Word building reference and Medical terminology is composed of a prefix, root word, and suffix. It is used to precisely describe the human body components, processes, illnesses, medical procedures, and pharmacology. Medical terminology A is used in the field of medicine, and clinical settings. This section shows the building of several medical words beginning with the letter A.
| Prefix: Prefix Definition: 1st Root Word: abdomin/o 1st Root Definition: abdomen 2nd Root Word: 2nd Root Word Definition: Suffix: -al Suffix Definition: pertaining to Definition: pertaining to the abdomen |
| Prefix: ab- Prefix Definition: away from 1st Root Word: duct/o 1st Root Definition: to lead; carry 2nd Root Word: 2nd Root Word Definition: Suffix: -ion Suffix Definition: process Definition: process of leading or carrying away from |
| Prefix: ab- Prefix Definition: away from 1st Root Word: norm/o 1st Root Definition: rule; order 2nd Root Word: 2nd Root Word Definition: Suffix: -al Suffix Definition: pertaining to Definition: pertaining to rule; order being away from |
| Prefix: Prefix Definition: 1st Root Word: acanth/o 1st Root Definition: spiny thorny 2nd Root Word: 2nd Root Word Definition: Suffix: -oma Suffix Definition: tumor; mass; fluid collection Definition: tumor; mass being spiny; thorny |
| Prefix: a- Prefix Definition: no; not; without 1st Root Word: chondr/o 1st Root Definition: cartilage 2nd Root Word: 2nd Root Word Definition: Suffix: -plasia Suffix Definition: development; formation Definition: no development; formation of cartilage |
| Prefix: Prefix Definition: 1st Root Word: acoust/o 1st Root Definition: hearing; sound 2nd Root Word: 2nd Root Word Definition: Suffix: -meter Suffix Definition: measure Definition: measuring hearing; sound |
| Prefix: Prefix Definition: 1st Root Word: acr/o 1st Root Definition: extremities; top; extreme point 2nd Root Word: 2nd Root Word Definition: Suffix: -megaly Suffix Definition: enlargement Definition: enlargement of the extremities |
| Prefix: ad- Prefix Definition: toward 1st Root Word: duct/o 1st Root Definition: to lead; carry 2nd Root Word: 2nd Root Word Definition: Suffix: -ion Suffix Definition: process Definition: process of leading; carrying toward something |
| Prefix: Prefix Definition: 1st Root Word: aden/o 1st Root Definition: gland 2nd Root Word: carcin/o 2nd Root Word Definition: cancerous; cancer Suffix: -oma Suffix Definition: tumor; mass; fluid collection Definition: cancerous tumor originating from glandular tissue |
| Prefix: Prefix Definition: 1st Root Word: aden/o 1st Root Definition: gland 2nd Root Word: hypophys/o 2nd Root Word Definition: pituitary gland Suffix: -eal Suffix Definition: pertaining to Definition: pertaining to the pituitary gland |
| Prefix: Prefix Definition: 1st Root Word: aden/o 1st Root Definition: gland 2nd Root Word: 2nd Root Word Definition: Suffix: -logy Suffix Definition: study (process of) Definition: process of studying glands |
| Prefix: Prefix Definition: 1st Root Word: aden/o 1st Root Definition: gland 2nd Root Word: 2nd Root Word Definition: Suffix: -oma Suffix Definition: tumor; mass; fluid collection Definition: benign tumor of epithelial tissue with glandular origin |
| Prefix: Prefix Definition: 1st Root Word: aden/o 1st Root Definition: gland 2nd Root Word: 2nd Root Word Definition: Suffix: -tome Suffix Definition: instrument to cut Definition: instrument used to cut glands |
| Prefix: Prefix Definition: 1st Root Word: adip/o 1st Root Definition: fat 2nd Root Word: 2nd Root Word Definition: Suffix: -cyte Suffix Definition: cell Definition: cells that store fat |
| Prefix: Prefix Definition: 1st Root Word: adren/o 1st Root Definition: adrenal gland 2nd Root Word: 2nd Root Word Definition: Suffix: -al Suffix Definition: pertaining to Definition: pertaining to the adrenal gland |
| Prefix: Prefix Definition: 1st Root Word: aer/o 1st Root Definition: air 2nd Root Word: sinus/o 2nd Root Word Definition: sinus Suffix: -itis Suffix Definition: inflammation Definition: inflammation of the sinus due to difference in air pressure |
| Prefix: a- Prefix Definition: no; not; without 1st Root Word: 1st Root Definition: 2nd Root Word: 2nd Root Word Definition: Suffix: -geusia Suffix Definition: taste Definition: without; no taste |
| Prefix: Prefix Definition: 1st Root Word: all/o 1st Root Definition: other 2nd Root Word: 2nd Root Word Definition: Suffix: -pathy Suffix Definition: disease; emotion Definition: uses other practices to cure diseases |
