List of medical roots, suffixes and prefixes - wikipedia List of medical roots, suffixes and prefixes The citations in this article lack sufficient bibliographical information ( e.g. author, title, date of publication, publisher, ISBN, OCLC number, pages cited, etc. ). Specific concerns can be found on the talk page. See Help : Referencing for beginners with citation templates for guidance about writing citations. ( September 2017 ) This is a list of roots, suffixes, and prefixes used in medical terminology, their meanings, and their etymology. Most of them are combining forms in New Latin and hence international scientific vocabulary. There are a few general rules about how they combine. First, prefixes and suffixes, most of which are derived from ancient Greek or classical Latin, have a droppable - o -. As a general rule, this - o - almost always acts as a joint - stem to connect two consonantal roots, e.g. arthr - + - o - + logy = arthrology. But generally, the - o - is dropped when connecting to a vowel - stem ; e.g. arthr - + itis = arthritis, instead of * arthr - o-itis. Second, medical roots generally go together according to language, i.e., Greek prefixes occur with Greek suffixes and Latin prefixes with Latin suffixes. Although international scientific vocabulary is not stringent about segregating combining forms of different languages, it is advisable when coining new words not to mix different lingual roots. Contents 1 Prefixes and suffixes 1.3 C 1.4 D 1.5 E 1.6 F 1.7 G 1.8 H 1.9 I 1.10 J 1.11 K 1.12 L 1.13 M 1.14 N 1.15 O 1.16 P 1.17 Q 1.18 R 1.19 S 1.20 T 1.21 U 1.22 V 1.23 X 1.24 Y 1.25 Z 2 English meanings 2.1 Roots of the body 2.1. 1 Roots of bodily concepts 2.1. 2 Roots of body parts and components 2.2 Roots of color 2.3 Roots of description 2.4 Roots of position 2.5 Prefixes of quantity or amount 3 See also 4 References 5 Bibliography Prefixes and suffixes The following is an alphabetical list of medical prefixes and suffixes, along with their meanings, origin, and English examples. Affix Meaning Origin language and etymology Example ( s ) a -, an - not, without Ancient Greek ἀ - / ἀν - ( a - / an - ), not, without analgesic, apathy ab - from ; away from Latin abduction abdomin - Of or relating to the abdomen Latin abdōmen, abdomen, fat around the belly abdomen, abdominal - ac pertaining to Greek - ακός ( - akos ) cardiac, hydrophobiac acanth - thorn or spine Ancient Greek ἄκανθα ( ákantha ), thorn acanthion, acanthocyte, acanthoma, acanthulus acou - Of or relating to hearing Greek ἀκούειν ( akoúein ), ἀκουστικός ( akoustikós ), of or for hearing acoumeter, acoustician, hyperacusis acr - extremity, topmost Greek ἄκρον ( akron ), highest or farthest point acrocrany, acromegaly, acroosteolysis, acroposthia - acusis hearing Greek ἀκουστικός ( akoustikós ), of or for hearing paracusis - ad toward, in the direction of dorsad ad - at, increase, on, toward Latin adduction aden - Of or relating to a gland Ancient Greek ἀδήν, ἀδέν - ( adēn, aden - ), an acorn ; a gland adenocarcinoma, adenology, adenotome, adenotyphus adip - Of or relating to fat or fatty tissue Latin ( adeps, adip - ), fat Adipocyte adren - Of or relating to adrenal glands Latin adrenal artery - emia ( BrE ) blood condition Greek ἀναιμία, without blood Anemia aer ( o ) - air, gas Greek ἀήρ, ἀέρος Aerosinusitis aesthesi - ( BrE ) sensation Greek αἴσθησις Anesthesia - al pertaining to Latin - alis abdominal, femoral alb - Denoting a white or pale color Latin albus, white Albino alge ( si ) - pain Greek ἄλγος Analgesic - algia, alg ( i ) o - pain Greek Myalgia all - Denoting something as different, or as an addition Ancient Greek ἄλλος ( allos ), another, other Alloantigen, allopathy ambi - Denoting something as positioned on both sides ; describing both of two Latin ( ambi -, ambo ), both, on both sides Ambidextrous amni - Pertaining to the membranous fetal sac ( amnion ) Greek ἄμνιον Amniocentesis amph ( i ) -, on both sides Greek ἀμφί ( amphi ) Amphicrania, amphismela, amphomycin amylo - starchy, carbohydrate - related Latin amylum ( starch ) Amylase, amylophagia an - not, without Greek Analgesia ana - back, again, up Greek Anaplasia an - anus Latin anal andr - pertaining to a man Greek ἀνήρ, ἀνδρ - Android, andrology, androgen angi - blood vessel Greek ἀγγεῖον angiogram, angioplasty aniso - Describing something as unequal Ancient Greek ἄνῑσος ( anīsos ), unequal Anisocytosis, anisotropic ankyl -, ancyl - Denoting something as crooked or bent Ancient Greek ἀγκύλος ( ankýlos ), crooked, curved Ankylosis ante - Describing something as positioned in front of another thing Latin ( āntē ), before, in front of antepartum anti - Describing something as ' against ' or ' opposed to ' another Ancient Greek αντι ( anti ), against Antibody, antipsychotic apo - away, separated from, derived from Ancient Greek ἀπό Apoptosis arch - first, primitive Ancient Greek archinephron arsen ( o ) - Of or pertaining to a male ; masculine Greek ( arsein ) arsenoblast arteri ( o ) - Of or pertaining to an artery Ancient Greek ἀρτηρία ( artēría ), a wind - pipe, artery ( used distinctly versus a vein ) Arteriole, artery arthr - Of or pertaining to the joints, limbs Ancient Greek ἄρθρον ( árthron ), a joint, limb Arthritis articul - joint Latin articulus Articulation - ary pertaining to Latin - arius biliary tract, coronary - ase enzyme Greek διάστασις, division Lactase - asthenia weakness Greek, ἀσθένεια Myasthenia gravis atel ( o ) - imperfect or incomplete development atelocardia ather - fatty deposit, soft gruel - like deposit ἀθάρη ( athárē ) Atherosclerosis - ation process Latin medication atri - an atrium ( esp. heart atrium ) Latin atrioventricular aur - Of or pertaining to the ear Latin ( auris ), the ear Aural aut - self Greek αὐτο - Autoimmune aux ( o ) - increase ; growth Auxocardia : enlargement of the heart, auxology axill - Of or pertaining to the armpit ( uncommon as a prefix ) Latin ( axilla ), armpit Axilla azo ( to ) - nitrogenous compound azothermia : raised temperature due to nitrogenous substances in blood Affix Meaning Origin language and etymology Example ( s ) bacteri - Pertaining to bacteria Latin ( `` bacterium '' ) ; Greek βακτήριον ( `` baktḗrion '' ), `` small staff '' bacteriophage, bactericide balan - Of the glans penis or glans clitoridis Greek βάλανος ( bálanos ), acorn, glans balanitis bas - Of or pertaining to base Greek βάσις ( básis ), `` foundation '', `` base '' basolateral bi - twice, double Latin Binary bio - life Ancient Greek βίος ( bíos ) Biology blast - germ or bud Greek βλαστός ( blastós ) Blastomere blephar ( o ) - Of or pertaining