Prefixes Involving Position, Time or Direction

Question 1

ab-

Answer 1

Away from (ex. abduct: move a limb away from the body’s midline)

Question 2

ad-

Answer 2

To, toward (ex. adduct: move a limb toward the body’s midline)

Question 3

ect-, ecto-

Answer 3

Outer, outside (ex. ectoderm: outer layer of cells in the embryo)

Question 4

en-, end-, endo-

Answer 4

In, within (ex. endemic: present within a region or group. endocardium: innermost layer of the heart)

Question 5

ex-, exo-

Answer 5

Out of, away from (ex. exhale: to breathe out. exoenzyme: enzyme that functions outside of the cell)

Question 6

infra-

Answer 6

Below, beneath (ex. infrasplenic: below the spleen)

Question 7

inter-

Answer 7

Between (ex. intercostal: between the ribs)

Question 8

intra-

Answer 8

Within (ex. intra-articular: within the cavity of a joint)

Question 9

per-

Answer 9

Through (ex. percutaneous: passage of a substance through unbroken skin)

Question 10

peri-

Answer 10

Around, surrounding (ex. pericarditis: inflammation of the membrane around the heart)

Question 11

post-

Answer 11

After, behind (ex. postmortem: occurring after death)

Question 12

pre-

Answer 12

Before - in time or space (ex. precancerous: lesion that has not yet become cancerous)

Question 13

sub-

Answer 13

Below, beneath (ex. subcutaneous: beneath the skin)

Question 14

super-, supra-

Answer 14

Above (ex. superinfection: a new infection beyond the one that is already present. suprarenal: above the kidney)

Question 15

sym-, syn-

Answer 15

Together, with (ex. symphysis: type of joint where bones come together. ex. synapse: where one nerve cell meets another)

Question 16

trans-

Answer 16

Across, through (ex. transection: cutting across)