1.1.4

Prefixes

a- or an-

without or lacking (ex: anorexia)

ab-

away from (ex: abduct)

ad-

toward or adjacent to (ex: adduct)

anti-

against, opposed, or inhibitive (ex: antihistamine)

arthr-

joint (ex: arthroscopy)

auto-

self (ex: autoimmune disease)

bi-

two (ex: biceps)

bio-

life (ex: biology)

carcin-

cancer or tumor (ex: carcinogen)

cardio-

heart (ex: cardiology)

cephal-

head (ex: encephalitis)

cerebro-

brain (ex: CVA or cerebrovascular accident)

chondr-

cartilage (ex: chondrogenesis)

circum-

around or round about (ex: circumcision)

co-

with or together (ex: cofactor)

contra-

against or in opposition to (ex: contraindication)

derm-

skin (ex: dermatologist)

di-

two (ex: disaccharide)

dys-

difficult or abnormal (ex: dyslexia)

ecto-

outside or external (ex: ectopic)

endo-

inside or within (ex: endocardium)

epi-

upon or above (ex: epidermis)

erythro-

red (ex: erythrocyte)

eu-

well, good, or true (ex: eukaryote)

ex-

out of or outside (ex: excretion)

glyco-

sweet or sugar (ex: glycogenolysis)

hemi-

half (ex: hemipalegia)

hepat-

liver (ex: hepatocyte)

hist-

tissue (ex: histology)

hydro-

water or liquid (ex: hydrocele)

hyper-

in excess (ex: hyperglycemia)

hypo-

below normal or under (ex: hypoglycemia)

infra-

beneath or underneath (ex: infrapatellar)

inter-

between (ex: interosseous)

intra-

within or inside of (ex: intramuscular)

iso-

equal (ex: isotope)

leuko-

white (ex: leukocytosis)

macro-

large (ex: macrophage)

melano-

black (ex: melanoma)

micro-

small (ex: microscope)

mono-

one (ex: monosaccharide)

multi-

many or multiple (ex: multicellular)

myo-

muscle (ex: myocardial infarction)

neo-

new (ex: neovascularization)

nephro-

kidney (ex: cystic nephron)

neuro-

nerve (ex: neuroglia)

oculo-

eye (ex: ocular)

odonto-

tooth (ex: orthodontist)

oligo-

deficient or few (ex: oligochromemia)

opthalm-

eye (ex: ophthalmology)

osteo-

bone (ex: osteoporosis)

oto-

ear (ex: otology)

para-

alongside or beyond (ex: parathyroid glands)

peri-

around (ex: pericardium)

physio-

related to nature, physical or physics (ex: physiologic)

pneumo-

air or gas; pertaining to the lungs (ex: pneumonia)

pod-

foot (ex: podiatrist)

poly-

many or much (ex: polysaccharide)

post-

behind or after (ex: post-traumatic)

pre- or pro-

prior to or in front of (ex: prehypertension)

pseudo-

false (ex: pseudostratified epithelium)

sarco

flesh (ex: sarcomere)

semi-

half or partially (ex: semi-permeable)

sclero-

Hard (ex: scleroderma)

somato-

body (ex: somatic)

steno-

narrow or close (ex: aortic stenosis)

sub-

below or under (ex: subclavian)

sym- or syn-

with or together (ex: symphysis pubis and synchondrosis)

tachy-

fast or rapid (ex: tachycardia)

trans-

across or through (ex: transcutaneous)

viscer-

pertaining to internal organs (ex: visceral fat)

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