PREP-1.Medical.terminology

Medical Terminology Overview

  • Instructor: Francis Geronimo

  • Institution: University of Technology, Sydney (UTS)

  • Course Code: UTS CRICOS PROVIDER CODE: 00099F

Learning Objectives

  • Understand the meaning of prefixes and suffixes in medical terminology.

Prefixes That Indicate Color

  • cyano-: blue

    • Example: cyanosis

  • erythro-: red, redness

    • Example: erythrocyte

  • leuko-: white

    • Example: leukocyte

  • melano-: black

    • Example: melanocyte

  • xanth-: yellow

    • Example: xanthelasma

Prefixes That Indicate Location

  • endo-: within, inner

    • Example: endophthalmitis

  • exo-: outer

    • Example: exophthalmos

  • infra-: below

    • Example: infrascapular

  • sub-: beneath, less than

    • Example: subscapular

  • supra-: above

    • Example: suprascapular

Prefixes That Indicate Speed or Amount

  • tachy-: rapid

    • Example: tachycardia

  • brady-: slow

    • Example: bradycardia

  • oligo-: few, little

    • Example: oligohydramnios

  • pan-: all, entire

    • Example: pancytopenia

  • poly-: multiplicity

    • Example: polyhydramnios

Prefixes That Indicate Structure

  • cyto-: cell

    • Example: cytology

  • myo-: muscle

    • Example: myopathy

  • arterio-: artery

    • Example: arteriopathy

  • arthro-: joint

    • Example: arthroplasty

  • osteo-: bone

    • Example: osteoblast

  • phlebo-: vein

    • Example: phlebotomy

  • somato-: body, bodily

    • Example: somatosensory

  • thoraco-: chest, thorax

    • Example: thoracotomy

Additional Structure-Related Prefixes

  • blepharo-: eyelid

    • Example: blepharoplasty

  • broncho-: bronchus

    • Example: bronchoscopy

  • cardio-: heart

    • Example: cardiomegaly

  • colp-: vagina

    • Example: colposcopy

  • costo-: rib

    • Example: costochondritis

  • cranio-: cranium

    • Example: craniotomy

  • duodeno-: duodenum

    • Example: duodenostomy

  • gastro-: stomach, belly

    • Example: gastroscopy

Blood and Organ-Related Prefixes

  • hemato-: blood

    • Example: hematemesis

  • hepato-: liver

    • Example: hepatocellular

  • hystero-: uterus

    • Example: hysteroscopy

  • laryngo-: larynx

    • Example: laryngomalacia

  • nephr-: kidney

    • Example: nephrectomy

  • neuro-: nerve

    • Example: neurogenic

  • oculo-: eye, ocular

    • Example: oculoplastics

  • ophthalmo-: eye

    • Example: ophthalmoplegia

Additional Body Part-Related Prefixes

  • oro-: mouth

    • Example: oropharynx

  • pneum-: air, lung

    • Example: pneumothorax

  • procto-: anus, rectum

    • Example: proctoscope

  • rhino-: nose

    • Example: rhinoplasty

  • spiro-: air, breathing

    • Example: spirometry

  • thyro-: thyroid gland

    • Example: thyromegaly

Suffixes That Indicate Structure, Procedure, or State

  • -cyte: cell

    • Example: melanocyte

  • -ectomy: excision

    • Example: cystectomy

  • -megaly: enlargement

    • Example: hepatomegaly

  • -pathy: disease

    • Example: tendinopathy

  • -penia: deficiency

    • Example: leukopenia