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."