Medical Terminology and Abbreviations

Medical Prefixes

Common Prefixes

A, An-: Without; Lacking
- Example: Anemia
Andr / o-: Male
- Example: Androgen
Anti-: Against
- Example: Anticholinergic drugs
Auto-: Self
- Example: Autocrine
Bio-: Life
- Example: Biology
Chem / o-: Chemistry
- Example: Chemotherapy
Contra-: Against
- Example: Contraception
Cyt / o-: Cell
- Example: Cytokine
Dis-: Separation; Taking apart
- Example: Dissection
Dys-: Difficult; Abnormal
- Example: dyspnea
Eu-: Good; Well
- Example: Eupnea
Fibr / o-: Fiber
- Example: Fibrosis
Gluco-, Glyco-: Glucose; Sugar
- Example: Glycogen
Gyn / o-, Gynec-: Female
- Example: Gynecology
Hydr / o-: Water
- Example: Hydrocephalus
Idio-: Self; One’s own
- Example: Idiopathic
Lyso-, Lys-: Break down; Destruction; Dissolving
- Example: Lysosome
Mal-: Bad; Abnormal
- Example: Malignant
Myc / o-: Fungus
- Example: Mycetoma
Necr / o-: Death
- Example: Necrosis
Neo-: New
- Example: Neonate
Oxy-: Sharp; Acute; Oxygen
- Example: Oxytocin
Pan-, Pant / o-: All or everywhere
- Example: Pancytopenia
Pharmaco-: Drug; Medicine
- Example: Pharmacist
Re-: Again; Backward
- Example: Rejuvenation
Somat / o-, Somatico-: Body; Bodily
- Example: Somatic cell

