Anatomy & Physiology Word Parts: Combining Forms, Prefixes, and Suffixes

Combining Forms and Word Roots

• Anatomy and physiology terms are often compound words built from word roots plus prefixes and/or suffixes. A connecting vowel (usually o) links combining forms (word roots) to make pronounceable terms. Example: leukocyte = leuk- (white) + o (connecting vowel) + cyte (cell) → a white blood cell.

• Learning meanings of these fundamental parts aids memory for long or complex terms.

Common Combining Forms and Word Roots

• Acous-, Acu-: meaning hearing. Example: Acoustics.

• Acr-: extremity. Example: Acromegaly.

• Aden-: gland. Example: Adenoma.

• Alg-, Algia-: pain. Example: Neuralgia.

• Angi-: vessel. Example: Angiocardiography.

• Anthr-: joint. Example: Arthropathy.

• Aut-, Auto-: self. Example: Autolysis.

• Audit-: hearing. Example: Auditory canal.

• Bio-: life, living. Example: Biopsy.

• Blast-: germ, bud. Example: Blastula.

• Blephar-: eyelid. Example: Blepharitis.

• Brachi-: arm. Example: Brachial plexus.

• Bronch-: trachea, windpipe. Example: Bronchoscopy.

• Bucc-: cheek. Example: Buccal.

• Capit-: head. Example: Decapitate.

• Carcin-: cancer. Example: Carcinogenic.

• Cardi-, Cardia-, Cardio-: heart. Example: Cardiogram.

• Cephal-: head. Example: Hydrocephalus.

• Cerebro-: brain. Example: Cerebrospinal fluid.

• Chole-: bile, gall. Example: Cholecystogram.

• Chondr-, Chondro-: cartilage. Example: Chondrocyte.

• Cor-, Coron-: heart. Example: Coronary.

• Cost-: rib. Example: Costal.

• Crani-: skull. Example: Craniotomy.

• Cut-: skin. Example: Subcutaneous.

• Cyst-: sac, bladder. Example: Cystoscope.

• Derma-, Dermato-: skin. Example: Dermatosis.

• Dura-: hard. Example: Dura mater.

• Enter-: intestine. Example: Enteritis.

• Erythr-: red. Example: Erythrocyte.

• Gastr-: stomach. Example: Gastrointestinal.

• Gloss-: tongue. Example: Hypoglossal.

• Glyco-: sugar. Example: Glycogen.

• Gyn-, Gynec-: female, woman. Example: Gynecology.

• Hem-, Hemat-: blood. Example: Hematoma.

• Hepar-, Hepat-: liver. Example: Hepatitis.

• Hist-, Histio-: tissue. Example: Histology.

• Hydr-: water. Example: Dehydration.

• Hyster-: uterus. Example: Hysterectomy.

• Ischi-: hip, hip joint. Example: Ischium.

• Kines-: motion. Example: Kinesiology.

• Labi-: lip. Example: Labial.

• Lacri-: tears. Example: Lacrimal glands.

• Laparo-: loin, flank, abdomen. Example: Laparoscopy.

• Leuko-: white. Example: Leukocyte.

• Lingu-: tongue. Example: Sublingual glands.

• Lip-: fat. Example: Lipid.

• Lumb-: lower back, loin. Example: Lumbar.

• Macul-: spot, blotch. Example: Macula.

• Malign-: bad, harmful. Example: Malignant.

• Mamm-, Mast-: breast. Example: Mammography, Mastitis.

• Meningo-: membrane. Example: Meningitis.

• Myel-: marrow, spinal cord. Example: Myeloblast.

• My-, Myo-: muscle. Example: Myocardium.

• Necro-: corpse, dead. Example: Necrosis.

• Nephro-: kidney. Example: Nephron.

• Neuro-: nerve. Example: Neurotransmitter.

• Ocul-: eye. Example: Binocular.

• Odont-: tooth. Example: Orthodontic.

• Onco-: mass, tumor. Example: Oncology.

• Oo-: egg. Example: Oocyte.

• Opthalm-: eye. Example: Ophthalmology.

• Or-: mouth. Example: Oral.

• Osm-: odor, sense of smell. Example: Anosmia.

• Os-, Osseo-, Osteo-: bone. Example: Osteocyte.

• Ot-: ear. Example: Otitis media.

• Palpebr-: eyelid. Example: Palpebra.

• Patho-: disease. Example: Pathogen.

• Pelv-: basin. Example: Renal pelvis.

• Phag-: to eat. Example: Phagocytosis.

• Phleb-: vein. Example: Phlebitis.

• Phren-: diaphragm. Example: Phrenic.

• Pilo-: hair. Example: Depilatory.

• Pneumo-: lung, air. Example: Pneumothorax.

• Pod-: foot. Example: Podocyte.

• Procto-: anus, rectum. Example: Proctology.

• Pulmon-: lung. Example: Pulmonary.

• Ren-: kidneys. Example: Renal artery.

