaning surgical suturing

-rrhea

Suffix meaning drainage, flow, or discharge

-rrhexis

Suffix meaning rupture

-scope

Suffix meaning instrument used to view

-scopy

Suffix meaning examination using a scope

-sis

Suffix meaning action, process, state, or condition

-stasis

Suffix meaning stoppage or controlling

-stomy

Suffix meaning surgically create an opening