| Prefix: ambi- Prefix Definition: around; on both sides; about 1st Root Word: dextr/o 1st Root Definition: right 2nd Root Word: 2nd Root Word Definition: Suffix: -ous Suffix Definition: pertaining to Definition: pertaining to the use of both right and left hands equally |
| Prefix: a- Prefix Definition: no; not; without 1st Root Word: 1st Root Definition: 2nd Root Word: 2nd Root Word Definition: Suffix: -mnesia Suffix Definition: memory Definition: no memory |
| Prefix: Prefix Definition: 1st Root Word: amni/o 1st Root Definition: amnion (sac surrounding the embryo) 2nd Root Word: 2nd Root Word Definition: Suffix: -centesis Suffix Definition: surgical puncture to remove fluid Definition: surgical puncture to remove fluid from the amnion |
| Prefix: Prefix Definition: 1st Root Word: amyl/o 1st Root Definition: starch 2nd Root Word: 2nd Root Word Definition: Suffix: -ase Suffix Definition: enzyme Definition: enzyme that turns starch into sugar |
| Prefix: Prefix Definition: 1st Root Word: amyl/o 1st Root Definition: starch 2nd Root Word: 2nd Root Word Definition: Suffix: -phagia Suffix Definition: eating; swallowing Definition: abnormal condition of eating starch |
| Prefix: Prefix Definition: 1st Root Word: an/o 1st Root Definition: anus 2nd Root Word: 2nd Root Word Definition: Suffix: -al Suffix Definition: pertaining to Definition: pertaining to the anus |
| Prefix: an- Prefix Definition: no; not; without 1st Root Word: alges/o 1st Root Definition: sensitivity to pain 2nd Root Word: 2nd Root Word Definition: Suffix: -ia Suffix Definition: condition Definition: condition having no sensitivity to pain |
| Prefix: an- Prefix Definition: no; not; without 1st Root Word: alges/o 1st Root Definition: sensitivity to pain 2nd Root Word: 2nd Root Word Definition: Suffix: -ic Suffix Definition: pertaining to Definition: pertaining to no sensitivity to pain |
| Prefix: ana- Prefix Definition: up; apart; backward; again; anew 1st Root Word: 1st Root Definition: 2nd Root Word: 2nd Root Word Definition: Suffix: -plasia Suffix Definition: development; formation Definition: cell development; formation apart from other cells |
| Prefix: Prefix Definition: 1st Root Word: andr/o 1st Root Definition: male 2nd Root Word: 2nd Root Word Definition: Suffix: -gen Suffix Definition: substance that produces Definition: substance that produces male hormones |
| Prefix: an- Prefix Definition: no; not; without 1st Root Word: 1st Root Definition: 2nd Root Word: 2nd Root Word Definition: Suffix: -emia Suffix Definition: blood condition Definition: blood condition without or low red blood cells |
| Prefix: an- Prefix Definition: no; not; without 1st Root Word: 1st Root Definition: 2nd Root Word: 2nd Root Word Definition: Suffix: -emic Suffix Definition: pertaining to a blood condition Definition: pertaining to blood condition without or low red blood cells |
| Prefix: an- Prefix Definition: no; not; without 1st Root Word: 1st Root Definition: 2nd Root Word: 2nd Root Word Definition: Suffix: -esthesia Suffix Definition: nervous sensation Definition: no sensitivity to pain |
| Prefix: Prefix Definition: 1st Root Word: angi/o 1st Root Definition: vessel (blood) 2nd Root Word: 2nd Root Word Definition: Suffix: -gram Suffix Definition: record Definition: record of blood vessels |
| Prefix: Prefix Definition: 1st Root Word: angi/o 1st Root Definition: vessel (blood) 2nd Root Word: 2nd Root Word Definition: Suffix: -graphy Suffix Definition: process of recording Definition: process of recording blood vessels |
| Prefix: Prefix Definition: 1st Root Word: angi/o 1st Root Definition: vessel (blood) 2nd Root Word: 2nd Root Word Definition: Suffix: -rrhexis Suffix Definition: rupture Definition: rupture of a blood vessel |
| Prefix: Prefix Definition: 1st Root Word: anis/o 1st Root Definition: unequal 2nd Root Word: 2nd Root Word Definition: Suffix: -cytosis Suffix Definition: condition of cells; slight increase in numbers Definition: condition of red blood cells being unequal in size |
| Prefix: Prefix Definition: 1st Root Word: anis/o 1st Root Definition: unequal 2nd Root Word: 2nd Root Word Definition: Suffix: -tropic Suffix Definition: turning; changing Definition: unequal values when measured in different directions |
| Prefix: Prefix Definition: 1st Root Word: ankly/o 1st Root Definition: stiff 2nd Root Word: 2nd Root Word Definition: Suffix: -osis Suffix Definition: condition; usually abnormal Definition: abnormal stiffening (of a joint) |
| Prefix: ante- Prefix Definition: before; forward 1st Root Word: 1st Root Definition: 2nd Root Word: 2nd Root Word Definition: Suffix: -partum Suffix Definition: birth; labor Definition: before labor |
