Roots, Suffixes and Prefixes from Textbook Flashcards
(405 cards)
1
Q
a-
A
no, not, without (atom, agranulocyte)
2
Q
ab-
A
away (abducens, abduction)
3
Q
acetabulo-
A
small cup (acetabulum)
4
Q
acro-
A
tip, extremity, peak (acromion, acromegaly)
5
Q
ad-
A
to, toward, near (adsorption, adrenal)
6
Q
adeno-
A
gland (lymphadenitis, adenohypophysis)
7
Q
aero-
A
air, oxygen (aerobic, anaerobic)
8
Q
af-
A
toward (aff erent)
9
Q
ag-
A
together (agglutination)
10
Q
ala-
A
wing (ala nasi)
11
Q
albi-
A
white (albicans, linea alba, albino)
12
Q
algi-
A
pain (analgesic, myalgia)
13
Q
aliment-
A
nourishment (alimentary)
14
Q
allo-
A
other, diff erent (allele, allograft)
15
Q
amphi-
A
both, either (amphiphilic, amphiarthrosis)
16
Q
an-
A
without (anaerobic, anemic)
17
Q
ana-
A
- up, build up (anabolic, anaphylaxis) 2. apart (anaphase, anatomy) 3. back (anastomosis)
18
Q
andro-
A
male (androgen)
19
Q
angi-
A
vessel (angiogram, angioplasty, hemangioma)
20
Q
ante-
A
before, in front (antebrachium)
21
Q
antero-
A
forward (anterior, anterograde)
22
Q
anti-
A
against (antidiuretic, antibody, antagonist)
23
Q
apo-
A
from, off , away, above (apocrine, aponeurosis)
24
Q
arbor-
A
tree (arboreal, arborization)
25
artic-
1. joint (articulation) 2. speech (articulate)
26
-ary
pertaining to (axillary, coronary)
27
-ase
enzyme (polymerase, kinase, amylase)
28
ast-,
astro- star (aster, astrocyte)
29
-ata,
-ate 1. possessing (hamate, corniculate) 2. plural of -a (stomata carcinomata)
30
athero-
fat (atheroma, atherosclerosis)
31
atrio-
entryway (atrium, atrioventricular)
32
auri-
ear (auricle, binaural)
33
auto-
self (autolysis, autoimmune)
34
axi-
axis, straight line (axial, axoneme, axon)
35
baro-
pressure (baroreceptor, hyperbaric)
36
bene-
good, well (benign, beneficial)
37
bi-
two (bipedal, biceps, bifid)
38
bili-
bile (biliary, bilirubin)
39
bio-
life, living (biology, biopsy, microbial)
40
blasto-
precursor, bud, producer (fibroblast, osteoblast, blastomere)
41
brachi-
arm (brachium, brachialis, antebrachium)
42
brady-
slow (bradycardia, bradypnea)
43
bucco-
cheek (buccal, buccinator)
44
burso-
purse (bursa, bursitis)
45
calc-
calcium, stone (calcaneus, hypocalcemia)
46
callo-
thick (callus, callosum)
47
calori-
heat (calorie, calorimetry, calorigenic)
48
calv-,
calvari- bald, skull (calvaria)
49
capito-
head (capitis, capitate, capitulum)
50
capni-
smoke, carbon dioxide (hypocapnia)
51
carcino-
cancer (carcinogen, carcinoma)
52
cardi-
heart (cardiac, cardiology, pericardium)
53
carot-
1. carrot (carotene) 2. stupor (carotid)
54
carpo-
wrist (carpus, metacarpal)
55
case-
cheese (caseosa, casein)
56
cata-
down, break down (catabolism)
57
cauda-
tail (cauda equina, caudate nucleus)
58
-cel
little (pedicel)
59
celi-
belly, abdomen (celiac)
60
centri-
center, middle (centromere, centriole)
61
cephalo-
head (cephalic, encephalitis)
62
cervi-
neck, narrow part (cervix, cervical)
63
chiasm-
cross, X (optic chiasm)
64
choano-
funnel (choana)
65
chole-
bile (cholecystokinin, cholelithotripsy)
66
chondro-