Body Part Prefixes

Acous / o-: Hearing
- Example: Acoustic meatus
Aden / o-: Gland
- Example: Adenoid
Adip / o-: Fat
- Example: Adipocyte
Adren / o-: Gland
- Example: Adrenal cortex
Angi / o-: Blood vessel
- Example: Angioplasty
Arteri / o-: Artery
- Example: Arteriole
Arthr / o-: Joint
- Example: Arthroplasty
Bucc / o-: Cheek
- Example: Buccal cavity
Bronch / i-: Bronchus
- Example: Bronchioles
Burs / o-: Bursa
- Example: Bursa
Carcin / o-: Cancer
- Example: Basal cell carcinoma
Cardi / o-: Heart
- Example: Cardiology
Cephal / o-: Head
- Example: Cephalic flexure
Chol-: Bile
- Example: Cholesterol
Chondri-: Cartilage
- Example: Chondrosarcoma
Coron-: Heart
- Example: Coronary arteries
Cost-: Rib
- Example: Costal cartilage
Crani / o-: Brain
- Example: Cranium
Cutane-: Skin
- Example: Cutaneous
Cyst / o-, Cysti-: Bladder or sac
- Example: Cystoscopy
Derm-, Dermat / o-: Skin
- Example: Dermatologist
Duoden / o-: Duodenum
- Example: Duodenitis
Gastr-: Stomach
- Example: Gastrectomy
Gloss-: Tongue
- Example: Glossectomy
Hem-, Hema-, Hemat-, Hemo-, Hemat / o-: Blood
- Example: Hematopoiesis
Hepat / o-, Hepatico-: Liver
- Example: Hepatic portal system
Hist / o-, Histio-: Tissue
- Example: Histology
Hyster / o-: Uterus
- Example: Hysterectomy
Ileo-: Ileum
- Example: Ileostomy
Ischi / o-: Ischium
- Example: Ischial tuberosity
Kerat / o-: Cornea (eye or skin)
- Example: Keratin
Lacrim / o-: Tear (from your eyes)
- Example: Lacrimal fluid
Lact / o-, Lacti-: Milk
- Example: Lactose
Laryng / o-: Larynx
- Example: Laryngitis
Lingu / o-: Tongue
- Example: Lingual tonsil
Lip / o-: Fat
- Example: Lipolysis
Lymph / o-: Lymph
- Example: Lymphocyte
Mamm-, Mast / o-: Breast
- Example: Mammary glands
Mening / o-: Meninges
- Example: Meningitis
Muscul / o-: Muscle
- Example: Musculoskeletal
My / o-: Muscle
- Example: Myocardium
Myel / o-: Spinal cord or bone marrow
- Example: Myelin
Nephr / o-: Kidney
- Example: Nephron
Neur / i-, Neur / o-: Nerve
- Example: Neuron
Oculo-: Eye
- Example: Oculomotor nerve
Onco-: Tumor; Bulk; Volume
- Example: Oncogene
Onych / o-: Fingernail; Toenail
- Example: Onychodystrophy
Oo-: Egg; Ovary
- Example: Oocyte
Oophor / o-: Ovary
- Example: Oophorectomy
Op-, Opt-: Vision
- Example: Optic nerve
Ophthalm / o-: Eye
- Example: Ophthalmic artery
Orchid / o-, Orchio-: Testis
- Example: Orchidectomy
Orth / o-: Straight; Normal; Correct
- Example: Orthostatic
Osseo-: Bony
- Example: Osseous tissue
Ossi-: Bone
- Example: Ossicles
Ost-, Oste / o-: Bone
- Example: Osteoporosis
Ot / o-: Ear
- Example: Otolaryngologist
Ovar / i-, Ovario-, Ovi-, Ovo-: Ovary
- Example: Ovarian follicle
Phalang-: Phalanx
- Example: Phalanges
Pharyng / o-: Pharynx; Throat
- Example: Pharyngeal tonsil
Phleb / o-: Vein
- Example: Phlebotomist
Phren / i-, Phreno-, Phrenico-: Diaphragm
- Example: Phrenic nerve
Pleur-, Pleur / a-, Pleur / o-: Rib; pleura
- Example: Pleural cavity
Pneum / a-, Pneumat / o-: Air; Lung
- Example: Pneumonia
Proct / o-: Anus; Rectum
- Example: Proctoscopy
Prostat-: Prostate
- Example: Prostatectomy
Pseudo-: False
- Example: Pseudostratified
Psych / o-, Psyche-: Mind
- Example: Psychiatrist
Radio-: Radiation; Radius
- Example: Radioisotopes
Ren / o-: Kidney
- Example: Renal cortex
Retin-: Retina (of the eye)
- Example: Retinitis pigmentosa
Rhin / o-: Nose
- Example: Rhinoscope
Salping / o-: Tube
- Example: Salpingo-oophorectomy
Sarco-: Muscular; Flesh-like
- Example: Sarcomere
Schiz / o-: Split; Cleft
- Example: Schizophrenia
Sclera-, Sclero-: Hardness
- Example: Sclerosis
Sigmoid / o-: Sigmoid colon
- Example: Sigmoidoscopy
Sperma-, Spermo-, Spermato-: Sperm
- Example: Spermatocyte
Splen / o-: Spleen
- Example: Splenomegaly
Sten / o-: Narrowed; Blocked
- Example: Stenosis
Stern-: Sternum
- Example: Sternoclavicular joint
Stom / a-, Stomat / o-: Mouth
- Example: Stomatitis
Thorac / o-, Thoracico-: Chest
- Example: Thoracic cavity
Thromb / o-: Blood clot
- Example: Thrombolytic
Thyr / o-: Thyroid gland
- Example: Thyroiditis
Trache / o-: Trachea
- Example: Trachealis
Tympan / o-: Eardrum
- Example: Tympanic membrane
Ur / o-: Urine
- Example: Urologist
Vagin-: Vagina
- Example: Vaginal
Varic / o-: Duct; Blood vessel
- Example: Varicose veins
Vasculo-: Blood vessel
- Example: Vasculitis
Ven / o-: Vein
- Example: Venae cavae
Vertbr-: Vertebra; Spine
- Example: Vertebral column

Color Prefixes

Chlor / o-: Green
- Example: Chlorophyll
Chrom-, Chromato-: Color
- Example: Chromosome
Cyano-: Blue
- Example: Cyanosis
Erythr / o-: Red
- Example: Erythrocyte
Leuk / o-: White
- Example: Leukocyte
Melan / o-: Black
- Example: Melanin

Physical Property and Shape Prefixes

Cry / o-: Cold
- Example: Cryotherapy
Elect-: Electrical activity
- Example: Electrocardiogram
Kin / o-, Kine-, Kinesi / o-: Movement
- Example: Kinetic energy
Kyphy / o-: Humped
- Example: Kyphosis
Rhabd / o-: Rod-shaped; Striated
- Example: Rhabdomyosarcoma
Phot / o-: Light
- Example: Photoreceptor
Reticul / o-: Net
- Example: Reticulocytes
Scoli / o-: Twisted
- Example: Scoliosis
Therm / o-: Heat
- Example: Thermotherapy

