prefix
PREFIX | MEANING | EXAMPLE OF USE IN MEDICAL TERMS |
|---|---|---|
a-, an | No, not, without, negates the meaning | atypical, anoxia |
ab- | away from; from | abduction |
ad- | toward, at, increase, on, toward | adduction |
ante- | before | antepartum |
anti- | against, opposing | antipsychotic |
bi-,bin- | two, twice, double | bilateral, binocular |
brady- | slow | bradycardia |
de- | from, down, away from | dehydrate |
dia- | through, complete | dialysis |
dys- | painful, abnormal, difficult, laboured | dysphagia |
endo- | within, in | endotracheal |
epi- | on, upon, over | epidermis |
eu- | normal, good | eupnea |
hemi- | half | hemicolectomy |
hyper- | above, excessive | hyperthyroidism |
hypo- | below, incomplete, deficient, under | hypoglycemia |
inter- | between | intercostal |
intra- | within, in | intramuscular |
macro- | large, long | macrocephalus |
meta- | after, beyond, change | metacarpal bones |
micro- | small | microscope |
multi- | many | multipara |
neo- | new | neonate |
nulli- | none | nulligravida |
pachy- | thick, thickening, thickened | pachyderma |
pan- | all, total | pancytopenia |
para- | beside, beyond, around, abnormal | parathyroid glands |
per- | through | percutaneous |
peri- | surrounding (outer) | peripheral vision |
poly- | many, much | polymyositis |
post- | after | postpartum |
pre- | before | prenatal |
pro- | before | prognosis |
sub- | below, under | subcutaneous |
supra- | above | suprascapular |
sym-, syn- | together, joined | symphysis |
tachy- | fast, rapid | tachycardia |
trans- | through, across, beyond | transdermal |
tri- | three | triceps |
uni- | one |