1. grain (mitochondria) 2. cartilage, gristle (chondrocyte, perichondrium)
67
chromo-
color (dichromat, chromatin, cytochrome)
68
chrono-
time (chronotropic, chronic)
69
cili-
eyelash (cilium, superciliary)
70
circ-
about, around (circadian, circumduction)
71
cis-
cut (incision, incisor)
72
cistern,
cisterna reservoir (Golgi cistern, cisterna chyli)
73
clast-
break down, destroy (osteoclast)
74
clavi-
hammer, club, key (clavicle, supraclavicular)
75
-cle
little (tubercle, corpuscle)
76
cleido-
clavicle (sternocleidomastoid)
77
cnemo-
lower leg (gastrocnemius)
78
co-
together (coenzyme, cotransport)
79
collo-
1. hill (colliculus) 2. glue (colloid, collagen)
80
contra-
opposite (contralateral)
81
corni-
horn (cornified, corniculate, cornu)
82
corono-
crown (coronary, corona, coronal)
83
corpo-
body (corpus luteum, corpora quadrigemina)
84
corti-
bark, rind (cortex, cortical)
85
costa-
rib (intercostal, subcostal)
86
coxa-
hip (os coxae, coxal)
87
crani-
helmet (cranium, epicranius)
88
cribri-
sieve, strainer (cribriform, area cribrosa)
89
crino-
separate, secrete (holocrine, endocrinology)
90
crista-
crest (crista galli, mitochondrial crista)
91
crito-
to separate (hematocrit)
92
cruci-
cross (cruciate ligament)
93
-cule,
-culus small (canaliculus, trabecula, auricular)
94
cune-
wedge (cuneiform, cuneatus)
95
cutane-,
cuti- skin (subcutaneous, cuticle)
96
cysto-
bladder (cystitis, cholecystectomy)
97
cyto-
cell (cytology, cytokinesis, monocyte)
98
de-
down (defecate, deglutition, dehydration)
99
demi-
half (demifacet, demilune)
100
den-,
denti- tooth (dentition, dens, dental)
101
dendro-
tree, branch (dendrite, oligodendrocyte)
102
derma-,
dermato- skin (dermatology, hypodermic)
103
desmo-
band, bond, ligament (desmosome, syndesmosis)
104
dia-
1. across, through, separate (diaphragm, dialysis) 2. day (circadian)
105
dis-
1. apart (dissect, dissociate) 2. opposite, absence (disinfect, disability)
106
diure-
pass through, urinate (diuretic, diuresis)
107
dorsi-
back (dorsal, dorsum, latissimus dorsi)
108
duc-
to carry (duct, adduction, abducens)
109
dys-
bad, abnormal, painful (dyspnea, dystrophy)
110
e-
out (ejaculate, eversion)
111
-eal
pertaining to (arboreal, pineal)
112
ec-,
ecto- outside, out of, external (ectopic, ectoderm, splenectomy)
113
ef-
out of (efferent, effusion)
114
-elle
small (fontanelle, organelle, micelle)
115
electro-
electricity (electrocardiogram, electrolyte)
116
em-
in, within (embolism, embedded)
117
emesi-,
emeti- vomiting (emetic, hyperemesis)
118
-emia
blood condition (anemia, hypoxemia)
119
en-
in, into (enzyme, parenchyma)
120
encephalo-
brain (encephalitis, telencephalon)
121
enchymo-
poured in (mesenchyme, parenchyma)
122
endo-
within, into, internal (endocrine, endocytosis)
123
entero-
gut, intestine (mesentery, myenteric)
124
epi-
upon, above (epidermis, epiphysis, epididymis)
125
ergo-
work, energy, action (allergy, adrenergic, synergist)
126
eryth-,
erythro- red (erythema, erythrocyte)
127
esthesio-
sensation, feeling (anesthesia, somesthetic)
128
eu-
good, true, normal, easy (eupnea, aneuploidy)