Quantity Prefixes

Bi-: Two
- Example: Biceps
Brady-: Slow
- Example: Bradycardia
Diplo-: Double
- Example: Diploid
Hemi-: Half
- Example: Hemihypertrophy
Hetero-: Other: Different
- Example: Heterogeneous
Homo-: Same
- Example: Homozygous genotype
Hyper-: Above; Beyond; Excessive
- Example: Hypertension
Hypo-: Under; Deficient
- Example: Hypotension
Iso-: Equal; Like
- Example: Isointense
Macro-: Large; Long: Big
- Example: Macrophage
Mic-, Micro-: Small
- Example: Microglia
Mon-, Mono-: One
- Example: Monocyte
Olig / o-: Few; Little
- Example: Oliguria
Poly-: Many; Excessive
- Example: Polyuria
Quadri-: Four
- Example: Quadriceps
Semi-: Half
- Example: Semilunar valves
Tachy-: Fast
- Example: Tachycardia
Tetra-: Four
- Example: Tetralogy of Fallot
Tri-: Three
- Example: Triceps
Uni-: One
- Example: Unicellular

Direction and Position Prefixes

Ab-, Abs-: Away from
- Example: Abductor
Ad-: Towards
- Example: Adductor
Ante-: Before; Forward
- Example: Antenatal
Circum-: Around
- Example: Circumcision
Cycl-: Circle; Cycle
- Example: Cyclic neutropenia
De-: Away from; Ending
- Example: Dehydration
Dia-: Across; Through
- Example: Diagnosis
Ect / o-, Exo-: Outer; Outside
- Example: Exocrine gland
End / o-, Ent-, Enter / o-: Within; Inner
- Example: Endocrine gland
Epi-: Upon; Outside of
- Example: Epidermis
Ex-, Extra-: Beyond
- Example: Expiration
Infra-: Beneath; Below
- Example: Infratemporal fossa
Inter-: Between
- Example: Interstitial fluid
Intra-: Within
- Example: Intracellular fluid
Meso-: Middle
- Example: Mesoderm
Meta-: Beyond; Change
- Example: Metabolism
Para-: Alongside; Abnormal
- Example: Parathyroid glands
Path / o-: Disease
- Example: Pathologist
Peri-: Around
- Example: Pericardium
Post-: Behind; After
- Example: Postpartum
Pre-: Before; In front
- Example: Precancerous
Retro-: Backward; Behind
- Example: Retroperitoneum
Sub-: Under
- Example: Subcutaneous layer
Super-: Above
- Example: Superior
Supra-: Above; Upon
- Example: Supraglottis
Sy-, Syl-, Sym-, Syn-, Sys-: Together
- Example: Syndrome
Trans-: Across; Through
- Example: Transdermal

Medical Suffixes

Common Suffixes

-ac: Pertaining to
- Example: Cardiac
-blast, -blasto, -blastic: Bud; Germ
- Example: Myeloblast
-cyte, -cytic: Cell
- Example: Thrombocyte
-dynia: Pain; Swelling
- Example: Thoracodynia
-eal, -ial: Pertaining to
- Example: Esophageal
-ectasis: Expansion; Dilation
- Example: Atelectasis
-emia: Blood condition
- Example: Anemia
-ia: Condition
- Example: Hemophilia
-iasis: Condition; Formation of
- Example: Psoriasis
-ism: Condition
- Example: Hypothyroidism
-ites, -itis: Inflammation
- Example: Arthritis
-ity: Pertaining to
- Example: Immunity
-ium: Structure or tissue
- Example: Epithelium
-lysis, -lytic: Break down; Destruction; Dissolving
- Example: Osteolytic
-malacia: Softening
- Example: Osteomalacia
-megaly: Enlargement
- Example: Acromegaly
-oid: Resembling
- Example: Arachnoid trabeculae
-oma: Tumor
- Example: Angiosarcoma
-osis: Condition; Usually abnormal
- Example: Endometriosis
-ous: Pertaining to
- Example: Aqueous
-pathy: Disease
- Example: Lymphadenopathy
-penia: Deficiency; Lack of
- Example: Thrombocytopenia
-phagia, -phagy: Eating; Swallowing
- Example: Dysphagia
-phasia: Speech
- Example: Aphasia
-plasia, -plastic: Growth
- Example: Hyperplasia
-plegia: Paralysis
- Example: Hemiplegia
-pnea: Breathing
- Example: Sleep apnea
-poiesis: Production
- Example: Hemopoiesis
-ptosis: Falling; Drooping
- Example: Apoptosis
-rrhage, -rrhagic: Bleeding
- Example: Hemorrhage
-rrhea: Flow or discharge
- Example: Diarrhea
-sclerosis: Hardening
- Example: Arteriosclerosis
-sis: Condition
- Example: Agranulocytosis
-stasis: Level; Unchanging
- Example: Homeostasis
-trophy: Growth
- Example: Hypertrophy
-uria: In the urine
- Example: Anuria