| Prefix: anti- Prefix Definition: against 1st Root Word: psych/o 1st Root Definition: mind 2nd Root Word: 2nd Root Word Definition: Suffix: -tic Suffix Definition: pertaining to Definition: pertaining to mind altering medication |
| Prefix: a- Prefix Definition: no; not; without 1st Root Word: phall/o 1st Root Definition: penis 2nd Root Word: 2nd Root Word Definition: Suffix: -ia Suffix Definition: condition Definition: condition of having no penis |
| Prefix: a- Prefix Definition: no; not; without 1st Root Word: 1st Root Definition: 2nd Root Word: 2nd Root Word Definition: Suffix: -phasia Suffix Definition: speech Definition: not being able to understand or express speech |
| Prefix: apo- Prefix Definition: off; away 1st Root Word: 1st Root Definition: 2nd Root Word: 2nd Root Word Definition: Suffix: -ptosis Suffix Definition: droop; sag; prolapse; protrude Definition: cells that prolapse away from organisms |
| Prefix: Prefix Definition: 1st Root Word: append/o 1st Root Definition: appendix 2nd Root Word: 2nd Root Word Definition: Suffix: -ectomy Suffix Definition: removal; excision; resection Definition: removal; excision; resection of the appendix |
| Prefix: Prefix Definition: 1st Root Word: arteri/o 1st Root Definition: artery 2nd Root Word: 2nd Root Word Definition: Suffix: -ole Suffix Definition: little; small Definition: small branch of an artery leading to capillaries |
| Prefix: Prefix Definition: 1st Root Word: arteri/o 1st Root Definition: artery 2nd Root Word: 2nd Root Word Definition: Suffix: -sclerosis Suffix Definition: hardening Definition: hardening of an artery |
| Prefix: Prefix Definition: 1st Root Word: ather/o 1st Root Definition: plaque (fatty substance) 2nd Root Word: 2nd Root Word Definition: Suffix: -sclerosis Suffix Definition: hardening Definition: deposits of plaques of fatty material on the inner walls of arteries |
| Prefix: Prefix Definition: 1st Root Word: arthr/o 1st Root Definition: joint 2nd Root Word: 2nd Root Word Definition: Suffix: -itis Suffix Definition: inflammation Definition: inflammation of a joint |
| Prefix: Prefix Definition: 1st Root Word: arthr/o 1st Root Definition: joint 2nd Root Word: 2nd Root Word Definition: Suffix: -centesis Suffix Definition: surgical puncture to remove fluid Definition: surgical puncture to remove fluid in a joint |
| Prefix: Prefix Definition: 1st Root Word: arthr/o 1st Root Definition: joint 2nd Root Word: 2nd Root Word Definition: Suffix: -desis Suffix Definition: to bind; tie together Definition: surgical immobilization of a joint by melding adjacent bones |
| Prefix: Prefix Definition: 1st Root Word: articul/o 1st Root Definition: joint 2nd Root Word: 2nd Root Word Definition: Suffix: -ation Suffix Definition: process; condition Definition: process; condition of being jointed |
| Prefix: Prefix Definition: 1st Root Word: arteri/o 1st Root Definition: artery 2nd Root Word: 2nd Root Word Definition: Suffix: -stenosis Suffix Definition: tightening; stricture Definition: narrowing the caliber of an artery |
| Prefix: Prefix Definition: 1st Root Word: atel/o 1st Root Definition: incomplete 2nd Root Word: cardi/o 2nd Root Word Definition: heart Suffix: -ia Suffix Definition: condition Definition: condition of an incomplete development of the heart |
| Prefix: Prefix Definition: 1st Root Word: atri/o 1st Root Definition: atrium (upper heart chamber) 2nd Root Word: ventricul/o 2nd Root Word Definition: ventricle (of heart or brain) Suffix: -ar Suffix Definition: pertaining to Definition: pertaining to the atrium and ventricle of the heart |
| Prefix: Prefix Definition: 1st Root Word: aur/o 1st Root Definition: ear 2nd Root Word: 2nd Root Word Definition: Suffix: -al Suffix Definition: pertaining to Definition: pertaining to the ear or sense of hearing |
| Prefix: auto- Prefix Definition: self; own 1st Root Word: immun/o 1st Root Definition: immune; protection; safe 2nd Root Word: 2nd Root Word Definition: Suffix: Suffix Definition: Definition: immune response of an organism against any of its own tissues or cells |
| Prefix: Prefix Definition: 1st Root Word: aux/o 1st Root Definition: growth; acceleration 2nd Root Word: cardi/o 2nd Root Word Definition: heart Suffix: -ia Suffix Definition: condition Definition: condition of an enlarged heart |
| Prefix: Prefix Definition: 1st Root Word: aux/o 1st Root Definition: growth; acceleration 2nd Root Word: 2nd Root Word Definition: Suffix: -logy Suffix Definition: study (process of) Definition: study of human growth |
| Prefix: Prefix Definition: 1st Root Word: axill/o 1st Root Definition: armpit 2nd Root Word: 2nd Root Word Definition: Suffix: -a Suffix Definition: pertaining to Definition: pertaining to the armpit |