to the eyelid Ancient Greek βλέφαρον ( blépharon ), eyelid Blepharoplasty brachi ( o ) - Of or relating to the arm Latin ( bracchium ), from Ancient Greek βραχίων ( brachiōn ), arm Brachium of inferior colliculus brachy - Indicating ' short ' or less commonly ' little ' Ancient Greek βραχύς ( brachys ), short, little, shallow brachycephalic brady - ' slow ' Ancient Greek βραδύς ( bradys ), slow Bradycardia bronch ( i ) - of or relating to the bronchus Latin ( bronchus ) ; Ancient Greek βρόγχος ( brónkhos ), windpipe Bronchitis, bronchiolitis obliterans bucc ( o ) - Of or pertaining to the cheek Latin ( bucca ), cheek Buccolabial burs ( o ) - bursa ( fluid sac between the bones ) Latin ( bursa ), purse ; Ancient Greek βύρσα ( búrsa ), hide, wine - skin Bursa, bursitis Affix Meaning Origin language and etymology Example ( s ) capill - Of or pertaining to hair Latin ( capillus ), hair Capillus capit - Pertaining to the head ( as a whole ) Latin ( caput, capit - ), the head capitation carcin - cancer Greek καρκίνος ( karkinos ), crab carcinoma cardi - Of or pertaining to the heart Ancient Greek καρδία ( kardía ), heart cardiology carp - Of or pertaining to the wrist Latin ( carpus ) < Ancient Greek καρπός ( karpós ), wrist ; NOTE : This root should not be confused with the mirror root carp ( o ) - meaning fruit. carpopedal spasm cata - down, under Greek κατά ( kata ) Cataract, catabolism - cele pouching, hernia Ancient Greek κήλη ( kēlē ) Hydrocele, Varicocele - centesis surgical puncture for aspiration Ancient Greek κέντησις ( kentēsis ) amniocentesis cephal ( o ) - Of or pertaining to the head ( as a whole ) Ancient Greek κεφαλή ( képhalē ), the head cephalalgy, hydrocephalus cerat ( o ) - Of or pertaining to the cornu ; a horn Ancient Greek κέρας, κερατ - ( kéras, kerat - ), a horn Ceratoid cerebell ( o ) - Of or pertaining to the cerebellum Latin ( cerebellum ), little brain Cerebellum cerebr - Of or pertaining to the brain Latin ( cerebrum ), brain Cerebrology cervic - Of or pertaining to the neck, the cervix Latin ( cervix, cervīc - ), neck, cervix cervicodorsal cheil - Of or pertaining to the lips Latin ( cheilitis ) angular cheilitis chem - chemistry, drug Greek χημεία chemotherapy chir -, cheir - Of or pertaining to the hand Ancient Greek χείρ, χειρο - ( cheir, cheiro - ), hand chiropractor chlor - Denoting a green color Ancient Greek χλωρός ( chlōros ), green, yellow - green chlorophyll chol ( e ) - Of or pertaining to bile Ancient Greek χολή ( cholē ), bile Cholaemia ( UK ) / Cholemia ( US ), Cholecystitis cholecyst ( o ) - Of or pertaining to the gallbladder Ancient Greek χοληκύστις ( cholēkýstis ), gallbladder < χολή ( cholē ), bile, gall + κύστις ( kýstis ), bladder Cholecystectomy chondr ( i ) o - cartilage, gristle, granule, granular Ancient Greek χονδρός ( chondros ) Chondrocalcinosis chrom ( ato ) - color Ancient Greek χρῶμα ( chrōma ) Hemochromatosis - cidal, - cide killing, destroying Latin bacteriocidal cili - Of or pertaining to the cilia, the eyelashes ; eyelids Latin ( cilium ), eyelash ; eyelid Ciliary circum - Denoting something as ' around ' another Latin ( circum ), around circumcision cis - on this side Latin cis cisgender clast break Greek κλαστός `` broken '' osteoclast clostr - spindle Greek κλωστήρ ( klōstēr ) Clostridium co - with, together, in association Latin coenzymes col -, colo -, colono - colon κόλον ( kólon ) Colonoscopy colp ( o ) - Of or pertaining to the vagina Ancient Greek κόλπος ( kólpos ), bosom, womb ; hollow, depth Colposcopy com - with, together Latin cum contra against Latin Contraindicate cor - with, together Latin corrective cor - Of or pertaining to eye 's pupil Ancient Greek κόρη ( kórē ), girl, doll ; pupil of the eye Corectomy cord - Of or pertaining to the heart ( uncommon as a prefix ) Latin ( cor, cordi - ), `` heart '' Commotio cordis cornu - Applied to processes and parts of the body describing them likened or similar to horns Latin cornū, `` horn '' Greater cornu coron ( o ) - pertaining to heart Latin corōna coronary heart disease cortic ( o ) Cortex, or outer region Latin cortex, `` Bark of a tree '' Corticosteriod cost - Of or pertaining to the ribs Latin ( costa ), `` rib '' Costochondral cox - Of or relating to the hip, haunch, or hip - joint Latin ( coxa ), hip Coxopodite crani ( o ) - Belonging or relating to the cranium Latin ( cranium ) < Ancient Greek κρᾱνίον ( krānion ), the cranium, skull, bones enclosing the brain Craniology - crine, crin ( o ) to secrete εκκρίνει ecrine Endocrine cry ( o ) - cold Greek κρύος Cryoablation cutane - skin Latin cutis Subcutaneous cyan ( o ) - Denotes a blue color Ancient Greek κύανος, κυάνεος ( kýanos, kyáneos ), blue Cyanopsia cycl - circle, cycle Greek κύκλος ( kuklos ) Cyclosis cyph ( o ) - Denotes something as bent ( uncommon as a prefix ) Ancient Greek κυφός ( kȳphós ), bent, hunchback Cyphosis cyst ( o ) -, cyst ( i ) - Of or pertaining to the urinary bladder Ancient Greek κύστις κύστις ( kýstis ) ; bladder, cyst Cystotomy cyt ( o ) -, - cyte cell Greek κύτος Cytokine, leukocyte Affix Meaning Origin language and etymology Example ( s ) dacry ( o ) - Of or pertaining to tears Greek δάκρυ, tear Dacryoadenitis, dacryocystitis - dactyl ( o ) - Of or pertaining to a finger, toe Ancient Greek δάκτυλος ( dáktylos ), finger, toe dactylology, polydactyly de - from, down, or away from Latin de - dehydrate dent - Of or pertaining to teeth Latin ( dens, dentis ), tooth Dentist dermat ( o ) -, derm ( o ) - Of or pertaining to the skin Ancient Greek δέρμα, δέρματος ( dérma, dérmat - ), skin, human skin Dermatology, epidermis, hypodermic, xeroderma - desis binding Greek δέσις ( désis ) arthrodesis dextr ( o ) - right, on the right side Latin dexter Dextrocardia di - two Greek δι - Diplopia di - apart, separation Latin dilation, distal dia - through, during, across Ancient Greek διά ( diá ), through, during, across dialysis dif - apart, separation Latin different digit - Of or pertaining to the finger ( rare as a root ) Latin ( digitus ), finger, toe Digit diplo - twofold Greek διπλόος ( diplóos ) diploid, diplosis - dipsia suffix meaning `` ( condition of ) thirst '' ' Greek δίψα ( dípsa ) dipsomania, hydroadipsia, oligodipsia, polydipsia dis - separation, taking apart Latin dis - Dissection dors ( o ) -, dors ( i ) - Of or pertaining to the back Latin ( dorsum ), back dorsal, dorsocephalad dromo - running, conduction, course Greek δρόμος ( drómos ) Dromotropic, syndrome duodeno - duodenum, twelve : upper part of the small intestine ( twelve inches long on average ), connects to the stomach Latin duodeni Duodenal atresia dynam ( o ) - force, energy, power Greek δύναμις ( dúnamis ) Hand strength dynamometer - dynia pain Vulvodynia dys - bad, difficult, defective, abnormal Greek δυσ - ( dus - ) dysentery, dysphagia, dysphasia Affix Meaning Origin language and etymology Example ( s ) - eal pertaining to Latin adenohypophyseal, corneal, esophageal, perineal ec - out, away Greek ἐκ - ( ek - ) Ectopia, ectopic pregnancy ect ( o ) - outer, outside Greek ἐκτός ( ektós ) Ectoblast, ectoderm - ectasia, - ectasis expansion, dilation Ancient Greek ἔκτασις ( éktasis ) Bronchiectasis, telangiectasia - ectomy Denotes a surgical operation or removal of a body part. Resection, excision Ancient Greek ἐκτομή ( ektomḗ ), excision Mastectomy - emesis vomiting condition Greek ἕμεσις ( émesis ) Hematemesis - emia blood condition ( Am Engl ) Ancient Greek αἷμα, blood Anemia encephal ( o ) - Of or pertaining to the brain. Also see Cerebro. Ancient Greek ἐγκέφαλος ( enképhalos ), the brain Encephalogram endo - Denotes something as ' inside ' or ' within ' ἐνδο - ( endo - ), inside, internal Endocrinology, endospore eosin ( o ) - Red Ancient Greek Eos, the Greek word for ' dawn ' and the name of the Greek goddess of the dawn. Eosinophil granulocyte enter ( o ) - Of or pertaining to the intestine Ancient Greek ἔντερον ( énteron ), intestine Gastroenterology epi - on, upon Ancient Greek ἐπι - ( epi - ), before, upon, on, outside, outside of Epicardium, epidermis, epidural, episclera, epistaxis episi ( o ) - Of or pertaining to the pubic region, the loins Ancient Greek ἐπίσιον - ( epísion ), the pubic area, loins ; vulva Episiotomy erythr ( o ) - Denotes a red color Ancient Greek ἐρυθρός ( erythrós ), red Erythrocyte - esophageal, - esophago - gullet ( AmE ) Greek οἰσοφάγος ( oisophágos ) Esophagus esthesio - sensation ( AmE ) Greek αἴσθησις ( aisthēsis ) Esthesioneuroblastoma, esthesia eu - true, good, well, new εὖ ( eû ) Eukaryote ex - out of, away from Latin Excision exo - Denotes something as ' outside ' another Ancient Greek ἐξω - ( exo - ), outside of, external Exophthalmos, exoskeleton extra - outside Latin Extradural hematoma Affix Meaning Origin language and etymology Example ( s ) faci - Of or pertaining to the face Latin faciēs, the face, countenance Facioplegic fibr - fiber Latin fibra, fiber, filament, entrails fibril, fibrin, fibrinous pericarditis, fibroblast fil - fine, hair - like Latin ( filum ), thread Filament, filum terminale foramen hole, opening, or aperature, particularly in bone Latin Foramen magnum - form Used to form adjectives indicating ' having the form of ' Latin ( forma ), form, shape cruciform, cuneiform, falciform fore - before or ahead foregut fossa A hollow or depressed area ; trench or channel Latin ( fossa ), ditch, pit fossa ovalis front - Of or pertaining to the forehead Latin ( frōns, front - ), the forehead frontonasal Affix Meaning Origin language and etymology Example ( s ) galact ( o ) - milk Greek γάλα, γαλακτ - Galactorrhea Galaxy gastr ( o ) - Of or pertaining to the stomach Ancient Greek γαστήρ ( gastēr ), γαστρ -, stomach, belly Gastric bypass - gen ( 1 ) Denotes the sense ' born in, from ' ( 2 ) Denotes the sense ' of a certain kind ' Ancient Greek - γενής ( - genēs ), from γεν - νάειν ( gen - náein ), to be born ( 1 ) Endogen ; ( 2 ) Heterogenous - genic Formative, pertaining to producing Greek Cardiogenic shock genu - Of or pertaining to the knee Latin ( genū ), knee Genu valgum - geusia Taste Ancient Greek γεῦσις ( geusis ) Ageusia, dysgeusia, hypergeusia, hypogeusia, parageusia gingiv - Of or pertaining to the gums Latin gingīva, gum Gingivitis glauc ( o ) - Denoting a grey or bluish - grey colour Ancient Greek γλαυκός ( glaukos ), grey, bluish - grey Glaucoma gloss ( o ) -, glott ( o ) - Of or pertaining to the tongue Ancient Greek γλῶσσα, γλῶττα ( glōssa, glōtta ), tongue Glossology gluco - sweet Greek γλυκός, sweet Glucocorticoid glyc ( o ) - sugar Ancient Greek Glycolysis gnath ( o ) - Of or pertaining to the jaw Ancient Greek γνάθος ( gnáthos ), jaw Gnathodynamometer - gnosis knowledge Greek diagnosis, prognosis gon ( o ) - seed, semen ; also, reproductive Ancient Greek γόνος Gonorrhea - gram, - gramme record or picture Greek γράμμα ( gramma ) Angiogram - graph instrument used to record data or picture Ancient Greek - γραφία ( - graphía ), written, drawn, graphic interpretation Electrocardiograph - graphy process of recording Ancient Greek Angiography gyno -, gynaeco - ( BrE ), gyneco - ( AmE ) woman Greek γυνή, γυναικ - Gynecomastia Affix Meaning Origin language and etymology Example ( s ) halluc - to wander in mind Classical Latin to wander in mind Hallucinosis hemat -, haemato - ( haem -, hem - ) Of or pertaining to blood Latin ( hæma ) < Ancient Greek αἵμα, αἱματ - ( haima, haimat - ), blood Hematology, older form Haematology hema - or hemo - blood ( AmE ) Greek Hemal, Hemoglobin hemangi or hemangio - blood vessels Hemangioma hemi - one - half Ancient Greek ἡμι - ( hēmi - ), `` half '' Cerebral hemisphere hepat - ( hepatic - ) Of or pertaining to the liver Ancient Greek ἥπαρ, ἡπατο - ( hēpar, hēpato - ), the liver Hepatology, Hepatitis heter ( o ) - Denotes something as ' the other ' ( of two ), as an addition, or different Ancient Greek ἕτερος ( héteros ), the other ( of two ), another ; different Heterogeneous hidr ( o ) - sweat Greek ἱδρωτ - Hyperhidrosis hist ( o ) -, histio - tissue Greek ἱστός Histology home ( o ) - similar Ancient Greek ὅμοιος ( homoios ) Homeopathy hom ( o ) - Denotes something as ' the same ' as another or common Ancient Greek ὁμο - ( homo - ), the same, common Homosexuality humer ( o ) - Of or pertaining to the shoulder ( or ( rarely ) the upper arm ) Latin ( umerus ), shoulder Humerus hydr ( o ) - water Greek ὕδωρ Hydrophobe hyper - Denotes something as ' extreme ' or ' beyond normal ' Ancient Greek ὑπέρ ( hyper ), over, above ; beyond, to the extreme Hypertension hyp ( o ) - Denotes something as ' below normal ' Ancient Greek ὑπ ( ο ) - ( hypo - ), below, under Hypovolemia, hyster ( o ) - Of or pertaining to the womb, the uterus Ancient Greek ὑστέρα ( hystéra ), womb Hysterectomy, Hysteria Affix Meaning Origin language and etymology Example ( s ) - i - asis condition, formation, or presence of Greek - ίασις Mydriasis iatr ( o ) - Of or pertaining to medicine, or a physician ( uncommon as a prefix ; common as a suffix, see - iatry ) Ancient Greek ἰᾱτρός ( iātrós ), healer, physician Iatrochemistry - iatry Denotes a field in medicine of a certain body component Ancient Greek ἰᾱτρός ( iātrós ), healer, physician Podiatry, psychiatry - ic pertaining to Greek - ικός ( - ikos ) Hepatic artery - icle small Latin Ovarian follicle - ics organized knowledge, treatment Latin - ica < Greek < - ικά Obstetrics idio - self, one 's own Greek ἴδιος, idios, `` one 's own '' Idiopathic ileo - ileum Greek ἰλεός Ileocecal valve infra - below Latin Infrahyoid muscles inter - between, among Latin Interarticular ligament intra - within Latin intramural ipsi - same Latin Ipsilateral irid ( o ) - iris Greek ἴρις Iridectomy isch - restriction Greek ἴσχω Ischemia ischio - Of or pertaining to the ischium, the hip - joint Ancient Greek ἰσχιόν ( ischión ), hip - joint, ischium Ischioanal fossa - ism condition, disease Dwarfism - ismus spasm, contraction Greek - ισμός Hemiballismus iso - Denoting something as being ' equal ' Ancient Greek ἴσος ( ísos ), equal Isotonic - ist one who specializes in Greek - ιστής ( - istes ) Pathologist - ite the nature of, resembling Greek - ίτης Hermaphrodite - itis inflammation Tonsillitis - ium structure, tissue pericardium J Affix Meaning Origin language and etymology Example ( s ) juxta ( iuxta ) Near to, alongside or next to Latin Juxtaglomerular apparatus Affix Meaning Origin language and etymology Example ( s ) kal - potassium hyperkalemia kary - nucleus Greek κάρυον ( káruon ), `` nut '' eukaryote kerat - cornea ( eye or skin ) Greek κέρας ( kéras ), `` horn '' keratoscope kine - movement Greek κινέω akinetopsia, kinesthesia koil - hollow Greek κοῖλος ( koîlos ) koilocyte kyph - humped Greek κυφός ( kuphós ) kyphoscoliosis Affix Meaning Origin language and etymology Example ( s ) labi - Of or pertaining to the lip Latin ( labium ), lip labiodental lacrim ( o ) - tear Latin Lacrimal canaliculi lact ( i ) -, lact ( o ) milk Latin Lactation lapar ( o ) - Of or pertaining to the abdominal wall, flank Ancient Greek λαπάρᾱ ( lapárā ), flank Laparotomy laryng ( o ) - Of or pertaining to the larynx, the lower throat cavity where the voice box is Ancient Greek λάρυγξ, λαρυγγ - ( lárynx, laryng - ), throat, gullet Larynx latero - lateral Latin Lateral pectoral nerve lei ( o ) - smooth Greek λεῖος Leiomyoma - lepsis, - lepsy attack, seizure Greek λῆψις Epilepsy, narcolepsy lept ( o ) - light, slender Greek λεπτός ( leptos ) Leptomeningeal leuc ( o ) -, leuk ( o ) - Denoting a white color Ancient Greek λευκός ( leukos ), white, bright Leukocyte lingu ( a ) -, lingu ( o ) - Of or pertaining to the tongue Latin ( lingua ), tongue Linguistics lip ( o ) - fat Greek λίπος ( lipos ) Liposuction liss ( os ) - smooth Greek Λισσός ( lissos ) Lissencephaly lith ( o ) - stone, calculus Greek λίθος ( lithos ) Lithotripsy log ( o ) - speech Greek λόγος ( logos ) dialog, catalog, logos - logist Denotes someone who studies a certain field ( the field of _____ - logy ) ; a specialist ; one who treats Ancient Greek λογιστής ( logistēs ), studier, practitioner Oncologist, pathologist - logy Denotes the academic study or practice of a certain field ; the study of Ancient Greek λόγoς ( logos ) study hematology, urology lumb ( o ) -, lumb ( a ) - Of or relating to the part of the trunk between the lowest ribs and the pelvis. Latin ( lumbus or lumbaris ) loin Lumbar vertebrae lymph ( o ) - lymph Latin lympha - water Lymphedema lys ( o ) -, - lytic dissolution Greek Lysosome - lysis Destruction, separation Greek λύσις Paralysis Affix Meaning Origin language and etymology Example ( s ) macr ( o ) - large, long Greek μακρός Macrophage - malacia softening Greek μαλακία Osteomalacia mamm ( o ) - Of or pertaining to the breast Latin ( mamma ), breast ; udder Mammogram mammill ( o ) - Of or pertaining to the nipple Latin mammilla, nipple Mammillaplasty, Mammillitis manu - Of or pertaining to the hand Latin ( manus ), hand Manufacture mast ( o ) - Of or pertaining to the breast Ancient Greek μαστός ( mastós ), breast, women 's breast ; man 's pectoral muscle Mastectomy meg ( a ) -, megal ( o ) -, - megaly enlargement, million Greek μέγας Splenomegaly, Megameter melan ( o ) - black color Ancient Greek μέλας, μελανο - ( melas, melano - ), black ; dark Melanin melos extremity Ancient Greek μέλος Erythromelalgia mening ( o ) - membrane Greek μῆνιγξ, μηνιγγ - Meningitis men - month, menstrual cycle Ancient Greek μήν ( mḗn ), month Menopause, Menorrhagia mer - part Greek μέρος ( meros ), part Merocrine, Meroblastic mes - middle Ancient Greek μέσος ( mesos ), `` middle '' Mesoderm met, meta - after, beside, beyond or change Greek μετά Metacarpal, Metacarpus, Metacromion, Metanephros, Metatheria - meter instrument used to measure or count Greek μέτρον Sphygmomanometer - metry process of measuring Greek - μετρία Optometry metr - Pertaining to conditions or instruments of the uterus Ancient Greek μήτρᾱ ( mētrā ), womb, uterus Metrorrhagia micr - denoting something as small, or relating to smallness, millionth Ancient Greek μικρός ( mikros ), small Microscope milli - thousandth Latin mille, thousand Milliliter mon - single Greek μονός ( monos ) Infectious Mononucleosis morph - form, shape Greek μορφή ( morphē ) Morphology muscul ( o ) - muscle Latin Musculoskeletal system my ( o ) - Of or relating to muscle Ancient Greek μῦς, μυ - ( mys, my - ), muscle ; mouse ; mussel Myoblast myc ( o ) - fungus Greek μύκης, μυκητ - Onychomycosis myel ( o ) - Of or relating to bone marrow or spinal cord Ancient Greek μυελόν ( myelon ), marrow ; bone - marrow Myeloblast myl ( o ) - Of or relating to molar teeth or lower jaw Greek ( myle ) Mylohyoid nerve myri - ten thousand Ancient Greek μύριοι ( mýrioi ), myriad Myriad myring ( o ) - eardrum Latin myringa Myringotomy myx ( o ) - mucus Greek μύξα Myxoma Affix Meaning Origin language and etymology Example ( s ) narc ( o ) - numb, sleep Greek νάρκη narcolepsy nas ( o ) - Of or pertaining to the nose Latin ( nāsum ), nose nasal necr ( o ) - death Greek νεκρός Necrosis, necrotizing fasciitis neo - new Greek νέος Neoplasm nephr ( o ) - Of or pertaining to the kidney Ancient Greek νεφρός ( nephrós ), kidney Nephrology nerv - Of or pertaining to nerves and the nervous system ( Uncommon as a root : neuro - mostly always used ) Latin ( nervus ), tendon ; nerve ; Cognate with the Greek νευρον ( neuron ) ( see below ) Nerve, nervous system neur ( i ) -, neur ( o ) - Of or pertaining to nerves and the nervous system Ancient Greek νεῦρον ( neuron ), tendon, sinew ; nerve Neurofibromatosis noci - pain, injury, hurt Latin ( noceo ) Nociception normo - normal Latin Normocapnia O Affix Meaning Origin language and etymology Example ( s ) ocul ( o ) - Of or pertaining to the eye Latin ( oculus ), the eye Oculist odont ( o ) - Of or pertaining to teeth Ancient Greek ὀδούς, ὀδοντ - ( odoús, odont - ), tooth orthodontist odyn ( o ) - pain