Medical Terminology: Chapter 3 Prefixes

Flashcards covering general prefix definitions, medical terminology prefixes categorized by position, number/measurement, direction, and specific medical word examples found throughout Chapter 3.

Prefix

A word element placed at the beginning of a word that changes the meaning of the word; not contained in all medical terms.

Prefixes of Position

Prefixes used to describe a place or location.

Prefixes of Number and Measurement

Prefixes used to describe an amount, size, or degree of involvement.

Prefixes of Direction

Prefixes that indicate a pathway or route.

inter-

Between

epi-

Above, upon

post-

After, behind

hypo-

Under, below, deficient

retro-

Backward, behind

pre- / pro-

Before, in front of

infra- / sub-

Under, below

quadri-

$$4$$

macro-

Large

micro-

Small

tri-

$$3$$

bi-

$$2$$

primi-

First

hemi- / semi-

$$\frac{1}{2}$$

nulli-

None

di- / dipl- / diplo-

Double

mono- / uni-

$$1$$

multi- / poly-

Many, much

super-

Upper, above

ab-

From, away from

ad-

Toward

supra-

Above; excessive; superior

circum- / peri-

Around

dia- / trans-

Through, across

endo- / intra-

In, within

ecto- / exo- / extra-

Outside, outward

brady-

Slow

tachy-

Rapid

hetero-

Different

pseudo-

False

dys-

Bad, painful, difficult

eu-

Good, normal

mal-

Bad

syn-

Union, together, joined

a- / an-

Without, not

anti- / contra-

Against

homo- / homeo-

Same

quadriplegia

Paralysis of $4$ limbs.

triceps

$3$ heads.

uninuclear / mononuclear

Pertaining to $1$ nucleus.

intercostal

Pertaining to between the ribs.

postnatal

Pertaining to the period after birth.

diplopia

Double vision.

hypodermic

Pertaining to under the skin.

subcutaneous

Pertaining to under the skin.

diarrhea

Flow through.

circumrenal

Pertaining to around the kidney.

extracranial

Pertaining to outside the skull.

bradycardia

Slow heart rate.

anesthesia

Without feeling.

dystocia

Childbirth that is bad, painful, or difficult.

pseudocyesis

Pregnancy that is false.

tachypnea

Breathing that is rapid.

microscope

Instrument for examining small objects.

macrocyte

Cell that is large.

polyphobia

Fear of many things.

endocrine

Secrete within.

paranasal

Pertaining to near, beside, or beyond the nose.

hemiplegia

Paralysis of $\frac{1}{2}$ of the body.

subnasal

Pertaining to under the nose.

bilateral

Pertaining to $2$ sides.

prenatal

Pertaining to the period before birth.

retroversion

Turning backward or behind.