2025 HOSA Medical Terminology Study Notes

These study notes encompass a comprehensive list of medical terminology, focusing on prefixes, roots, suffixes, and combining forms essential for understanding the language used in the medical field. The terms are categorized systematically for easy reference.

A

a-, an-
Without; away from; not
ab-, abs-
From; away from; absent
abdomin-, abdomino-
Abdomen
abort-, aborto-
To miscarry
acanth-, acantho-
Thorn; spine
acous-, acoust-, acousto-
Hearing
actin-, actino-
Ray; radiation
ad-
Adherence; increase; toward
adrenal-, adrenalo-
Adrenal glands
aemia
Blood

B

bacteri-, bacterio-
Bacteria
balan-, balano-
Glans penis; glans clitoridis
bar-, baro-
Pressure; weight
basi-, basio-
Base; foundation
bi-, bis-
Two; double
bili-
Bile
bio-
Life
blast-, -blast
Germ; bud; embryonic cell
blephar-, blepharo-
Eyelid
brachi-, brachio-
Arm
brady-
Slow

C

cac-, caci-, caco-
Bad; ill
calc-, calco-
Calcium
carcin-, carcino-
Cancer
cardi-, cardio-
Heart
cat-, cata-, cath-
Down; against; according to
cel-, celo-
Cavity; hernia
-cele
Hernia; swelling; tumor
cent-
Hundred
cephal-, cephalo-
Head
chem-, chemo-
Chemical; drug

D

dec-, deca-
Ten
deci-
Tenth
demi-
Half
dent-, denti-, dento-
Tooth
derm-, derma-, dermato-, dermo-
Skin
deuter-, deutero-, deuto-
Second; secondary
dextro-
Right
di-
Two; double
dia-
Through; across; between
dips-, dipso-
Thirst

E

ec-, ecto-
Outside; out
-ectomy
Excision; surgical removal
ef-, ex-, exo-
Out; away from; completely
embal-, embolo-
Plug; embolus
-emesis
Vomiting

F

fibr-
Fiber; fibrous tissue
fluor-, fluoro-
Fluorescent; luminous
galact-, galacto-
Milk

G

gan-, gamo-
Marriage; union; sexual
gaster-, gastero-, gastr-, gastro-
Stomach
gen-
Producing; origin
-gen, -gene, -genesis, -genic, -genetic
Producing; forming; origin of

H

hem-, hema-, hemato-, hemo-
Blood
hepat-, hepato-
Liver
heter-, hetero-
Other; different
hist-
Tissue
homo-
Same; alike

I

ichthyo-
Fish
idio-
Individual; distinct
in-, im-, il-, ir-
In; within; negative
infra-
Below; beneath
inter-
Between

J

jejunum
Jejunum

K

kary-, karyo-
Nucleus
kerato-
Horny tissue; cornea

L

leuk-, leuko-, leuc-
White
lact-
Milk
laryng-, laryngo-
Larynx
lip-, lipo-
Fat

M

macro-
Large; long
mater-, materno-
Mother
mamm-, mammo-
Breast

N

nasopharyngeal
Nose; throat
necr-, necro-
Death; necrosis
neur-, neuri-, neuro-
Nerve; nervous system

O

odon-, odonto-
Tooth; teeth
-ology
Science of; study of
-oma
Tumor; swelling
oro-
Mouth
orth-, ortho-
Straight; correct; normal; proper order

P

path-, patho-, -path, -pathy
Disease; suffering
ped-, pedi-, pedo-
Foot
platy-
Broad; flat
pneum-, pneuma-, pneumato-, pneumo-, pneumono-
Air; gas; lung; respiration

Q

quadr-, quadri-
Four

R

rhabdo-
Rod; striated
ren-, reno-
Kidney
rhino-
Nose
-rrhage, -rrhagia
Excessive flow or discharge

S

sacro-
Sacrum
salping-, salpingo-
Fallopian tube; auditory tube
schisto-, schizo-
Split; division

T

tachi-
Rapid; fast
thermo-
Heat
toxi-, toxico-, toxo-, -toxic
Toxin; poison
trans-
Across; through; beyond

U

ulti-
Beyond; excessive
uro-, urin-
Urine

V

vag-
Vagina
vaso-
Vessel

W

wry-
Bent

Y

young-
Young/womb or small

Z

zo-
Animal; living being

This guide serves as a solid foundation for mastering medical terminology required in various healthcare settings. Each term describes a specific concept, condition, or aspect related to the medical and biological sciences. Understanding these terms is crucial for effective communication and comprehension in the healthcare environment.