Medical Terminology:

Root Words, Prefixes, and Suffixes

Smyrna Health Science

 Bellwork Set #1

Prefix/ Meaning Example Meaning of Other

Suffix Example Terms
1. a- Without Abiotic Non-living Asexual
Asym-
metrical
2. ab- Away from Abduct Take away; Abnormal
move away Abduction
3. Abdomin Abdomen Abdominal Pertaining to Abdomino-
the abdomen pelvic
4. ac, -al,- Pertaining to Coronary Pertaining to Median
an, -ar, -ary the heart Dermal
5. Acu Needle; Acupuncture Therapy Acute
sharp using needles Acupressure
 Bellwork Set #1

Prefix/ Meaning Example Meaning of Other

Suffix Example Terms
1. a- Abiotic Non-living Asexual
Asym-
metrical
2. ab- Abduct Take away; Abnormal
move away Abduction
3. Abdomin Abdominal Pertaining to Abdomino-
the abdomen pelvic
4. ac, -al,- Coronary Pertaining to Median
an, -ar, -ary the heart Dermal
5. Acu Acupuncture Therapy Acute
using needles Acupressure
 Bellwork Quiz

Prefix/ Meaning Example Meaning of Other

Suffix Example Terms
1. a-

2. ab-

3. Abdomin

4. ac, -al,-
an, -ar, -ary
5. Acu
 Bellwork Set #2
https://youtu.be/3fiEszFPRE8

Prefix/ Meaning Example Meaning of Other

Suffix Example Terms
6. ad-

7. Aden

8. Adip

9. aer-

10. Albin
 Bellwork Set #3

Prefix/ Meaning Example Meaning of Other

Suffix Example Terms
11. algesia

12. algia

13. Ambi

14. Amni

15. an-
 Bellwork Set #4

Prefix/ Meaning Example Meaning of Other

Suffix Example Terms
16. andr

17. Angi

18. ante-

19. antero-

20. anti-
 Bellwork Set #5

Prefix/ Meaning Example Meaning of Other

Suffix Example Terms
21. Arter

22. Arthr

23. auto-

24. Axill

25. bi-
 Bellwork Set Quiz

Prefix/ Meaning Example Meaning of Other

Suffix Example Terms
26. Bio

27. blast

28. Blephar

29. Brachi

30. brady-
 Bellwork Set #2
https://youtu.be/3fiEszFPRE8

Prefix/ Meaning Example Meaning of Other

Suffix Example Terms
6. ad- Toward Adduction Moving Adductor
toward the Advance
midline
7. Aden Gland Adenoma Tumor of a Adenoids
gland
8. Adip Fat Adipose Pertaining to Adipectomy
fat
9. aer- Air Aerobic Pertaining to Aerodynamic
air Aerospace
10. Albin White Albino Unpigmented Albinism
skin
 Bellwork Set #3

Prefix/ Meaning Example Meaning of Other

Suffix Example Terms
11. algesia Pain Analgesia Without pain Analgesic
perception
12. algia Pain Neuralgia Nerve Pain Myalgia

13. Ambi Both Ambidextrous Using both Ambiguous

hands
14. Amni Amnion Amniotic Pertaining to Amniocentesis
(sac covers the amnion
fetus)
15. an- Without Anaerobic Without air Anoxia
Anoxemica
Anarchy
 Bellwork Set #4

Prefix/ Meaning Example Meaning of Other

Suffix Example Terms
16. andr Male Androgen Male sex Android
hormone

17. Angi Vessel Angiogram X-ray of Angioplasty

blood vessels Angioma
18. ante- Before Antepartum Before birth Antecubital
Anteversion
19. antero- Before; in Anterior In front of Anterolateral
front of
20. anti- Against Antibiotic Works Antibody
against Antidepressant
micro- Antiseptic
organisms Antiviral
 Bellwork Set #5

Prefix/ Meaning Example Meaning of Other

Suffix Example Terms
21. Arter Artery Arteriole Small artery Artery
Arteriosclerosis
22. Arthr Joint Arthroscopy Joint Arthroplasty
examination Arthrocentesis
w/ a scope
23. auto- Self; own Autoimmune Attack of Autograph
ones own Autonomy
immunity Autobiography

24. Axill Armpit Axillary Pertaining to

the armpit
25. bi- Two Biceps Muscle with 2 Biped
origins Bicuspid
 PRACTICE EXERCISES

Bellwork Quiz over 1-25!!

1. Ambidextrous: using _____

both hands
2. Coronary: ____________
Pertaining to the heart
3. Neuralgia: Nerve _______
pain
4. Angiogram: X-ray of blood _______
vessels
5. Arthroscope: _____
joint exam using a
scope
 REVIEW NOW!!

Bellwork Quiz over 1-25

Next Class

Sample Questions:
An adenoma is a tumor of a ________.
GLAND
Androgens are _______
MALE sex hormones.