• Rhin-: nose. Example: Rhinitis.

• Scler-, Sclero-: hard. Example: Atherosclerosis.

• Sep-, Spetic-: toxic condition due to microorganisms. Example: Septicemia.

• Soma-, Somato-: body. Example: Somatotropin.

• Sten-: narrow. Example: Stenosis.

• Stasis-, Stat-: stand still. Example: Homeostasis.

• Tegument-: skin, covering. Example: Integumentary.

• Therm-: heat. Example: Thermogenesis.

• Thromb-: clot, lump. Example: Thrombus.

• Vas-: vessel, duct. Example: Vasoconstriction.

• Zyg-: joined. Example: Zygote.

Prefixes

• A-, An-: without, lack of, deficient. Example: Anesthesia.

• Ab-: away from. Example: Abnormal.

• Ad-, Af-: to, toward. Example: Adduction, Afferent neuron.

• Alb-: white. Example: Albino.

• Alveol-: cavity, socket. Example: Alveolus.

• Andro-: male, masculine. Example: Androgen.

• Ante-: before. Example: Antebrachial vein.

• Anti-: against. Example: Anticoagulant.

• Bas-: base, foundation. Example: Basal ganglia.

• Bi-: two, double. Example: Biceps.

• Brady-: slow. Example: Bradycardia.

• Cata-: down, lower, under. Example: Catabolism.

• Circum-: around. Example: Circumduction.

• Cirrh-: yellow. Example: Cirrhosis of the liver.

• Co-, Con-, Com-: with, together. Example: Congenital.

• Contra-: against, opposite. Example: Contraception.

• Crypt-: hidden, concealed. Example: Cryptorchidism.

• Cyano-: blue. Example: Cyanosis.

• De-: down, from. Example: Deciduous.

• Demi-, hemi-: half. Example: Hemiplegia.

• Di-, Diplo-: two. Example: Diploid.

• Dis-: separation, apart, away from. Example: Dissection.

• Dys-: painful, difficult. Example: Dyspnea.

• E-, Ec-, Ef-: out from, out of. Example: Efferent neuron.

• Ecto-, Exo-: outside. Example: Ectopic pregnancy.

• Em-, En-: in, on. Example: Emmetropia.

• End-, Endo-: within, inside. Example: Endocardium.

• Epi-: upon, on, above. Example: Epidermis.

• Eu-: good, easy, normal. Example: Eupnea.

• Ex-, Exo-: outside, beyond. Example: Exocrine gland.

• Extra-: outside, beyond, in addition to. Example: Extracellular fluid.

• Fore-: before, in front of. Example: Forehead.

• Gen-: originate, produce, form. Example: Genitalia.

• Gingiv-: gum. Example: Gingivitis.

• Hemi-: half. Example: Hemiplegia.

• Heter-, Hetero-: other, different. Example: Heterozygous.

• Homeo-, Homo-: unchanging, the same, steady. Example: Homeostasis.

• Hyper-: over, above, excessive. Example: Hyperglycemia.

• Hypo-: under, beneath, deficient. Example: Hypothalamus.

• In-, Im-: in, inside, not. Example: Incontinent.

• Infra-: beneath. Example: Infraorbital.

• Inter-: among, between. Example: Intercostal.

• Intra-: within, inside. Example: Intracellular fluid.

• Ipsi-: same. Example: Ipsilateral.

• Iso-: equal, like. Example: Isotonic.

• Juxta-: near to. Example: Juxtaglomerular apparatus.

• Later-: side. Example: Lateral.

• Macro-: large, great. Example: Macrophage.

• Mal-: bad, abnormal. Example: Malnutrition.

• Medi-, Meso-: middle. Example: Medial.

• Mega-, Megalo-: great, large. Example: Megakaryocyte (note: source uses "Magakaryocyte" in error; standard form is Megakaryocyte).

• Melan-: black. Example: Melanin.

• Meta-: after, beyond. Example: Metacarpus.

• Micro-: small. Example: Microfilament.

• Mono-: one. Example: Monounsaturated fat.

• Neo-: new. Example: Neonatal.

Page 2 Prefixes (continued)

• Oligo-: small, few. Example: Oliguria.

• Ortho-: straight, normal. Example: Orthopedics.

• Para-: near, beyond, beside. Example: Paranasal sinus.

• Peri-: around. Example: Pericardium.

• Poly-: much, many, too much. Example: Polycythemia.

• Post-: after, beyond. Example: Postnatal.

• Pre-, Pro-: before, in front of. Example: Presynaptic.

• Pseudo-: false. Example: Pseudostratified.

• Retro-: backward, behind. Example: Retroperitoneal.

• Semi-: half. Example: Semicircular canals.

• Sub-: under, beneath, below. Example: Submucosa.

• Super-: above, beyond. Example: Superficial.

• Supra-: above, over. Example: Suprarenal.

• Sym-, Syn-: with, together. Example: Symphysis.