129
exo-
out (exopeptidase, exocytosis, exocrine)
130
facili-
easy (facilitated)
131
fasci-
band, bundle (fascia, fascicle)
132
fenestr-
window (fenestrated)
133
fer-
to carry (efferent, uriniferous)
134
ferri-
iron (ferritin, transferrin)
135
fibro-
fiber (fibroblast, fibrosis)
136
fili-
thread (myofilament, filiform)
137
flagello-
whip (flagellum)
138
foli-
leaf (folic acid, folia)
139
-form
shape (cuneiform, fusiform)
140
fove-
pit, depression (fovea)
141
funiculo-
little rope, cord (funiculus)
142
fusi-
1. spindle (fusiform) 2. pour out (perfusion)
143
gamo-
marriage, union (monogamy, gamete)
144
gastro-
belly, stomach (gastrointestinal, digastric)
145
-gen,
-genic, -genesis producing, giving rise to (pathogen,
146
carcinogenic,
glycogenesis)
147
genio-
chin (geniohyoid, genioglossus)
148
germi-
1. sprout, bud (germinal, germinativum) 2. microbe (germicide)
149
gero-
old age (progeria, geriatrics, gerontology)
150
gesto-
1. to bear, carry (ingest). 2. pregnancy (gestation, progesterone)
151
glia-
glue (neuroglia, microglia)
152
globu-
ball, sphere (globulin, hemoglobin)
153
glom-
ball (glomerulus)
154
glosso-
tongue (glossopharyngeal, hypoglossal)
155
glyco-
sugar (glycogen, glycolysis, hypoglycemia)
156
gono-
1. angle, corner (trigone) 2. seed, sex cell, generation (gonad, oogonium, gonorrhea)
157
gradi-
walk, step (retrograde, gradient)
158
-gram
recording of (electrocardiogram, sonogram)
159
-graph
recording instrument (sonograph, electrocardiograph)
160
-graphy
recording process (sonography, radiography)
161
gravi-
severe, heavy (gravid, myasthenia gravis)
162
gyro-
turn, twist (gyrus)
163
hallu-
great toe (hallucis)
164
hemato-
blood (hematology, hematopoiesis)
165
hemi-
half (hemidesmosome, hemisphere)
166
-hemia
blood condition (polycythemia)
167
hemo-
blood (hemophilia, hemoglobin)
168
hetero-
different, other, various (heterozygous)
169
histo-
tissue, web (histology, histone)
170
holo-
whole, entire (holistic, holocrine)
171
homeo-
constant, unchanging, uniform (homeostasis, homeothermic)
172
homo-
same, alike (homologous, homozygous)
173
hyalo-
clear, glassy (hyaline, hyaluronic acid)
174
hydro-
water (dehydration, hydrolysis, hydrophobic)
175
hyper-
above, above normal, excessive (hyperkalemia, hypertonic)
176
hypo-
below, below normal, deficient (hypogastric, hyponatremia, hypophysis)
177
-ia
condition (anemia, hypocalcemia, osteomalacia)
178
-ial
pertaining to (synovial, epithelial)
179
-ic
pertaining to (isotonic, hemolytic, antigenic)
180
-icle,
-icul small (ossicle, canaliculus, reticular)
181
ilia-
flank, loin (ilium, iliac)
182
-illa,
-illus little (papilla)
183
-in
protein, substance (trypsin, fibrin, melanin)
184
infra-
below (infraspinous, infrared)
185
ino-
fiber (inotropic, inositol)
186
insulo-
island (insula, insulin)
187
inter-
between (intercellular, intervertebral)
188
intra-
within (intracellular, intraocular)
189
iono-
ion (ionotropic, cationic)
190
ischi-
to hold back (ischium, ischemia)
191
-ism
1. process, state, condition (metabolism, rheumatism)
192
2.