** Be prepared for T/F, MC, matching,

and fill-in-the-blank!
 BELL WORK A LIST TEST
LIST THE MEANING FOR EACH

1. Arthr
2. Arter
3. Aer

4. Ad
5. aden
6. Adip
7. Albin
8. anti
 ContList the meaning for each

9. -ac
10. an
11. -ary
12. acu
13. ab
14. Angi
15. algia
16. ambi
17. amni
 Bell Work A List Test-KEY
List the meaning for each

Arthr JOINT

Arter ARTERY

Aer AIR

Ad TOWARD

aden GLAND

adip FAT/TISSUE

albin WHITE

anti AGAINST
 KEY cont

ac PERTAINING TO

an PERTAINING TO/Without

ary PERTAINING TO

acu NEEDLE/SHARP

ab AWAY FROM

Angi VESSEL

algia PAIN

ambi BOTH

amni AMNIOTIC SAC COVERING F

 Bellwork Set #6

Prefix/ Meaning Example Meaning of Other

Suffix Example Terms
26. Bio Life Biology Study of Life Biosphere
Biofuel

27. blast Immature; Cytoblast Immature Osteoblast

embryonic Cell
28. Blephar Eyelid Blepharoplasty Surgically Blepharotomy
repair eyelid
29. Brachi Arm Brachial Pertaining to Brachiocephalic
the arm
30. brady- Slow Bradycardia Pertaining to Bradyarrhthmia
a slow Bradypnea
heartbeat
 Bellwork Set #6

Prefix/ Meaning Example Meaning of Other

Suffix Example Terms
26. Bio Life Biology Study of Life Biosphere
Biofuel

27. blast Immature; Cytoblast Immature Osteoblast

embryonic Cell
28. Blephar Eyelid Blepharoplasty Surgically Blepharotomy
repair eyelid
29. Brachi Arm Brachial Pertaining to Brachiocephalic
the arm
30. brady- Slow Bradycardia Pertaining to Bradyarrhthmia
a slow Bradypnea
heartbeat
 Bell Work Quiz

Prefix/ Meaning Example Meaning of Other

Suffix Example Terms
31. bronch

32. Bucc

33. Carcin

34. Cardi

35. Carp
 Bell work Set #7
write the words in RED
Write a sentence using each word example. Test is Friday!

Prefix/ Meaning Example Meaning of Other

Suffix Example Terms
31. bronch Bronchus Bronchial Pertaining to Bronchiole
the bronchi Bronchospasm

32. Bucc Cheek Buccal Pertaining to

the cheek

33. Carcin Cancer Carcinogen Cancer- Carcinogenic

causing agent

34. Cardi Heart Cardiogram Record of Cardiovascular

Heart activity Cardiac
Cardiopulmonary

35. Carp Wrist Carpal Pertaining to Carpal Tunnel

the wrist
 Bellwork Set #8
Prefix/ Meaning Example Meaning of Other
Suffix Example Terms
36. Caud Tail Caudal Pertaining to Cauda equina
the tail

37. cele Protrusio Hydrocele Water-filled

Omphalocele
n protrusion

38. Puncture Amniocente Withdrawal Arthrocentesis

centesis to sis of fluid from
the amnion
withdraw
fluid
39. Head Cephalic Pertaining to Brachiocephalic
the head Cephalothoracic
Cephal
40. Brain Cerebrum Pertaining to Cerebral
Cerebro-
Cerebr the brain
sclerosis
 Bellwork Set #9

Prefix/ Meaning Example Meaning of Other

Suffix Example Terms
41. Cervic Neck Cervical Pertaining to Cervicoplasty
the neck Cervicoccipital

42. Chem Chemical; Chemotherapy Drug Chemiosmosis

drug Treatment Chemistry
43. Chlor Green Chlorine Green tinted Chlorophyll
gas Chloroseptic
44. Gallbladder Chole- Removal of Cholecystitis
Cholecyst cystectomy the Cholecysostomy
gallbladder

45. Chondr Cartilage Chondrocyte Cartilage cell Chondroitin

Chondroplasty
 Bellwork Set #8 Quiz 10/21/16
Prefix/ Write the
Suffix meaning only
36. Caud

37. cele

38. centesis

39. Cephal

40. Cerebr
 Bellwork Set #9 Quiz
Prefix/ Write the
Suffix Meaning

41. Cervic

42. Chem

43. Chlor

44. Cholecyst

45. Chondr
 Bellwork Set #10

Prefix/ Meaning Example Meaning of Other

Suffix Example Terms
46. Chrom Color Chromatic Pertaining to Chromosomes
color Chromatography
47. Chron Time Chronology Study of time Chronological
Chronic
48. cide To kill Suicide To kill ones Homocide
self Genocide
49. circum- Around Circumduction Movement of Circumference
a part in a Circumcision
circular Circumaxillary
pattern

50. Celi Abdomen Celiotomy Incision into Celitis

the abdomen Celiac Disease
 Bellwork Set #10 Write the meaning

Prefix/ Meaning Example Meaning of Other

Suffix Example Terms
46. Chrom Pertaining to Chromosomes
color Chromatography
47. Chron Study of time Chronological
Chronic
48. cide To kill ones Homocide
self Genocide
49. circum- Movement of Circumference
a part in a Circumcision
circular Circumaxillary
pattern