• Tachy-: rapid. Example: Tachycardia.

• Trans-: across, through, beyond. Example: Transudation.

• Tri-: three. Example: Trigone.

Suffixes

• -able: capable of, having ability to. Example: Viable.

• -ac, -al: pertaining to. Example: Cardiac.

• -algia: painful condition. Example: Myalgia.

• -an, -ian: pertaining to. Example: Circadian.

• -ant: having the characteristic of. Example: Malignant.

• -ary: connected with. Example: Ciliary.

• -asis, -asia, -esis, -osis: condition or state of. Example: Hemostasis.

• -asthenia: weakness. Example: Myasthenia.

• -ation: process, action, condition. Example: Inhalation.

• -centesis: puncture, usually for drainage. Example: Amniocentesis.

• -cid, -cide, -cis: cut, kill, destroy. Example: Spermicide.

• -ectomize, -ectomy: excision of, removal of. Example: Thyroidectomy.

• -emia: condition of blood. Example: Anemia.

• -esthesia: sensation, feeling. Example: Anesthesia.

• -fer: carry. Example: Efferent arteriole.

• -gen: agent that produces or originates. Example: Pathogen.

• -genic: producing. Example: Pyogenic.

• -gram: record. Example: Electrocardiogram.

• -graph: instrument for recording. Example: Electroencephalograph.

• -ia: state, condition. Example: Hypermetropia.

• -ician: person associated with. Example: Pediatrician.

• -ics: art of, science of. Example: Optics.

• -ism: condition, state. Example: Rheumatism.

• -itis: inflammation. Example: Neuritis.

• -logy: the study or science of. Example: Physiology.

• -lysis: dissolution, loosening, destruction. Example: Hemolysis.

• -malacia: softening. Example: Osteomalacia.

• -megaly: enlarged. Example: Cardiomegaly.

• -mers, -meres: parts. Example: Polymers.

• -oma: tumor. Example: Fibroma.

• -osis: condition, disease. Example: Necrosis.

• -ostomy: create an opening. Example: Colostomy.

• -otomy: surgical incision. Example: Tracheotomy.

• -pathy: disease. Example: Myopathy.

• -penia: deficiency. Example: Thrombocytopenia.

• -philic: to like, have an affinity for. Example: Hydrophilic.

• -phobe, -phobia: fear of, aversion to. Example: Photophobia.

• -plasia, -plasty: forming, molding. Example: Rhinoplasty.

• -pnea: breath. Example: Apnea.

• -poiesis: making. Example: Hemopoiesis.

• -ptosis: falling, sagging. Example: Blepharoptosis.

• -rrhage: bursting forth, abnormal discharge. Example: Hemorrhage.

• -rrhea: flow, discharge. Example: Diarrhea.

• -scope: instrument for viewing. Example: Bronchoscope.

• -stomy: creation of a mouth or artificial opening. Example: Tracheostomy.

• -tomy: cutting into, incision into. Example: Laparotomy.

• -tripsy: crushing. Example: Lithotripsy.

• -trophy: relating to nutrition or growth. Example: Atrophy.

• -uria: urine. Example: Polyuria.

• Notes:

  • The list above covers the most commonly used combining forms, prefixes, and suffixes in anatomy and physiology.

  • Many terms are built by combining a root with a prefix/suffix (and often a linking vowel). Example: leuk- + o + cyte → leukocyte.

  • The same prefix can have slightly different spellings or variants (e.g., Ad-, Af-, Ab-). Check standard spelling in medical references.

  • Prefixes often convey location, number, direction, or quality (e.g., circumscribed prefix for around, brady- for slow, hyper- for over).

  • Suffixes typically indicate the grammatical category (noun, adjective) or meaning (condition, procedure, disease) of the term.

• Quick reference rules (conceptual):

  • Linking vowel: when two root elements are combined, insert a connecting vowel (commonly o).

  • Prefixes come before the root; suffixes come after the root; combining forms may appear before or after depending on the term.

  • Some roots can combine with multiple suffixes to create related terms (e.g., cardi- with -gram, -ology, -ology variants).

• Example recap (demonstrating how these parts fit together):

  • Leukocyte: ext{leuk-} + o + ext{cyte}
    ightarrow ext{leukocyte} (white blood cell).

  • Cardio- + logy: ext{cardio-} (heart) + ext{logy} (study)
    ightarrow ext{cardiology} (study of the heart).

  • Brady- + cardia: ext{brady-} (slow) + ext{cardia} (heart condition)
    ightarrow ext{bradycardia} (slow heart rate).

• Connections to foundational principles and real-world relevance:

  • Terminology built from roots and affixes mirrors how the body is organized (systems, organs, tissues, cells).

  • Understanding roots like cardio-, neur-, osteo-, hepat- helps students quickly deduce unfamiliar terms encountered in clinical settings.

  • Ethical and practical implications: precise medical language reduces miscommunication in patient care and supports accurate diagnoses and treatment planning.