doctrine, belief, theory (holism, reductionism, naturalism)
193
iso-
same, equal (isometric, isotonic, isomer)
194
-issimus
most, greatest (latissimus, longissimus)
195
-ite
little (dendrite, somite)
196
-itis
inflammation (dermatitis, gingivitis)
197
jug-
to join (conjugated, jugular)
198
juxta-
next to (juxtamedullary, juxtaglomerular)
199
kali-
potassium (hypokalemia)
200
karyo-
seed, nucleus (megakaryocyte, karyotype)
201
kerato-
horn (keratin, keratinocyte)
202
kine-
motion, action (kinetic, kinase, cytokinesis)
203
labi-
lip (labium, levator labii)
204
lacera-
torn, cut (foramen lacerum, laceration)
205
lacrimo-
tear, cry (lacrimal gland, nasolacrimal)
206
lacto-
milk (lactose, lactation, prolactin)
207
lamina-
layer (lamina propria, laminar flow)
208
latero-
side (bilateral, ipsilateral)
209
lati-
broad (fascia lata, latissimus dorsi)
210
-lemma
husk (sarcolemma, neurilemma)
211
lenti-
lens (lentiform)
212
-let
small (platelet)
213
leuko-
white (leukocyte, leukemia)
214
levato-
to raise (levator labii, elevation)
215
ligo-
to bind (ligand, ligament)
216
line-
line (linea alba, linea nigra)
217
litho-
stone (otolith, lithotripsy)
218
-logy
study of (histology, physiology, hematology)
219
lucid-
light, clear (stratum lucidum, zona pellucida)
220
lun-
moon, crescent (lunate, lunule, semilunar)
221
lute-
yellow (macula lutea, corpus luteum)
222
lyso-,
lyto- split apart, break down (lysosome, hydrolysis, electrolyte,hemolytic)
223
macro-
large (macromolecule, macrophage)
224
macula-
spot (macula lutea, macula densa)
225
mali-
bad (malignant, malocclusion, malformed)
226
malle-
hammer (malleus, malleolus)
227
mammo-
breast (mammary, mammillary)
228
mano-
hand (manus, manipulate)
229
manubri-
handle (manubrium)
230
masto-
breast (mastoid, gynecomastia)
231
medi-
middle (medial, mediastinum, intermediate)
232
medullo-
marrow, pith (medulla)
233
mega-
large (megakaryocyte, hepatomegaly)
234
melano-
black (melanin, melanocyte, melancholy)
235
meno-
month (menstruation, menopause)
236
mento-
chin (mental, mentalis)
237
mero-
part, segment (isomer, centromere, merocrine)
238
meso-
in the middle (mesoderm, mesentery)
239
meta-
beyond, next in a series (metaphase, metacarpal)
240
metabol-
change (metabolism, metabolite)
241
-meter
measuring device (calorimeter, spirometer)
242
metri-
1. length, measure (isometric, emmetropic). 2. uterus (endometrium)
243
micro-
small (microscopic, microcytic, microglia)
244
mito-
thread, filament (mitochondria, mitosis)
245
mono-
one (monocyte, monogamy, mononucleosis)
246
morpho-
form, shape, structure (morphology, amorphous)
247
muta-
change (mutagen, mutation)
248
myelo-
1. spinal cord (poliomyelitis, myelin) 2. bone marrow (myeloid, myelocytic)
249
myo-,
mysi- muscle (myoglobin, myosin, epimysium)
250
natri-
sodium (hyponatremia, natriuretic)
251
neo-
new (neonatal, gluconeogenesis)
252
nephro-
kidney (nephron, hydronephrosis)
253
neuro-
nerve (aponeurosis, neurosoma, neurology)
254
nucleo-
nucleus, kernel (nucleolus, nucleic acid)
255
oo-
egg (oogenesis, oocyte)
256
ob-
1. life (aerobic, microbe) 2. against, toward, before (obstetrics, obturator, obstruction)
257
oculo-
eye (oculi, oculomotor)
258
odonto-
tooth (odontoblast, periodontal)
259
-oid
like, resembling (colloid, sigmoid, ameboid)
260
-ole
small (arteriole, bronchiole, nucleolus)
261
oligo-
