1. A
a-, an- Without; away from; not.
ab-, abs- From; away from; absent.
abdomin-, abdomino- Abdomen.
abort-, aborto- To miscarry.
abs- SEE: ab-.
acanth-, acantho- Thorn; spine.
acous-, acoust-, acousto- Hearing.
acro- Extremity; top; extreme point.
actin-, actino- Ray; some form of radiation.
ad- Adherence; increase; toward.
-ad Toward; in the direction of.
aden-, adeno- Gland.
adip-, adipo- Fat.
adren-, adreno- Adrenal glands.
adrenal-, adrenalo- Adrenal glands.
-aemia Blood.
aer-, aero- Air or gas.
-aesthesia, aesthesio- SEE: -esthesia.
af- Toward.
-agogue An agent that promotes the expulsion of a
specific substance.

2. -agra Sudden severe pain.
-al 1. Relating to, e.g., abdominal, intestinal. 2. In
chemistry, an aldehyde.
albumin-, albumino- Albumin.
-algesia, -algia Suffering; pain.
algi- Pain.
all- SEE: allo-.
allo-, all- Other.
amb-, ambi- Both; on both sides; around; about.
amph-, amphi-, ampho- Both; on both sides; on all
sides; double; around; about.
an- SEE: a-.
ana-, an- Up; against; back.
andro- Man; male; masculine.
angi-, angio- Blood or lymph vessels.
aniso- Unequal; asymmetrical; dissimilar.
ankyl-, ankylo- Crooked; bent; fusion or growing
together of parts.
ante- Before.
antero- Anterior; front; before.
anthropo- Human beings; human life.
ant-, anti- Against.
antr-, antro- Antrum.

3. apo- From; derived from; separated from; opposed.
arch-, arche-, archi- First; principal; beginning; original.
arteri-, arterio- Artery.
arthr-, arthro- Joint.
-ase Enzyme.
-asis, -esis, -iasis, -isis, -sis Condition; pathological
state.
astro- Star; star-shaped.
atelo- Imperfect; incomplete.
ather-, athero- Fatty plaque.
atmo- Steam; vapor.
atreto- Absence of an opening.
aut-, auto- Self.
axio- Axis; the long axis of a tooth.
axo- Axis; axon.
azot-, azoto- Nitrogenous compounds.
B
bacteri-, bacterio- Bacteria; bacterium.
balan-, balano- Glans clitoridis; glans penis.
bar-, baro- Weight; pressure.
basi-, basio- Base; foundation.
bi-, bis- Two; double; twice.
bili- Bile.
bio- Life.
bis- SEE: bi-.

4. blast-, -blast Germ; bud; embryonic state of
development.
blenn-, blenno- Mucus.
blephar-, blepharo- Eyelid.
brachio- Arm.
brachy- Short.
brady- Slow.
brom-, bromo- Bromine.
bronch-, bronchi-, broncho- Airway.
bronchiol-, bronchiolo- Bronchiole.
C
cac-, caci-, caco- Bad; ill.
calc-, calco- Calcium.
calcan-, calcaneo- Calcaneum (heel bone).
carcin-, carcino- Cancer.
cardi-, cardio- Heart.
carpo- Carpus.
cary-, caryo- SEE: kary-.
cat-, cata-, cath-, kat-, kata- Down; downward;
destructive; against; according to.
cath- SEE: cat-.
cel-, celo- 1. Tumor; hernia. 2. Cavity.

5. -cele Tumor; swelling; hernia.
cent- Hundred.
cephal-, cephalo- Head.
cerebell-, cerebello- Cerebellum.
cervic-, cervico- Neck; the neck of an organ.
cheil-, cheilo- SEE: chil-.
chem-, chemo- Chemical; drug.
chil-, chilo- Lip; lips.
chir-, chiro- Hand.
chlor-, chloro- Green.
chol-, chole- Bile; gall.
cholangi-, cholangio- Bile vessel.
cholecyst-, cholecysto- Gallbladder.
choledoch-, choledocho- Bile duct.
chondr-, chondro- Cartilage.
chrom-, chromo- Color.
-cide Causing death.
cine- Movement.
circum- Around.
clavicul-, claviculo- Clavicle.
-cle, -cule Little, e.g., molecule, corpuscle.
cleid-, cleido- Clavicle.
co-, com-, con- Together.
colp-, colpo- SEE: kolp-.

