Medical Terminology: Prefixes, Root Words, Suffixes, Plurals, and Abbreviations

A comprehensive vocabulary review of medical terminology word parts including prefixes, roots, suffixes, rules for forming plurals, acronyms, and eponyms.

macro-

Large

micro-

Small

hyper-

Excessive / above

hypo-

Less than / under

semi-

Half / partially

hemi-

Half

ecto- / exo- / extra-

Outside

endo- / intra-

Inside

meso-

Middle

ab-

Away from

ad-

Toward

peri-

Around

circum-

Around / about

a-

Without / lack of

an-

Not / without

anti-

Against

im- / in-

Not / without

brady-

Slow

tachy-

Fast

mal-

Bad / wrongful

psuedo-

False

pan-

All / entire

cardio-

Heart

gastro-

Stomach

hepato-

Liver

dento-

Teeth

gingivo-

Gums

nephro-

Kidneys

entero-

Intestine

colo-

Large intestine

procto-

Anus, rectum

orchido-

Testis

oophoro-

Ovary

hystero- / metro-

Uterus

scalpingo-

Uterine tubes

dermo-

Skin

osteo-

Bone

cysto-

Bladder

rhino-

Nose

phlebo- / veno-

Veins

pneumo- / pulmo-

Lungs

hemo-

Blood

-oid

Resembling

-oma

Tumor

-pathy

Disease

-itis

Inflammation

-megaly

Enlargement

-algia

Pain

-malacia

Softening

-sclerosis

Hardening

-necrosis

Tissue death

-ology

The study of

-ologist

The person who specializes in

-gram

Record / writing

-graph

Instrument

-graphy

Process of recording

-scope

Instrument used for examining

-meter

A measuring instrument

-metry

Process of using a measuring instrument

-desis

Binding together (binding tg)

-cision

To cut

-pexy

Fixing / suturing an organ

-plasty

Process of reconstructive surgery

-centesis

Puncture to remove fluid

-ectomy

To cut out something (to cut out smth)

-stomy

Forming a mouth-like opening

-tome

Instrument used to cut

-tomy

Incision / cut into

-dynia

Pain

-emesis

Vomiting

-emia

Blood

-gen / -genesis

Beginning / origin

-lith

Stone

-iasis

Abnormal condition

-osis

Abnormal

Singular ending in "-a"

Change to "-ae" to form the plural (Ex: Formulae)

Singular ending in "-ax"

Change to "-aces" to form the plural (Ex: Thoraces)

Singular ending in "-is"

Change to "-es" to form the plural (Ex: Dialyses)

Singular ending in "-ix", "-ex", or "-yx"

Change to "-ices" to form the plural (Ex: Cervices)

Singular ending in "-um"

Change to "-a" to form the plural (Ex: Bacteria)

Singular ending in "-us"

Change to "-i" to form the plural (Ex: Fungi)

Singular ending in "-ma"

Change to "-mata" to form the plural

ABG

Arterial Blood Gases

BLS

Basic Life Support

BP

Blood Pressure

UTI

Urinary Tract Infection

TURP

Transurethral Resection of the prostate

CABG

Coronary Artery Bypass Grafting

Eponyms

Terms named after a person or place