MEDICAL PREFIX AND SUFFIX Flashcards
Medical Prefix
A prefix is placed at
the beginning of a
word to modify or
change its meaning
A or an
(“an” before vowel) Without, lack of Apathy
(lack of feeling); apnea (without breath); aphasia
(without speech); anemia (lack of blood)
Ambi
Both. Ambidextrous (ability to use hands
equally); ambilaterally (both sides).
Ante
Before, forward Antecubital (before elbow);
anteflexion (forward bending)
Anti
Against, opposed to, reversed antisepsis (against
infection).
Bi
Twice, double. Biarticulate (double joint).
Circum
Around, about. Circumflex (winding about);
circumference (surrounding); circumarticular (around
joint).
Contra
Against, opposite. Contralateral (opposite side);
contraception (prevention of conception);
contraindicated (not indicated)
Dys
Bad, difficult, disordered Dyspepsia
(bad digestion); dyspnea (difficult
breathing); dystopia (disordered position).
Ecto
On outer side, situated on Ectoderm
(outer skin); ectoretina (outer layer of
retina).
Endo
Within Endocardium (within heart); endometrium (within uterus).
Exo
Outside, on outer side, outer layer. Exogenous (produce outside); exocolitis (inflammation of outer coat of colon).
Hyper
Over, above, excessive. Hyperemia (excessive blood); hypertrophy (overgrowth); hyperplasia (excessive formation).
Hypo
Under, below, deficient. Hypotension (low blood pressure); hypothyroidism (deficiency or underfunction of thyroid).
Intra
Within. Intracerebral (within cerebrum); intraocular (within eyes); intraventricular (within ventricles ).
Para
Beside, beyond,near to Paracardiac (beside the heart); paraurethral (near the urethra).
Peri
Around Periosteum (around bone); periatrial. (around atrium); peribronchial (around bronchus).
Post
After, behind. Postoperative (after operation);
postpartum (after childbirth); postocular (behind eye).
Pre
Before, in front of. Premaxillary (in front of maxilla);
preoral (in front of mouth).
Retro
Backward, located behind. Retrocervical (located
behind cervix); retrograde (going backward); retrolingual. (behind tongue).
Trans
Across, through, beyond. Transection (cut across);
transduodenal (through duodenum);
transmit (send beyond)
Suffix
The ending part of a word that modifies the meaning of the word.
-algia
pain fibromyalgia, neuralgia
-cardia
of the heart tachycardia, dextrocardia