6. contra- Against; opposite.
crani-, cranio- Skull; cranium.
cry-, cryo- Cold.
-cusia,-cusis Hearing.
cyan-, cyano- Blue.
cycl-, cyclo- Circular; cyclical; ciliary body of the eye.
cyst-, cysto-, -cyst Cyst; urinary bladder.
cyt-, cyto-, -cyte Cell.
D
dacry- Tears.
dactyl-, dactylo- Finger; toe.
de- From; down; not.
dec-, deca- Ten.
deci- One tenth.
demi- Half.
dent-, denti-, dento- Teeth.
derm-, derma-, dermato-, dermo- Skin.
deuter-, deutero-, deuto- Second; secondary.
dextro- Right.
di- 1. Double; twice; two. 2. Apart from.
dia- Through; between; asunder.
dipla-, diplo- Double; twin.
dips-, dipso- Thirst.
dis- 1. Double; twice. 2. Negative; apart; absence of.

7. dors-, dorsi-, dorso- Back.
duoden-, duodeno- Duodenum.
-dynia Pain.
dys- Difficult; bad; painful.
E
-eal Pertaining to.
ec-, ecto- Out; on the outside.
-ectomy Excision.
ectro- Congenital absence of a part.
ef-, es-, ex-, exo- Out.
electr-, electro- Electricity.
embol-, embolo- Plug.
-emesis Vomiting.
-emia Blood.
en- In; into.
enantio- Opposite.
end-, endo- Within.
ent-, ento- Within; inside.
enter-, entero- Intestine.
ep-, epi- Upon; over; at; in addition to; after.
episi-, episio- Vulva.
erythr-, erythro- Red.
eschar-, escharo- Scab.
-esis SEE: -asis.

8. esophag-, esophago- Esophagus.
-esthesia Sensation.
etio- Causation.
eu- Well; good; healthy; normal.
eury- Broad.
ex- Out; away from; completely.
exo- Out; outside of; without.
extra- Outside of; in addition; beyond.
F
-facient Causing; making happen.
femor-, femoro- Thigh.
-ferous Producing.
ferri-, ferro- Iron.
fibro- Fibers; fibrous tissues.
fluo- Flow.
fluor-, fluoro- Luminous; fluorescence.
fore- Before; in front of.
-form Form.
-fuge To expel; to drive away; fleeing.
G
galact-, galacto- Milk.
gam-, gamo- Marriage; sexual union.
gaster-, gastero-, gastr-, gastro- Stomach.
gen- Producing; forming.
-gen, -gene, -genesis, -genetic, -genic Producing;

9. forming.
glauc-, glauco- Gray.
genito- Organs of reproduction.
gero- Old age.
giga- Billion.
gingiv-, gingivo- Gums (of the mouth).
-globin Protein.
gloss-, glosso- Tongue.
gluc-, gluco-, glyc-, glyco- Sugar; glycerol or similar
substance.
gnath-, gnatho- Jaw; cheek.
-gog, -gogue Make flow.
gon-, gono- Semen; seed; genitals; offspring.
-gram A tracing; a mark.
-graph Instrument for drawing or recording.
-graphy Writing; record.
-gravida Pregnant.
gyn-, gyne-, gyneco-, gyno- Woman; female.
gyro- Circle; spiral; ring.
H
hem-, hema-, hemato-, hemo- Blood.
hemi- Half.
hepat-, hepato- Liver.
heredo- Heredity.
heter-, hetero- Other; different.

10. hex-, hexa- Six.
histo- Tissue.
hol-, holo- Complete; entire; homogeneous.
homeo- Likeness; resemblance; constant, unchanging
state.
homo- Same; likeness.
hydra-, hydro-, hydr- Water.
hyo- Hyoid bone.
hyp-, hyph-, hypo- Less than; below or under; beneath;
deficient.
hyper- Above; excessive; beyond.
hypno- Sleep; hypnosis.
hyster-, hystero- Uterus.
I
-ia Condition, esp. an abnormal state.
-iasis SEE: asis.
-iatric Medicine; medical profession; physicians.
-ic Pertaining to; relating to.
ichthyo- Fish.
-id Secondary skin eruption distant from primary
infection site.
ideo- Mental images.
idio- Individual; distinct.
ileo- Ileum.

11. ilio- Ilium; flank.
im- SEE: in-. Used before b,m, or p.
immun-, immuno- Immune; immunity.
in- In; inside; within; intensive action; negative.
infra- Below; under; beneath; inferior to; after.
inter- Between; in the midst.
intra-, intro- Within; in; into.
ipsi- Same; self.
irid-, irido- Iris.
ischio- Ischium.
-isis SEE: -asis.
-ism Condition; theory.
iso- Equal.
-ite 1. Of the nature of. 2. In chemistry, a salt of an acid
with the termination -ous .
-itis Inflammation of.
-ize To treat by special method.
J
jejuno- Jejunum.
juxta- Close proximity.
K
kary-, karyo-, cary-, caryo- Nucleus; nut.
kat-, kata- SEE: cat-.