Greek ὀδύνη stomatodynia - oesophageal, oesophago - ( BrE ) gullet Greek οἰσοφάγος oesophagus - oid resemblance to Greek - οειδής Sarcoidosis ole small or little Latin olig ( o ) - Denoting something as ' having little, having few ' Ancient Greek ὀλίγος ( oligos ), few Oligotrophy om ( o ) - shoulder Ancient Greek ὠμός ( ōmos ), shoulder Omoplate - oma ( singular ), - omata ( plural ) tumor, mass, fluid collection Greek - ωμα Sarcoma, teratoma, Mesothelioma omphal ( o ) - Of or pertaining to the navel, the umbilicus Ancient Greek ὀμφαλός ( omphalós ), navel, belly - button Omphalotomy onco - tumor, bulk, volume Greek ὄγκος Oncology - one hormone onych ( o ) - Of or pertaining to the nail ( of a finger or toe ) Ancient Greek ὄνυξ, ὀνυχο - ( ónyx, ónycho - ), nail ; claw ; talon Onychophagy oo - Of or pertaining to an ( egg ), a woman 's egg, the ovum Ancient Greek ᾠόν, ᾠο - ( ōón, ōo - ), egg, ovum Oogenesis oophor ( o ) - Of or pertaining to the woman 's ( ovary ) Neoclassical Greek ᾠοφόρον ( ōophóron ), ovary, egg - bearing Oophorectomy ophthalm ( o ) - Of or pertaining to the ( eye ) Ancient Greek ὀφθαλμός ( ophthalmós ), the eye Ophthalmology opistho - back, behind, rear Greek roots, ὄπισθεν, opisthen meaning `` behind '' Opisthotonus - opsy Examination or inspection Ancient Greek ὄψις ( opsis ), sight Biopsy, autopsy optic ( o ) - Of or relating to chemical properties of the eye Middle French ( optique ) < Greek ὀπτικός ( optikós ) ; ώψ ( opsi ), vision. Cognate with Latin oculus, relating to the eye Opticochemical, biopsy or ( o ) - Of or pertaining to the mouth Latin ( ōs, or - ), mouth Oral - or one who doctor orchi ( o ) -, orchid ( o ) -, orch ( o ) - testis Greek ὀρχις ( orkhis, orkhi - ) Orchiectomy, orchidectomy orth ( o ) - Denoting something as straight or correct Ancient Greek ὀρθός ( orthós ), straight, correct, normal Orthodontist - osis a condition, disease or increase Greek - ωσις Harlequin type ichthyosis, psychosis, osteoporosis osse - bony Latin Osseous ossi - bone Latin Peripheral ossifying fibroma ost ( e ) -, oste ( o ) - bone Greek ὀστέον Osteoporosis, Osteoarthritis ot ( o ) - Of or pertaining to the ear Ancient Greek οὖς, ὠτ - ( ous, ōt - ), the ear Otology - ous pertaining to Latin - osus porous ovari ( o ) - Of or pertaining to the ovaries Latin ( ōvarium ), ovary Ovariectomy ovo -, ovi -, ov - Of or pertaining to the eggs, the ovum Latin ( ōvum ), egg, ovum Ovogenesis oxo - addition of oxygen Greek ὀξύς oxy - sharp, acid, acute, oxygen Greek ὀξύς ( oxus ) Oxytocin, oxygenated, oxycodone Affix Meaning Origin language and etymology Example ( s ) pachy - thick Greek παχύς pachyderma palpebr - Of or pertaining to the eyelid ( uncommon as a root ) Latin ( palpebra ), eyelid palpebra pan -, pant ( o ) - Denoting something as ' complete ' or containing ' everything ' ; `` all '' Ancient Greek πᾶς, παν - ( pas, pan - ), all, every panophobia, panopticon, pancytopenia ( deficiency in ' ALL ' blood cell types - erythrocytes, leukocytes, thrombocytes ) papill - Of or pertaining to the nipple ( of the chest / breast ) Latin ( papilla ), nipple ; diminutive of papula ( see below ) papillitis papul ( o ) - Indicates papulosity, a small elevation or swelling in the skin, a pimple, swelling Latin ( papula ), pimple, pustle ; a small elevation or swelling in the skin papulation para - alongside of Ancient Greek παρά ( para ) paracyesis - paresis slight paralysis Greek πάρεσις hemiparesis parvo - small Latin parvus Parvovirus path ( o ) - disease Greek πάθος Pathology - pathy Denotes ( with a negative sense ) a disease, or disorder Ancient Greek πάθος ( pathos ), suffering, accident sociopathy, neuropathy pauci - Few Latin paucus Pauci - immune pector - breast or chest Latin pectus pectoralgia, pectoriloquy, pectorophony ped -, - ped -, - pes Of or pertaining to the foot ; - footed Latin pēs, pēd -, foot Pedoscope ped -, pedo - Of or pertaining to the child Ancient Greek παιδός, child pediatrics. pedophilia pelv ( i ) -, pelv ( o ) - hip bone Latin Pelvis - penia deficiency Greek πενία osteopenia peo - Of or pertaining to the penis Greek πέος ( peos ) Peotomy - pepsia Denotes something relating to digestion, or the digestive tract. Ancient Greek πεπτός ( peptós ) cooked, digested < πέσσω ( péssō ) I boil, cook ; digest Dyspepsia per - through Latin percutaneous peri - Denoting something with a position ' surrounding ' or ' around ' another Ancient Greek περί ( peri ), around Periodontal - pexy fixation Greek πῆξις Nephropexy phaco - lens - shaped Greek φακός phacolysis, phacometer, phacoscotoma - phage, - phagia Forms terms denoting conditions relating to eating or ingestion Ancient Greek φαγία ( phagía ) eating < φαγεῖν ( phagein ) to eat Sarcophagia - phago - eating, devouring Greek - φάγος phagocyte phagist - Forms nouns that denote a person who ' feeds on ' the first element or part of the word Ancient Greek φαγιστής ( phagistēs ) eater ; see - phagia Lotophagi - phagy Forms nouns that denotes ' feeding on ' the first element or part of the word Ancient Greek φαγία ( phagia ) eating ; see - phagia hematophagy phall - phallus Greek φαλλός ( phallos ) Aphallia pharmac - drug, medication Greek φάρμακον pharmacology pharyng - Of or pertaining to the pharynx, the upper throat cavity Ancient Greek φάρυγξ, φαρυγγ - ( phárynx, pháryng - ), throat, windpipe ; chasm pharyngitis, pharyngoscopy - phil ( ia ) attraction for Greek φιλία hemophilia phleb - Of or pertaining to the ( blood ) veins, a vein Ancient Greek φλέψ, φλεβ - ( phleps, phlebo - ), blood - vessel, vein phlebography, phlebotomy - phobia exaggerated fear, sensitivity, aversion Greek φόβος arachnophobia phon - sound Greek φωνή phonograph, symphony phos - Of or pertaining to light or its chemical properties, now historic and used rarely. See the common root phot - below. Ancient Greek φῶς, φωτ - ( phōs, phōt - ), light phosphene phot - Of or pertaining to light Ancient Greek φῶς, φωτ - ( phōs, phōt - ), light photopathy phren -, phrenic - the mind Greek φρήν, φρεν - phrenic nerve, schizophrenia phyllo - leaf - like phyllodes tumour phyt - to grow hydrophyte pia - soft pia mater piri - Pear Latin pirum, pear Piriformis muscle - plasia formation, development Greek πλάσις Achondroplasia - plasty surgical repair, reconstruction Greek πλαστός rhinoplasty - plegia paralysis Greek πληγή paraplegia pleio - more, excessive, multiple Greek pleion pleiomorphism pleur - Of or pertaining to the ribs Latin ( pleura ) from Ancient Greek πλευρόν ( pleurón ), rib, side of the body Pleurogenous - plexy stroke or seizure Greek πλῆξις Cataplexy pne -, pneum - air, breath, lung