few, a little, scanty (oligopeptide, oliguria)
262
-oma
tumor, mass (carcinoma, hematoma)
263
omo-
shoulder (omohyoid, acromion)
264
onycho-
nail, claw (hyponychium, onychomycosis)
265
op-
vision (optics, myopia, photopic)
266
-opsy
viewing, to see (biopsy, rhodopsin)
267
or-
mouth (oral, orbicularis oris)
268
orbi-
circle (orbicularis, orbit)
269
organo-
tool, instrument (organ, organelle)
270
ortho-
straight (orthopnea, orthodontics, orthopedics)
271
-ose
1. full of (adipose) 2. sugar (sucrose, glucose)
272
-osis
1. process (osmosis, exocytosis) 2. condition, disease (cyanosis, thrombosis). 3. increase (leukocytosis)
273
osmo-
push (osmosis, chemiosmotic)
274
osse-,
oste- bone (osseous, osteoporosis)
275
oto-
ear (otolith, otitis, parotid)
276
-ous
1. full of (nitrogenous, edematous) 2. pertaining to (mucous, nervous) 3. like, characterized by (squamous, filamentous)
277
ovo-
egg (ovum, ovary, ovulation)
278
oxy-
1. oxygen (hypoxia, oxyhemoglobin) 2. sharp, quick (oxytocin)
279
palli-
pale (pallor, globus pallidus)
280
palpebro-
eyelid (palpebrae)
281
pan-
all (panhypopituitarism, pancreas)
282
panni-
cloth, rag (pannus, panniculus)
283
papillo-
nipple (papilla, papillary)
284
par-
birth (postpartum, parturition, multiparous)
285
para-
next to (parathyroid, parotid)
286
parieto-
wall (parietal)
287
patho-
1. disease (pathology, pathogen) 2. feeling (sympathetic)
288
pecto-
1. chest (pectoralis) 2. comblike (pectineus)
289
pedi-
1. foot (bipedal, pedicle) 2. child (pediatrics)
290
pelvi-
basin (pelvis, pelvic)
291
-penia
deficiency (leukopenia, thrombocytopenia)
292
penna-
feather (unipennate, bipennate)
293
peri-
around (periosteum, peritoneum, periodontal)
294
perone-
fibula (peroneus tertius, peroneal nerve)
295
phago-
eat (phagocytosis, macrophage)
296
philo-
loving, attracted to (hydrophilic, amphiphilic)
297
phobo-
fearing, repelled by (hydrophobic)
298
phor-
to carry, bear (diaphoresis, electrophoresis)
299
phragm-
partition (diaphragm)
300
phreno-
diaphragm (phrenic nerve)
301
physio-
nature, natural cause (physiology, physician)
302
-physis
growth (diaphysis, hypophysis)
303
pilo-
hair (piloerection)
304
pino-
drink, imbibe (pinocytosis)
305
planto-
sole of foot (plantaris, plantar wart)
306
plasi-
growth (hyperplasia, neoplasia)
307
plasm-
shaped, molded (cytoplasm, endoplasmic)
308
plasti-
form (thromboplastin)
309
platy-
flat (platysma)
310
pnea-
breath, breathing (eupnea, dyspnea)
311
pneumo-
air, breath, lung (pneumonia, pneumothorax)
312
podo-
foot (pseudopod, podocyte)
313
poies-
forming (hematopoiesis, erythropoietin)
314
poly-
many, much, excessive (polypeptide, polyuria)
315
primi-
first (primary, primipara, primitive)
316
pro-
1. before, in front, first (prokaryote, prophase, prostate) 2. promote, favor (progesterone, prolactin)
317
pseudo-
false (pseudopod)
318
psycho-
mind (psychosis, psychosomatic)
319
ptero-,
pterygo- wing (pterygoid)
320
-ptosis
dropping, falling, sagging (apoptosis, nephroptosis)
321
puncto-
point (puncta)
322
pyro-
fire (pyrogen, antipyretic)
323
quadri-
four (quadriceps, quadratus)
324
quater-
fourth (quaternary)
325
radiat-
radiating (corona radiata)
326
rami-
branch (ramus)
327
recto-
straight (rectus abdominis, rectum)
328
reno-
kidney (renal, renin)
329
reti-
network (reticular, rete testis)
330
retinac-
retainer, bracelet (retinaculum)
331
retro-
