Medical Measurement and Numerical Terms

Poly

many; much (ex. Polydactyl: too many (or more than normal) fingers)

Hyper

above, high, excessive (ex. Hypertension: tension, or pressure on arterial walls is too high; high blood pressure)

Hypo

low, under (Hypovolemia: Below normal or low blood volume)

Oligo

scanty; less than normal (Oligohydramnios: less amniotic fluid (water) than is normal)

Brady

slow (ex. Bradycardia: slow heart (an abnormally slow pulse rate)

Tachy

fast (ex. Tachypnea: fast breathing (an abnormally fast respiratory rate)

Macro

large (ex. Macrosomic: abnormally large body)

Micro

small (ex. Microcephalic: abnormally small head)

Mega

big; enlarged (ex. Hepatomegaly: enlarged liver)

Multi

many, much (ex. Multigenerational: several generations)

Nulli

none; without (ex. Nullisomic: lack of both normal chromosomal pairs)

Primi

first (ex. Primeval: first or earliest age; original)