Ancient Greek πνεῖν ( pneîn ), πνεῦμα, πνεύματος ( pneûma ), πνεύμων ( pneúmōn ) apnea, pneumatology, pneumonocyte, pneumonia pod -, - pod -, - pus Of or pertaining to the foot, - footed Ancient Greek πούς, ποδ - ( poús, pod - ), foot podiatry - poiesis production hematopoiesis polio - Denoting a grey color Ancient Greek πολιός ( poliós ), `` grey '' poliomyelitis poly - Denotes a ' plurality ' of something Ancient Greek πολυς ( polys ), `` much, many '' polymyositis por - pore, porous πόρος ( póros ) pore porphyr - Denotes a purple color Ancient Greek πορπύρα ( porphýra ), `` purple '' porphyroblast post - Denotes something as ' after ' or ' behind ' another Latin ( post ), after, behind postoperation, postmortem pre - Denotes something as ' before ' another ( in ( physical ) position or time ) Medieval Latin ( pre - ) < ( Classical ) Latin ( præ ), before, in front of premature birth presby - old age Greek presbyopia, presbycusis prim - Denotes something as ' first ' or ' most - important ' Latin prīmus, first, most important primary pro - Denotes something as ' before ' another ( in ( physical ) position or time ) Ancient Greek προ ( pro ), before, in front of procephalic proct - anus, rectum proctology prosop - face Greek ( prosopon ), face, mask prosopagnosia prot - Denotes something as ' first ' or ' most important ' Ancient Greek πρωτος ( prōtos ), first ; principal, most important protoneuron pseud - Denotes something false or fake Ancient Greek pseudoephedrine psor - Itching psoriasis psych - Of or pertaining to the mind Ancient Greek ψυχή ( psyché ), breath, life, soul psychology, psychiatry pterygo - Pertaining to a wing Greek lateral pterygoid plate - ptosis falling, drooping, downward placement, prolapse apoptosis, nephroptosis - ptysis spitting Greek hemoptysis, the spitting of blood derived from the lungs or bronchial tubes pulmon -, pulmo - Of or relating to the lungs Latin ( pulmo, pulmōn -, usually used in plural ), a lung pulmonary py - pus Greek πύον pyometra pyel - pelvis Ancient Greek ( pyelos ) pyelonephritis pykno - to thicken ( as the nucleus does in early stages of cell death ) Greek πυκνωνω, to thicken or condense pyknosis pylor - gate Greek pyloric sphincter pyr - fever Greek πῦρ, πυρετός antipyretic Q Affix Meaning Origin language and etymology Example ( s ) quadr ( i ) - four Latin quadriceps Affix Meaning Origin language and etymology Example ( s ) radi - radiation Latin radiowave radic - referring to the beginning, or the root, of a structure, usually a nerve or a vein Latin ( radix ) root radiculopathy re - again, back Latin relapse rect - rectum Latin rectal, rectum ren - Of or pertaining to the kidney Latin ( rēnes ), kidney renal reticul ( o ) - net Latin reticulocyte retro - backward, behind Latin retroversion, retroverted rhabd ( o ) - rod shaped, striated Greek ῥάβδος rhabdomyolysis rhachi ( o ) - spine Greek ῥάχις rachial, rachialgia, rachidian, rachiopathy rhin ( o ) - Of or pertaining to the nose Ancient Greek ῥίς, ῥῑνο - ( rhīs, rhīno - ), nose rhinoceros, rhinoplasty rhod ( o ) - Denoting a rose - red color Ancient Greek ῥόδον ( rhódon ), rose rhodophyte - rrhage burst forth Greek - ρραγία Hemorrhage - rrhagia rapid flow of blood Greek - ρραγία menorrhagia - rrhaphy surgical suturing Greek ῥαφή neurorrhaphy - rrhea ( AmE ) flowing, discharge Greek - ρροια Galactorrhea, Diarrhea - rrhexis rupture Greek ῥῆξις Karyorrhexis - rrhoea ( BrE ) flowing, discharge Greek - ρροια diarrhoea rubr ( o ) - Of or pertaining to the red nucleus of the brain Latin ( ruber ), red Rubrospinal - rupt Break or burst Latin Erupt, Interrupt Affix Meaning Origin language and etymology Example ( s ) salping ( o ) - Of or pertaining to tubes e.g. fallopian tubes Ancient Greek σάλπιγξ, σαλπιγγ -, ( sálpinx, salpingo - ) trumpet ( literally ) Salpingectomy, salpingopharyngeus muscle sangui -, sanguine - Of or pertaining to blood Latin ( sanguis, sanguin - ), blood Sanguine sarco - muscular, fleshlike Greek σάρξ, σαρκ - sarcoma, sarcoidosis schist ( o ) - split, cleft Greek σχιστός ( schistos ) schistocyte schiz ( o ) - Denoting something ' split ' or ' double - sided ' Ancient Greek σχιζω ; irregular formation of the verb σχίζειν ( schizein ), to cut, split Schizophrenia scler ( o ) - hard Greek σκληρός Scleroderma - sclerosis hardening Greek σκλήρωσις Atherosclerosis, multiple sclerosis scoli ( o ) - twisted Greek σκολιός ( skolios ) scoliosis - scope instrument for viewing Greek - σκόπος stethoscope - scopy use of instrument for viewing Greek - σκοπία endoscopy scoto - darkness Greek σκότος ( skotos ) scotopic vision semi - one - half, partly Latin semiconscious sial ( o ) - saliva, salivary gland Greek σίαλος ( sialos ) sialagogue sigmoid ( o ) - sigmoid, S - shaped curvature Greek σιγμοειδής sigmoid colon sinistr ( o ) - left, left side Latin sinus - Of or pertaining to the sinus Latin ( sinus ), a curve, bend, bay Sinusitis sito - food, grain Greek σῖτος ( sitos ) Sitophobia somat ( o ) -, somatico - body, bodily Greek σῶμα ( sōma ) somatic somn ( o ) Sleep insomniac - spadias slit, fissure Greek σπάδων hypospadias, epispadias spasmo - spasm Greek σπασμός Spasmodic dysphonia sperma -, spermo -, spermato - semen, spermatozoa Greek σπέρμα ( sperma ) Spermatogenesis splanchn ( i ) -, splanchn ( o ) - viscera Greek σπλάγχνον splanchnology splen ( o ) - spleen Greek σπλήν, σπλην - Splenectomy spondyl ( o ) - Of or pertaining to the spine, the vertebra Greek σπόνδυλος / σφόνδυλος, ( spóndylos, sphóndylos ), the spine Spondylitis squamos ( o ) - Denoting something as ' full of scales ' or ' scaly ' Latin sqāmōsus, full of scales ; scaly Squamous cell - stalsis contraction Greek στάλσις Peristalsis - stasis stopping, standing Greek στάσις Cytostasis, homeostasis - staxis dripping, trickling Greek στάξις, στακτός sten ( o ) - Denoting something as ' narrow in shape ' or pertaining to narrowness Ancient Greek στενός ( stenos ) ; narrow, short Stenography - stenosis abnormal narrowing in a blood vessel or other tubular organ or structure Ancient Greek στένωσις ( stenōsis ) restenosis, stenosis steth - Of or pertaining to the upper chest, chest, the area above the breast and under the neck Ancient Greek στῆθος ( stēthos ), chest, cuirass stethoscope stheno - strength, force, power Greek σθένος stom -, stomat - Of or pertaining to the mouth ; an artificially created opening Ancient Greek στόμα, στοματ - ( stóma, stomat - ), `` mouth '' stomatogastric, stomatognathic system - stomy creation of an opening Greek - στομία colostomy sub - beneath, under Latin subcutaneous tissue super - in excess, above, superior Latin