Procedure Suffixes

-centesis: Surgical puncture to remove fluid
- Example: Thoracentesis
-desis: Surgical binding
- Example: Pleurodesis
-ectomy: Cut off; Removal
- Example: Mastectomy
-gram: Record; Picture
- Example: Electrocardiogram
-graph: Instrument used to create a record or picture
- Example: Electrocardiograph
-graphy: To record or take a picture
- Example: Echocardiography
-meter: Device used for measuring
- Example: Sphygmomanometer
-opsy: Visual examination
- Example: Biopsy
-ostomy: Opening
- Example: Colostomy
-otomy: Incision
- Example: Laparotomy
-pexy: Surgical fixation
- Example: Oophoropexy
-plasty: Surgical reconstruction
- Example: Vertebroplasty
-scope: For examining
- Example: Endoscope
-scopy: Examine
- Example: Endoscopy

Medical Abbreviations

Times of Medications

ac: Before meals
pc: After meals
daily: Every day
bid: Two times a day
tid: Three times a day
qid: Four times a day
qh: Every hour
ad lib: As desired
stat: Immediately
q2h: Every 2 hours
q4h: Every 4 hours
q6h: Every 6 hours
prn: As needed
Hs: At bedtime

Example

A patient is receiving 1 mg tid. How many mg will they receive in one day?
Remember: tid = 3X a day
Answer: if they are receiving 1 mg for 3 times a day, that’s 1 mg x 3 = 3 mg per day

Routes of Administration

PO: By mouth
IM: Intramuscularly
PR: Per rectum
SubQ: Subcutaneously
Sl: Sublingual
ID: Intradermal
GT: Gastrostomy tube
IV: Intravenous
IVP: Intravenous push
IVPB: Intravenous piggyback
NG: Nasogastric tube

Drug Preparation

tab, tabs: tablet
cap, caps: capsule
gtt: drop
ECC: enteric coated
CR: controlled release
susp: suspension
el, elix: elixir
sup, supp: suppository
SR: sustained release

Metric

g (gm, Gm): gram
mg: milligram
mcg: microgram
kg (Kg): kilogram
L: liter
mL: milliliter
mEq: milliequivalent

Apothecary and Household

gtt: drop
min, m, mx: minim
tsp: teaspoon
pt: pint
gal: gallon
dr: dram
oz: ounce
T, tbs, tbsp: tablespoon
qt: quart