12. kera-, kerato- Horny substance; cornea.
ket-, keto- Ketone bodies (acids and acetones).
kilo- Thousand.
kinesi-, kino-, -kinesis Movement.
klepto- To steal.
kolp-, kolpo-, colp-, colpo- Vagina.
kypho- Humped.
kysth-, kystho- Vagina.
L
lab-, labi- Lip.
lact- Milk.
laparo- Flank; abdominal wall.
laryng-, laryngo- Larynx.
latero- Side.
leio- Smooth.
lepido- Flakes; scales.
-lepsy Seizure.
lepto- Thin; fine; slight; delicate.
leuk-, leuko-, leuc- White; white blood cell.
linguo- Tongue.
lip-, lipo- Fat.
-lite, -lith, lith-, litho- Stone; calculus.
-logia, -logy Science of; study of.
lord-, lordo- Curve; swayback.

13. lumbo- Loins.
lyo- Loosen; dissolve.
-lysis 1. Loosen; dissolve. 2. In medicine, reduction of;
relief from.
M
macr-, macro- Large; long.
mal- Ill; bad; poor.
mamm-, mammo- Breast.
-mania Frenzy; madness.
mast-, masto- Breast.
meat-, meato- Opening; meatus.
med-, medi-, medio- Middle.
medull-, medullo- Soft inner part; medulla.
mega-, megal-, megalo- Large; of great size.
-megalia, -megaly Enlargement of a body part.
meio-, mio- Less; smaller.
melan-, melano- Black.
mening-, meningo- Meninges.
menta-, mento- Mind.
mes-, meso- 1. Middle. 2. In anatomy, the mesentery. 3.
In medicine, secondary; partial.
mesio- Toward the middle.
meta- 1. Change; transformation; next in a series. 2. In
chemistry, the 1,3 position of benzene derivatives.
metacarp-, metacarpo- Metacarpus (bones of the

14. hand).
-meter Measure.
metr-, metra-, metro- Uterus.
micr-, micro- Small.
mio- SEE: meio-.
mon-, mono- Single; one.
muc-, muci-, muco-, myxa-, myxo- Mucus.
multi- Many; much.
musculo-, my-, myo- Muscle.
my-, myo- SEE: musculo-.
myc-, myco- Fungus.
myel-, myelo- Spinal cord; bone marrow.
myring-, myringo- Tympanic membrane, eardrum.
myx-, myxo- SEE: muc-.
N
nano- 1. One billionth. 2. Dwarfism (nanism).
narco- Numbness; stupor.
naso- Nose.
necr-, necro- Death; necrosis.
neo- New; recent.
nephr-, nephra-, nephro- Kidney.
neur-, neuri-, neuro- Nerve; nervous system.

15. nitr-, nitro- Nitrogen.
non- No.
normo- Normal; usual.
noso- Disease.
noto- The back.
nucleo- Nucleus.
nyct-, nycto- Night; darkness.
O
ob- Against.
occipit-, occipito- Occiput.
octa-, octo- Eight.
oculo- Eye.
-ode, -oid Form; shape; resemblance.
odont-, odonto- Tooth; teeth.
-odynia, odyno- Pain.
-oid SEE: -ode.
oleo- Oil.
olig-, oligo- Few; small.
-ology Science of; study of.
-oma Tumor.
omo- Shoulder.
omphal-, omphalo- Navel.
onco- Tumor; swelling; mass.
onych-, onycho- Fingernails; toenails.

16. oo-, ovi-, ovo- Egg; ovum.
oophor-, oophoro-, oophoron- Ovary.
ophthalm-, ophthalmo- Eye.
-opia Vision.
opisth-, opistho- Backward.
-opsy View of.
optico-, opto- Eye; vision.
orchi-, orchid-, orchido- Testicle.
-orexia Appetite.
oro- Mouth.
orth-, ortho- Straight; correct; normal; in proper order.
os- Mouth; bone.
oscheo- Scrotum.
-ose 1. Carbohydrate. 2. Primary alteration of a protein.
-osis Condition; status, process; abnormal increase.
osmo- 1. Odor; smell. 2. Impulse. 3. Osmosis.
oste-, osteo- Bone.
-ostomosis, -ostomy, -stomosis, -stomy A created
mouth or outlet.
ot-, oto- Ear.
-otomy Cutting.
-ous 1. Possessing; full of. 2. Pertaining to.
ovi-, ovo- SEE: oo-.
ox- Oxygen.