behind, backward (retroperitoneal, retrovirus)
332
rhombo-
rhombus (rhomboideus, rhombencephalon)
333
rubo-,
rubro- red (bilirubin, rubrospinal)
334
rugo-
fold, wrinkle (ruga, corrugator)
335
sacculo-
little sac (saccule)
336
sarco-
flesh, muscle (sarcoplasm, sarcomere)
337
scala-
staircase (scala tympani)
338
sclero-
hard, tough (sclera, sclerosis)
339
scopo-
see (microscope, endoscopy)
340
secto-
cut (section, dissection)
341
semi-
half (semilunar, semimembranosus)
342
sepsi-
infection (asepsis, septicemia)
343
-sis
process (diapedesis, amniocentesis)
344
sole-
sandal, sole of foot, flatfish (sole, soleus)
345
soma-,
somato- body (somatic, somatotropin)
346
spheno-
wedge (sphenoid)
347
spiro-
breathing (inspiration, spirometry)
348
splanchno-
viscera (splanchnic)
349
spleno-
1. bandage (splenius capitis) 2. spleen (splenic artery)
350
squamo-
scale, flat (squamous, desquamation)
351
stasi-,
stati- put, remain, stay the same (hemostasis, homeostatic)
352
steno-
narrow (stenosis)
353
ster-,
stereo- solid, three-dimensional (steroid, stereoscopic)
354
sterno-
breast, chest (sternum, sternocleidomastoid)
355
stria-
stripe (striated, corpus striatum)
356
sub-
below (subcutaneous, subclavicular)
357
sulc-
furrow, groove (sulcus)
358
supra-
above (supraspinous, supraclavicular)
359
sura-
calf of leg (triceps surae)
360
sym-
together (sympathetic, symphysis)
361
syn-
together (synostosis, syncytium)
362
tachy-
fast (tachycardia, tachypnea)
363
tarsi-
ankle (tarsus, metatarsal)
364
tecto-
roof, cover (tectorial membrane, tectum)
365
telo-
last, end (telophase, telencephalon)
366
tempo-
time (temporal)
367
terti-
third (tertiary)
368
theli-
nipple, female, tender (epithelium, polythelia)
369
thermo-
heat (thermogenesis, thermoregulation)
370
thrombo-
blood clot (thrombosis, thrombin)
371
thyro-
shield (thyroid, thyrohyoid)
372
-tion
process (circulation, pronation)
373
toci-
birth (oxytocin)
374
tomo-
1. cut (tomography, atom, anatomy)
375
2.
segment (dermatome, myotome, sclerotome)
376
tono-
force, tension (isotonic, tonus, myotonia)
377
topo-
place, position (isotope, ectopic)
378
trabo-
plate (trabecula)
379
trans-
across (transpiration, transdermal)
380
trapezi-
1. table, grinding surface (trapezium)
381
2.
trapezoidal (trapezius)
382
tri-
three (triceps, triglyceride)
383
tricho-
hair (trichosiderin, peritrichial)
384
trocho-
wheel, pulley (trochlea)
385
troph-
1. food, nourishment (trophic, trophoblast)
386
2.
growth (dystrophy, hypertrophy)
387
tropo-
to turn, change (metabotropic, gonadotropin)
388
tunica-
coat (tunica intima, tunica vaginalis)
389
tympano-
drum, eardrum (tympanic, tensor tympani)
390
-ul
small (trabecula, tubule, capitulum, glomerulus)
391
-uncle,
-unculus small (homunculus, caruncle)
392
uni-
one (unipennate, unipolar)
393
uri-
urine (glycosuria, urinalysis, diuretic)
394
utriculo-
little bag (utriculus)
395
vagino-
sheath (invaginate, tunica vaginalis)
396
vago-
wander (vagus)
397
vaso-
vessel (vascular, vas deferens, vasa recta)
398
ventro-
belly, lower part (ventral, ventricle)
399
vermi-
worm (vermis, vermiform appendix)
400
vertebro-
spine (vertebrae, intervertebral)
401
vesico-
bladder, blister (vesical, vesicular)
402
villo-
hair, hairy (microvillus)
403
vitre-
glass (in vitro, vitreous humor)
404
vivi-
life, alive (in vivo, revive)
405
zygo-
union, join, mate (zygomatic, zygote, azygos)