Common Abbreviations

Abd - Abdomen
A.B.G. - Arterial blood gas
ADL - Activities of daily living
a.c. - Before meals
A&O - Alert & oriented
BP - Blood Pressure
d/c - Discontinue
H&H - Hemoglobin & hematocrit
DNR - Do not resuscitate
DX - Diagnosis
ECG - Electrocardiogram
Fx - Fracture
h.s. - At bedtime
HOB - Head of bed
HOH - Hard of hearing
H&P - History & physical
HR - Heart rate
ICU - Intensive care unit
I&O - Intake & output
IM - Intramuscular
IV - Intravenous
NGT - Nasogastric tube
NPO - Nothing by mouth
CPR - Cardiopulmonary resuscitation
PPE - Personal protective equipment
PO - By mouth
p.r.n. - As needed
ROM - Range of motion
S&S - Signs & symptoms
Stat - Immediately
U/A - Urinalysis
VS - Vital signs
PERRLA - Pupils equal, round, & reactive to light & accommodation
A.A.R.O.M. - Active assistive range of motion
AAC - Augmentative and alternative communication
A.B.G - Arterial blood gas
a.c. - Before meals
A/C - Assist control
ADA Diet - America Diabetes Association Diet
A.D.L. - Activities of daily living
A.Fib. - Atrial fibrillation
AKA - Above-knee amputation or above-the-knee amputation
ALS - Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis
AMA - Against medical advice
A&O - Alert and oriented
A/P - Anterior-posterior
A.R.O.M. - Active range of motion
ASAP - As soon as possible
ASD - Autism spectrum disorder
ASL - American Sign Language
b.i.d. - Twice a day
BKA - Below-knee amputation
B/L - Bilateral
B.L.BS - Bilateral breath sounds
BMR - Basal metabolic rate
BP - Blood pressure
BR - Bed rest
bs - Bowel sounds
BS - Breath sounds
B/S - Bedside
bx - Biopsy
c̅ - With
C - Celsius, centigrade
C1, C2, etc. - First cervical vertebrae, second cervical vertebrae, etc.
CA - Cardiac arrest
CA, ca - Cancer, carcinoma
CABG - Coronary artery bypass graft
CAD - Coronary artery disease
cal - calorie
cath - Catheter
CBC - Complete blood count
cc - Cubic centimeter
CC - Chief complaint
CHF - Congestive heart failure, chronic heart failure
CCU - Coronary care unit
CHI - Closed head injury
cm - Centimeter
CMT - Continuing medication and treatment
CN - Cranial nerve
CNA - Certified nursing assistant
CNS - Central nervous system
c/o - Complains of
COTA - Certified occupational therapy assistant
cont - Continue(d)
COPD - Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease
CP - Cerebral palsy
CPAP - Continuous positive airway pressure
CPR - Cardiopulmonary resuscitation
CRF - Chronic renal failure
CRNP - Certified registered nurse practitioner
CSF - Cerebrospinal fluid
CT - Computerized tomography
CV - Cardiovascular
CVA - Cerebral vascular accident
CXR - Chest X-ray
d - day
d/c - Discontinue
DC - discharge
DM - Diabetes mellitus
DNK - Do not know
DNKA - Did not keep appointment
DNR - Do not resuscitate
DNT - Did not test
DOA - Dead on arrival
DOB - Date of birth
DOE - Dyspnea on exertion
d/t - Due to
Dx - Diagnosis
ECC, EKG - Electrocardiogram
ED - Emergency department
EEG - Electroencephalogram
EENT - Eyes, ears, nose, throat
EMG - Electromyogram
ENT - Ears, nose, throat
ER - Emergency room
ETOH - Ethanol (alcohol)
exam - Examination
ext - External, exterior
F - Fahrenheit
FH - Family history
fib - Fibrillation
fl, fld - Fluid
FOB - Foot of bed
f/u - Follow-up
FWB - Full weight bearing
Fx - fracture
GB - gall bladder
GCS - Glasgow Coma Scale
GE - gastroenterology
GERD - gastroesophageal reflux disease
G/E - gastroenteritis
gen - general
gest. - gestation
G.I. - gastrointestinal
GNA - geriatric nursing assistant
gluc - glucose
GP - general practitioner, general paralysis
GSW - gunshot wound
GTT - Glucose tolerance test
Gt. tr. - Gait training
GYN - Gynecology
H - hour
H/A - headache
HAV - Hepatitis A virus
Hb. - hemoglobin
HB - Heart block
HBP - High blood pressure
h.d. - At bedtime
HEENT - Head, eyes, ears, nose, throat
HEP - Home exercise program
H2O - Water
h/o - History of
HOB - Head of bed
H&P - History and physical
HR - Heart rate
HTN - Hypertension
HVD - Hypertensive vascular disease
Hx - history
Hz - Hertz (cycles/second)
ICCU - Intensive coronary care unit
ICP - Intracranial pressure
ICU - Intensive care unit
imp. - impression
incr. - Increased(ing)
inf. - Infusion, inferior
inspire - Inspiration, inspiratory
int. - internal
I&O - Intake and output
IPPB - Intermittent positive pressure breathing
irreg. - irregular
IV - Intravenous(ly)
J, jt. - Joint
K - Potassium, kidney
L - Left, liver, liter, lower, light, lumbar
L2, L3 - Second lumbar vertebrae, third lumbar vertebrae
lab - laboratory
lac. - Laceration
lat. - lateral
LBW - Low birth rate
L.E. - Lower extremities
liq. - liquid
L.O.C. - Loss of consciousness, level of consciousness, laxative of choice
LOS - Length of stay
LP - Lumbar puncture
LPN - Licensed practical nurse
LUE - Left upper extremity
Lx - Larynx
L&W - Living and well
m, M - Married, male, other, murmur, meter, mass, molar
max. - Maximum, maxillary
MBC - Maximum breathing capacity
MBSS - Modified barium swallow study
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