17. oxy- 1. Sharp; keen; acute; acid; pungent. 2. Oxygen in
a compound. 3. Hydroxyl group.
P
pach-, pachy- Thick.
-pagus Twins joined at a specific site, e.g., craniopagus.
pali-, palin- Recurrence; repetition.
pan- All; entire.
pant-, panto- All or the whole of something.
papulo- Pimple; papule.
para-, -para 1. Prefix: near; alongside of; departure from
normal. 2. Suffix: Bearing offspring.
patell-, patello- Patella; kneecap.
path-, patho-, -path, -pathic, -pathy Disease; suffering.
ped-, pedi-, pedo- Foot.
pedia- Child.
pedicul-, pediculo- Louse.
-penia Decrease from normal; deficiency.
pent-, penta- Five.
-pepsia Digestion.
per- Throughout; through; utterly; intense.
peri- Around; about.
perineo- Perineum.
peritoneo- Peritoneum.
pero- Deformed.
petro- 1. Stone. 2. The petrous portion of the temporal

18. bone.
-pexy Fixation, usually surgical.
phaco- Lens of the eye.
phag-, phago- Eating; ingestion; devouring.
phalang-, phalango- Phalanges (bones of fingers and
toes).
phall- Penis.
pharmaco- Drug; medicine.
pharyng-, pharyngo- Pharynx.
-phasia Speech.
-phil, -philia, -philic Love for; tendency toward; craving
for.
phlebo- Vein.
-phobia Abnormal fear or aversion.
phono- Sound; voice.
-phoresis Transmission.
-phoria In ophthalmology, a turning with reference to the
visual axis.
photo- Light.
phren-, phreno-, -phrenia 1. Mind. 2. Diaphragm.
-phylaxis Protection.
physico- Physical; natural.
physio- Pertaining to nature.
physo- Air; gas.
phyt-, phyto- Plant; something that grows.

19. pico- One trillionth.
picr-, picro- Bitter.
-piesis Pressure.
pimel-, pimelo- Fat.
plagio- Slanting; oblique.
-plakia Plaque.
-plasia Growth; cellular proliferation.
plasm-, -plasm 1. Prefix: Living substance or tissue. 2.
Suffix: To mold.
-plastic 1. Molded. 2. Restoration of lost or badly
formed features.
platy- Broad.
-plegia Paralysis; stroke.
pleur-, pleuro- Pleura; side; rib.
-ploid Chromosome pairs of a specific number.
plur-, pluri- Several; more.
pneo- Breath; breathing.
pneum-, pneuma-, pneumato- Air; gas; respiration.
pneumo-, pneumono- Air; lung.
pod-, podo- Foot.
poikil-, poikilo- Varied, irregular.
-poiesis, -poietic Production; formation.
polio- Gray matter of the nervous system.
poly- Much; many.
post- After.

20. postero- Posterior; behind; toward the back.
-praxis 1. Act; activity. 2. Practice; use.
pre- Before; in front of.
presby- Old age.
pro- Before; in behalf of.
proct-, procto- Anus; rectum.
proso- Forward, anterior.
prostat-, prostato- Prostate gland.
proto- 1. First. 2. In chemistry, the lowest of a series of
compounds with the same elements.
pseud-, pseudo- False.
psych-, psycho- Mind; mental processes.
psychro- Cold.
-ptosis Prolapse, downward displacement.
pubio-, pubo- Pubic bone or region.
pulmo- Lung.
py-, pyo- Pus.
pycn-, pycno-, pykn-, pykno- Dense; thick; compact;
frequent.
pyelo- Pelvis.
pyg-, pygo- Buttocks.
pykn-, pykno- SEE: pycn-.
pyle- Orifice, esp. of the portal vein.
pyloro- Gatekeeper, i.e., the pylorus.

21. pyreto- Fever.
pyro- Heat; fire.
Q-S
quadr-, quadri- Four.
quinqu- Five.
rachi-, rachio- Spine.
radio- 1. Radiant energy; a radioactive substance. 2. In
chemistry, a radioactive isotope.
re- Back; again.
recto- Straight; rectum.
ren-, reno- Kidney.
reticulo- Reticulum.
retro- Backward; back; behind.
rhabdo- Rod.
rheo-, -(r)rhea Current; stream; to flow; to discharge.
rhino- Nose.
rhizo- Root.
rhodo- Red.
roseo- Rose-colored.
-(r)rhage, -(r)rhagia Rupture; profuse fluid discharge.
-(r)rhaphy A suturing or stitching.
-(r)rhexis Rupture of a specific body part.
sacchar-, saccharo- Sugar.
sacro- Sacrum.
salping-, salpingo- Auditory tube; fallopian tube.