50. Celi Incision into Celitis

the abdomen Celiac Disease
 Bellwork Set #10

Prefix/ Meaning Example Other

Suffix Terms
46. circum-

47. Celi

48. cide

49. Chrom

50. Chron
 MEDICAL SPELLING TERMS
MEDICAL TERMS TO SPELL WEEK OF OCT 25TH

1. CIRCULATORY
2. PULMONARY
Say the word
3. CARDIOPULMONARY Spell the word
4. SKELETAL
5. INTEGUMENTARY
Say the word
6. LYMPHATIC
7. ENDOCRINE
8. RESPIRATORY
9. MUSCULAR
10. STETHOSCOPE
11. SPHYGMOMANOMETER
12. URINARY
13. MUSCULOSKELETAL
14. REPRODUCTIVE
15. LATERAL
 Spelling For Skeletal System

Cranium Patella Cervical

thoracic sacrum lumbar
Coccyx Sternum Tibia
Xiphoid Process Fibula
Zygomatic Phalanges
Mandible Metatarsal
Maxillary Metacarpal
Humerus Femur
Radial Occipital
Ulna Parietal
 PRACTICE EXERCISES

Bellwork Quiz over 26-50!!

1. Blepharoplasty: repair of the ______

eyelid
2. Carcinogenic: ______
Cancer causing agent
3. Cervical: Pertaining to the _______
neck
4. Cholecystitis: inflammation of the
_____________
Gallbladder
5. Celiotomy: incision into the abdomen
_______
 REVIEW NOW!!

Bellwork Quiz over 26-50

TOMORROW!!

Sample Questions:
A cephalocele is ___________________.
Protrusion of parts in the head

Arthrocentesis ___________________.
Removal of fluid from a joint

** Be prepared for T/F, MC, matching,

and fill-in-the-blank!
 Bellwork Set #11

Prefix/ Meaning Example Meaning of Other

Suffix Example Terms
51. cise To Cut Excise To cut out Incision

52. cle Small Vesicle Small fluid- Ventricle

filled sac Tubercle
53. coccus Round Staphylococcus Round grape- Streptococcus
like clustered
bacteria
54. Col colon Colonoscopy Using a scope Colonic
to view the Colocentesis
colon

55. con- With; Consult Work Concordant

together together Concentric
 Bellwork Set #12

Prefix/ Meaning Example Meaning of Other

Suffix Example Terms
56. contra- Against; Contralateral On opposite Contradict
opposite sides Contraceptive
57. Coron Heart Coronary Pertaining to Coronary artery
the heart Coronary sinus
58. Cost Rib Costal Pertaining to Costochondritis
the ribs Costvertebral
59. Crani Skull Craniopathy Any disease Cranial
relating to Craniofacial
the skull Craniectomy

60. cryo- Cold Cryotherapy Treatment Cryophilic

using cold Cryopreservation
(ex: ice)
 Bellwork Set #13

Prefix/ Meaning Example Meaning of Other

Suffix Example Terms
61. Cutane Skin Subcutaneous Beneath the Cutaneous
skin
62. Cyan Blue Cyanosis Bluish skin Cyanobacteria
Cyanopsia
63. Cyst Bladder Cystitis Inflammation Cystectomy
of the bladder Cystocele
64. Cyt Cell Cytoplasm Fluid of a cell Cytolysis
Cytokinesis
65. cyte Cell Erythrocyte Red blood Blastocyte
cell Leukocyte
 Bellwork Set #14

Prefix/ Meaning Example Meaning of Other

Suffix Example Terms
66. Dactyl Fingers; Polydactyly Having too Adactyly
toes many fingers
or toes
67. de- Down; away Depress Move down Decalcify
from Decay
68. Derm Skin Dermis Pertaining to Epidermis
the skin Subdermal
69. Dermat Skin Dermatitis Inflammation Dermatologist
of the skin
70. dextro- To the right Dextrocardia Displacement Dextroposition
of the heart
to the right
 Bellwork Set #15

Prefix/ Meaning Example Meaning of Other

Suffix Example Terms
71. di- Two Didactyly Two fingers or Diatomic
toes on one Diataxia
hand or foot
72. dia- Through; Diapedesis blood cells Diameter
across through
blood vessels
73. Dipl Two; Diplopia Double vision Diploid
double Diplococcus
74. dips thirst Polydipsia Excessive Dipsesis
thirst Dipsomania
75. dorso- Back Dorsal Pertaining to Dorsolateral
the back part Dorsiflexion
 PRACTICE EXERCISES

Bellwork Quiz over 51-75!!

1. Vesicle: _______
small fluid-filled sac
2. Coronary: Pertaining to the _______
heart
3. Cystitis: Inflammation of the _______
bladder
4. Subdermal: Beneath the ______
skin
5. Diplopia: _______
double vision
 REVIEW NOW!!

Bellwork Quiz over 51-75

TOMORROW!!
Sample Questions:
Didactyly is Having
_____________________.
2 fingers/toes on 1 hand/foot

Costochondritis is inflammation of the

_________________.
Ribs and cartilage

** Be prepared for T/F, MC, matching,

and fill-in-the-blank!