Medical Terminology

Introduction and Memorization Strategies

  • The following information is a word parts lecture supplement focusing on medical prefixes.

  • Memorization Recommendation: To facilitate memorization and enhance retention of these medical terms, it is highly suggested that students create flashcards for all of the following word parts.

Prefixes Denoting Negation, Opposition, and Quality

  • a-: This prefix means "not."

  • an-: This prefix means "not."

  • anti-: This prefix means "against."

  • contra-: This prefix means "against."

  • dys-: Characterizes something as "bad."

  • eu-: Characterizes something as "good."

Prefixes Denoting Time, Sequence, and Repetition

  • ante-: Indicates that a condition or action occurs "before."

  • pre-: Indicates that a condition or action occurs "before."

  • pro-: This prefix holds a dual meaning, translating to both "before" or "on behalf of."

  • re-: Denotes that an action or process is occurring "again."

  • post-: Indicates that a condition or action occurs "after."

Prefixes Denoting Velocity and Speed

  • brady-: Used in medical terminology to describe a state that is "slow."

  • tachy-: Used in medical terminology to describe a state that is "fast."

Prefixes Denoting Motion and Directional Orientation

  • ab-: Signifies movement or position "away."

  • ad-: Signifies movement or position "toward."

  • de-: This prefix indicates a direction that is "down" or "away from."

  • dia-: Translates to the concept of movement "through."

  • trans-: Translates to the concept of movement "through."

  • e-: Signifies the direction "out."

  • ec-: Signifies the direction "out."

  • ex-: Signifies the direction "out."

Prefixes Denoting Spatial Positioning and Layering

  • en-: This prefix means "in" or "inside."

  • endo-: This prefix means "in" or "inside."

  • intra-: This prefix means "in" or "inside."

  • ecto-: Translates to the spatial position "outside."

  • extra-: Translates to the spatial position "outside."

  • circum-: Describes a location or movement that is "around."

  • peri-: Describes a location or movement that is "around."

  • epi-: Refers to a position "upon" another structure.

  • sub-: Refers to a position "beneath" another structure.

  • inter-: Describes a position located "between" others.

Prefixes Denoting Quantity, Number, and Scale

  • hyper-: Indicates a level or state that is "over."

  • hypo-: Indicates a level or state that is "under."

  • macro-: Used to describe something that is "large."

  • micro-: Used to describe something that is "small."

  • mono-: A numerical prefix representing "one."

  • uni-: A numerical prefix representing "one."

  • bi-: A numerical prefix representing "two."

  • hemi-: A prefix representing the quantity of "half."

  • semi-: A prefix representing the quantity of "half."

  • oligo-: Denotes the quantity of "few."

  • pan-: Signifies the scope of "all."

  • poly-: Denotes the quantity of "many."

  • multi-: Denotes the quantity of "many."

Prefixes Denoting Association and Togetherness

  • con-: This prefix means "with" or "together."

  • syn-: This prefix means "with" or "together."

  • sym-: This prefix means "with" or "together."