22. sapro- Putrid; rotten.
sarco- Flesh.
scapho- Boat-shaped; scaphoid.
scapulo- Shoulder.
scato- Dung; fecal matter.
schisto- Split; cleft.
schizo- Division.
scirrho- Hard; hard tumor or scirrhus.
sclero- 1. Hard. 2. Relating to the sclera.
-sclerosis Dryness; hardness.
-scope Instrument for viewing or examining (includes
other methods of examination).
-scopy Examination.
scoto- Darkness.
sebo- Fatty substance.
semi- Half.
septi- Seven.
sero- Serum.
sesqui- One and one half.
sial-, sialo- Saliva.
sidero- Iron; steel.
-sis SEE: -asis.
sitio-, sito- Bread; made from grain; food.
skeleto- Skeleton.

23. skia- Shadow.
sodio- Sodium.
somat-, somato- Body.
spectro- Appearance; image; form; spectrum.
sperma-, spermat-, spermato- Sperm; spermatozoa.
spheno- Wedge; sphenoid bone.
sphygmo- Pulse.
spir-, spiro- Breathe.
spleno- Spleen.
spondyl-, spondylo- Vertebra.
spongio- Spongelike.
staphylo- Uvula; bunch of grapes; Staphylococcus.
steato- Fat.
steno- Narrow; short.
sterco- Feces.
stere-, stereo- Three-dimensional.
sterno- Sternum.
stetho- Chest.
stomato- Mouth.
-stomosis, -stomy SEE: -ostomosis.
strepto- Twisted.
sub- Under; beneath; in small quantity; less than
normal.
super- Above; beyond; superior.

24. supra- Above; beyond; on top.
syn-, sym- With; together with; along; beside.
T
tachy- Swift; rapid.
taen-, taeni-, ten-, teni- Tapeworm.
tarso- 1. Flat of the foot. 2. Edge of the eyelid.
tauto- Same.
techno- Art; skill.
tel-, tele- 1. End. 2. Distant.
teleo- Perfect; complete.
temporo- Temples of the head.
ten-, teni- SEE: taen-.
tendo-, teno- Tendon.
ter- Three.
tera- One trillionth.
terato- Severely malformed fetus.
tetra- Four.
thalamo- Chamber; part of the brain where a nerve
originates; thalamus.
thanato- Death.
theco- Sheath; case; receptacle.
thermo- Hot; heat.
thio- Sulfur.
thorac-, thoraci-, thoraco- Chest; chest wall.

25. thrombo- Blood clot; thrombus.
thymo- 1. Thymus. 2. Soul; emotions.
thy-, thyro- Thyroid gland; oblong; shield.
thyroid-, thyroido- Thyroid gland.
toco- Childbirth.
-tome Cutting instrument.
tomo- Section; layer.
-tomy Cutting operation; excision.
ton-, tono- Tension.
top-, topo- Place; locale.
tox-, toxi-, toxico-, toxo-, -toxic Toxin; poison; toxic.
trachelo- Neck.
tracheo- Trachea; windpipe.
trans- Across; over; beyond; through.
traumato- Trauma.
tri- Three.
trich-, trichi-, tricho- Hair.
troph-, tropho-, -trophic Nourishment.
-tropin Stimulation of a target organ by a substance,
esp. a hormone.
tubo- Tube.
tympan-, tympano- Eardrum; tympanum.
typhlo- 1. Cecum. 2. Blindness.
typho- Fever; typhoid.
U-Z

26. ulo- Scar; scarring.
ultra- Beyond; excess.
uni- One.
uretero- Ureter.
urethro- Urethra.
-uria Urine.
urin-, urino-, uro- Urine.
uter-, utero- Uterus.
vagin-, vagino- Vagina.
varic-, varico- Dilated vein.
vaso- Vessel, e.g., blood vessel.
veno- Vein.
ventro-, ventr-, ventri- Abdomen; anterior surface of the
body.
vertebro- Vertebra; vertebrae.
vesico- Bladder; vesicle.
viscero- Viscera.
vitr-, vitro-, vitre-, vitreo- 1. Vitreous body (of the eye).
2. Glassy.
vulvo- 1. Vulva. 2. Covering.
xanth- Yellow.
xeno- Strange; foreign.
xero- Dry.
xiph-, xiphi-, xipho- Xiphoid cartilage.
zoo- Animal; animal life.