superior vena cava supra - above, excessive Latin supraorbital vein sy, syl -, sym -, syn -, sys - Indicates similarity, likeness, or being together ; assimilates before some consonants : before l to syl -, s to sys -, before a labial consonant to sym -. Ancient Greek συν - ( syn ), with, together symptom, synalgia, synesthesia, syssarcosis Affix Meaning Origin language and etymology Example ( s ) tachy - Denoting something as fast, irregularly fast Ancient Greek ταχύς ( tachys ), fast, quickly tachycardia - tension, - tensive pressure Latin Hypertension terato - Monster Ancient Greek teras ( s ) terata ( pl ) teratoma, teratogen tetan - rigid, tense Ancient Greek tetanos tetanus thec - case, sheath Ancient Greek θήκη ( thēkē ) Intrathecal thel - Of or pertaining to a nipple ( uncommon as a prefix ) Ancient Greek θηλή ( thēlē ), a teat, nipple Theleplasty, thelarche thely - Denoting something as ' relating to a woman, feminine ' Ancient Greek θῆλυς ( thēlys ), female, feminine Thelygenous therap - treatment Ancient Greek ( therapeía ) hydrotherapy, therapeutic therm ( o ) - heat Ancient Greek θερμός ( thermós ) Hypothermia thorac ( i ) -, thorac ( o ) -, thoracico - Of or pertaining to the upper chest, chest ; the area above the breast and under the neck Latin ( thōrāx ) < Ancient Greek θώραξ ( thōrax ), chest, cuirass thoracic, thorax thromb ( o ) - Of or relating to a blood clot, clotting of blood Ancient Greek θρόμβος ( thrómbos ), lump, piece, clot of blood Thrombus, thrombocytopenia thyr ( o ) - thyroid Greek θυρεο - ειδής thym - emotions Greek : `` thymos '', spirit, soul ; courage ; breath, mind, emotions dysthymia - tic pertaining to Greek - τικός toco - childbirth Greek τόκος - tome cutting instrument Greek τομή ( tomē ) - tomy act of cutting ; incising, incision Greek - τομία Gastrotomy ton - tone, tension, pressure Greek τόνος ( tonos ) - tony tension Greek - τονία top ( o ) - place, topical Greek τόπος ( topos ) Topical anesthetic tort ( i ) - twisted Latin tortus Torticollis tox ( i ) -, tox ( o ) -, toxic ( o ) - toxin, poison Greek τοξικόν Toxoplasmosis trache ( a ) - trachea Greek τραχεία Tracheotomy trachel ( o ) - Of or pertaining to the neck Ancient Greek τράχηλος ( tráchēlos ), neck tracheloplasty trans - Denoting something as moving or situated across or through Latin trāns, `` across, through '' Transfusion tri - three Latin triangle, triceps trich ( i ) -, trichia, trich ( o ) - Of or pertaining to hair, hair - like structure Ancient Greek θρίξ, τριχ ( ο ) - ( thríx, trich ( o ) - ), hair Trichocyst - tripsy crushing Greek τρίψις Lithotripsy - trophy nourishment, development Greek - τροφία, τροφή Pseudohypertrophy tympan ( o ) - eardrum Greek τύμπανον Tympanocentesis U Affix Meaning Origin language and etymology Example ( s ) - ula, - ule small Latin Nodule ultra - beyond, excessive Latin ultra Ultrasound, ultraviolet umbilic - Of or pertaining to the navel, the umbilicus Latin umbilīcus, navel, belly - button Umbilical ungui - Of or pertaining to the nail, a claw Latin unguis, nail, claw Unguiform, Ungual un ( i ) - one Latin unus Unilateral hearing loss ur - Of or pertaining to urine, the urinary system Greek οὐρεῖν ( oureîn ) ; οὖρον ( oûron ), urine ; οὐρητήρ ( ourētḗr ) ; οὐρήθρα ( ourḗthra ) antidiuretic, diuresis, diuretic, dysuria, enuresis, polyurea, polyuria, uraemia / uremia, uremic, ureter, urethra, urology uric - uric acid Greek οὐρικός urin - Of or pertaining to urine, the urinary system Latin ūrīna, urine < Ancient Greek ουρον ( ouron ), see above. Uriniferous uter ( o ) - Of or pertaining to the uterus or womb Latin ( uterus ), womb, uterus Uterus V Affix Meaning Origin language and etymology Example ( s ) vagin - Of or pertaining to the vagina Latin ( vāgīna ), sheath, scabbard Vagina varic ( o ) - swollen or twisted vein Latin varix varicose vas ( o ) - duct, blood vessel Latin vasoconstriction vasculo - blood vessel Latin vāsculum ven - Of or pertaining to the veins, venous blood, and the vascular system Latin ( vēna ), blood - vessel, vein Venule, Venospasm ventr ( o ) - Of or pertaining to the belly ; the stomach cavities Latin ( venter ), the belly, the stomach ; the womb Ventrodorsal ventricul ( o ) - Of or pertaining to the ventricles ; any hollow region inside an organ Latin ( venter ), the ventricles of the heart, the ventricles of the brain Cardiac ventriculography - version turning Latin versiō anteversion, retroversion vesic ( o ) - Of or pertaining to the bladder Latin ( vēsīca ), bladder ; blister vesical arteries viscer ( o ) - Of or pertaining to the internal organs, the viscera Latin ( viscus, pl. viscera ), internal organ ( s ) Viscera X Affix Meaning Origin language and etymology Example ( s ) xanth ( o ) - Denoting a yellow color, an abnormally yellow color Greek ξανθός ( xanthós ), yellow Xanthopathy xen ( o ) - Foreign, different Greek ξένος ( xénos ), stranger Xenograft xer ( o ) - dry, desert - like Greek ξηρός ( xērós ), dry Xerostomia, xeroderma xiph - sword Greek ξίφος ( xíphos ), sword xiphisternum, xiphoid, xiphoidalgia Y Affix Meaning Origin language and etymology Example ( s ) - y condition or process of Latin - ia < Greek - ία Surgery Z Affix Meaning Origin language and etymology Example ( s ) zo ( o ) - animal, animal life Greek ζῷον zoology zym ( o ) - fermentation Greek ζύμη enzyme, lysozyme English meanings This section contains lists of different root classification ( e.g. body components, quantity, description, etc. ). Each list is alphabetized by English meanings, with the corresponding Greek and Latin roots given. Roots of the body Roots of bodily concepts Bodily concept Greek root in English Latin root in English Other root in English Digestion - pepsia - - Disease - pathy - - Eating - phagia - vory - Roots of body parts and components ( Internal anatomy, external anatomy, body fluids, body substances ) Body part or component Greek root Latin root Other root abdomen lapar - abdomin - - aorta aort ( o ) - aort ( o ) - - arm brachi - arm - - armpit maschal - axill - - artery arteri - -- - back not - dors - - big toe -- allic -, hallic - - bladder cyst - vesic - - blood haemat -, hemat - ( haem -, hem - ) sangui -, sanguin - - blood clot thromb - -- - blood vessel angi - vas -, vascul - - body somat -, som - corpor - - bone oste - ossi - - bone marrow, marrow myel - medull - - brain encephal ( o ) - cerebr - - breast mast - mamm ( o ) - - chest steth - pector - - cheek parei - bucc - - ear ot ( o ) - aur ( i ) - - eggs, ova oo - ov - - eye ophthalm ( o ) - ocul ( o ) - optic ( o ) - ( French ) eyelid blephar ( o ) - cili -, palpebr - - face prosop ( o ) - faci ( o ) - - fallopian tubes salping ( o ) - -- - fat, fatty tissue lip ( o ) - adip - - finger dactyl ( o ) - digit - - forehead - front ( o ) - - gallbladder cholecyst ( o ) - fell - - genitals, sexually undifferentiated gon ( o ) -, phall ( o ) - - - gland aden ( o ) - - - glans penis or clitoridis balan ( o ) - - - gums - gingiv - - hair trich ( o ) - capill - - hand cheir ( o ) -, chir ( o ) - manu - - head cephal ( o ) - capit ( o ) - - heart cardi ( o ) - cordi - - hip, hip - joint - cox - - horn cerat ( o ) - cornu - - intestine enter ( o ) - - - jaw gnath ( o ) - - - kidney nephr ( o ) - ren - - knee gon - genu - - lip cheil ( o ) -, chil ( o ) - labi ( o ) - - liver hepat ( o ) -, ( hepatic - ) jecor - - loins, pubic region episi ( o ) - pudend - - lungs pneumon - pulmon ( i ) -, ( pulmo - ) - marrow, bone marrow myel ( o ) - medull - - mind psych - ment - - mouth stomat ( o ) - or - - muscle my ( o ) - - - nail onych ( o ) - ungui - - navel omphal ( o ) - umbilic - - neck trachel ( o ) - cervic - - nerve ; the nervous system neur ( o ) - nerv - - nipple, teat thele - papill -, mammill - - nose rhin ( o ) - nas - - ovary oophor ( o ) - ovari ( o ) - - pelvis pyel ( o ) - pelv ( i ) - - penis pe ( o ) - - - pupil ( of the eye ) cor -, core -, coro - - - rib pleur ( o ) - cost ( o ) - - rib cage thorac ( i ) -, thorac ( o ) - - - shoulder om ( o ) - humer ( o ) - - sinus - sinus - - skin dermat ( o ) -, ( derm - ) cut -, cuticul - - skull crani ( o ) - - - stomach gastr ( o ) - ventr ( o ) - -- testis orchi ( o ) -, orchid ( o ) - - -- throat ( upper throat cavity ) pharyng ( o ) - - -- throat ( lower throat cavity / voice box ) ) laryng ( o ) - - -- thumb - pollic - -- tooth odont ( o ) - dent ( i ) - -- tongue gloss -, glott - lingu ( a ) - -- toe dactyl ( o ) - digit - -- tumour cel -, onc ( o ) - tum - -- ureter ureter ( o ) - ureter ( o ) - -- urethra urethr ( o ) -, urethr ( a ) - urethr ( o ) -, urethr ( a ) - -- urine, urinary system ur ( o ) - urin ( o ) - -- uterine tubes salping ( o ) - salping ( o ) - -- uterus hyster ( o ) -, metr ( o ) - uter ( o ) - -- vagina colp ( o ) - vagin - -- vein phleb ( o ) - ven - -- vulva episi ( o ) - vulv - -- womb hyster ( o ) -, metr ( o ) - uter ( o ) - -- wrist carp ( o ) - carp ( o ) - -- Roots of color Color Greek root in English Latin root in English Other root black melan - atr -, nigr - -- blue cyan - cerule - -- gold chrys - aur - -- gray, grey poli - can - -- green chlor - vir - -- purple porphyr - purpur -, purpureo - -- red erythr -, rhod - rub -, rubr -, ruf - -- red - orange cirrh - -- -- silver -- argent - -- white leuc -, leuk - alb -, cand - -- yellow xanth - flav - jaun - ( French ) Roots of description ( Size, shape, strength, etc. ) Description Greek root in English Latin root in English Other root bad, incorrect cac -, dys - mal - mis - bent, crooked ankyl - prav - -- big mega -, megal ( o ) - magn ( i ) - -- biggest megist - maxim - -- broad, wide eury - lat ( i ) - -- cold cry ( o ) - frig ( i ) - -- dead necr ( o ) - mort - -- equal is ( o ) - equ ( i ) - -- false pseud ( o ) - fals ( i ) - -- female, feminine thely - - -- flat platy - plan ( i ) - -- good, well eu - ben ( e ) -, bon ( i ) - -- great mega -, megal ( o ) - magn ( i ) - -- hard scler ( o ) - dur ( i ) - -- heavy bar ( o ) - grav ( i ) - -- hollow coel ( o ) - cav ( i ) - -- huge megal ( o ) - magn ( i ) - -- incorrect, bad cac ( o ) -, dys - mal ( e ) - mis - irregular poikil ( o ) -- -- large ; extremely large mega - magn ( i ) - -- largest megist - maxim - -- long macr ( o ) - long ( i ) - -- male, masculine arseno - vir - -- narrow sten ( o ) - angust ( i ) - -- new ne ( o ) - nov ( i ) - -- normal, correct orth ( o ) - rect ( i ) - -- old paleo - veter - -- sharp oxy - ac - -- short brachy - brev ( i ) - -- small micr ( o ) - parv ( i ) - ( rare ) -- smallest - minim - -- slow brady - tard ( i ) - -- fast tachy - celer - -- soft malac ( o ) - moll ( i ) - -- straight orth ( o ) - rect ( i ) - -- thick pachy - crass ( i ) - -- varied, various poikilo - vari - -- well, good eu - ben ( e ) - -- wide, broad eury - lat ( i ) - -- Roots of position Description Greek root in English Latin root in English Other root around, surrounding peri - circum - -- left levo - laev -, sinistr - -- middle mes - medi - -- right dexi - dextr - -- Prefixes of quantity or amount Description Greek root in English Latin root in English Other root double diplo - dupli - -- equal iso - equi - -- few oligo - pauci - -- half hemi - semi - demi - ( French ) many, much poly - multi - -- twice dis - bis - -- See also Classical compound International scientific vocabulary List of medical abbreviations Medical dictionary Medicine References Jump up ^ ἀκούω Jump up ^ `` Latin Word Study Tool ''. Tufts.edu. Retrieved 25 February 2017. Jump up ^ κάρυον. Liddell, Henry George ; Scott, Robert ; A Greek -- English Lexicon at the Perseus Project Jump up ^ κέρας in Liddell and Scott Jump up ^ κινέω in Liddell and Scott Jump up ^ κοῖλος in Liddell and Scott Jump up ^ κύπτω in Liddell and Scott Jump up ^ http://www.dictionary.com/browse/opistho - Jump up ^ Opisthotonus Jump up ^ http://www.memidex.com/opisthotonus Jump up ^ The Language of Medicine, 11th edition, Davi - Ellen Chabner Jump up ^ Stedman 's Online Jump up ^ The Language of Medicine 11th Edition, Davi - Ellen Chabner Jump up ^ Stanfield, Peggy S. ; Hui, Y.H. ; Cross, Nanna ( 30 September 2013 ). `` Essential Medical Terminology ''. Jones & Bartlett Learning. Retrieved 25 February 2017 -- via Amazon. Bibliography `` Root Words : Quick Reference. '' LearnThatWord. N.p., n.d. Web. 3 March 2013. Retrieved from `` https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=List_of_medical_roots,_suffixes_and_prefixes&oldid=832352826 '' Categories : Medical terminology Medical lists Word coinage Hidden categories : Articles containing Ancient Greek - language text Articles needing additional references from September 2017 All articles needing additional references All articles lacking reliable references Articles lacking reliable references from February 2018 Talk Contents About Wikipedia فارسی தமிழ் Edit links This page was last edited on 25 March 2018, at 13 : 33. Text is available under the Creative Commons Attribution - ShareAlike License ; additional terms may apply. By using this site, you agree to the Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. Wikipedia ® is a registered trademark of the Wikimedia Foundation, Inc., a non-profit organization. About Wikipedia

Question: what does the prefix re mean in medical terminology
Answer: again, back