Use this reference to see how common medical terms are created using the various prefixes, suffixes, and root words. |
bactericide
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Prefix: Prefix Definition: 1st Root Word: bacteri/o 1st Root Definition: bacteria 2nd Root Word: 2nd Root Word Definition: Suffix: -cide Suffix Definition: killing Definition: substance capable of killing bacteria |
bactericidal
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Prefix: Prefix Definition: 1st Root Word: bacteri/o 1st Root Definition: bacteria 2nd Root Word: 2nd Root Word Definition: Suffix: -cidal Suffix Definition: pertaining to killing Definition: pertaining to a substance capable of killing bacteria |
bacteriophage
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Prefix: Prefix Definition: 1st Root Word: bacteri/o 1st Root Definition: bacteria 2nd Root Word: 2nd Root Word Definition: Suffix: -phage Suffix Definition: eat; swallow Definition: virus that eats (infects) bacteria |
balanitis
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Prefix: Prefix Definition: 1st Root Word: balan/o 1st Root Definition: glans penis 2nd Root Word: 2nd Root Word Definition: Suffix: -itis Suffix Definition: inflammation Definition: inflammation of the penis |
basolateral
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Prefix: Prefix Definition: 1st Root Word: bas/o 1st Root Definition: base; opposite of acid 2nd Root Word: later/o 2nd Root Word Definition: side Suffix: -al Suffix Definition: pertaining to Definition: pertaining to the location in or on the base and one or more sides |
biliary tract
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Prefix: Prefix Definition: 1st Root Word: bil/i 1st Root Definition: bile; gall 2nd Root Word: 2nd Root Word Definition: Suffix: -ary Suffix Definition: pertaining to Definition: pertaining to the gallbladder and bile ducts |
binary
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Prefix: bi- Prefix Definition: two 1st Root Word: 1st Root Definition: 2nd Root Word: 2nd Root Word Definition: Suffix: -ary Suffix Definition: pertaining to Definition: pertaining to something composed with two parts |
biologist
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Prefix: Prefix Definition: 1st Root Word: bi/o 1st Root Definition: life 2nd Root Word: 2nd Root Word Definition: Suffix: -logist Suffix Definition: specialist in the study of Definition: specialist in the study of life |
biology
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Prefix: Prefix Definition: 1st Root Word: bi/o 1st Root Definition: life 2nd Root Word: 2nd Root Word Definition: Suffix: -logy Suffix Definition: study (process of) Definition: study of life |
blastomere
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Prefix: Prefix Definition: 1st Root Word: blast/o 1st Root Definition: embryonic; immature cell 2nd Root Word: mer/o/e 2nd Root Word Definition: part Suffix: Suffix Definition: Definition: any of the cells resulting from the cleavage of a fertilized ovum during early embryonic development |
blepharoplasty
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Prefix: Prefix Definition: 1st Root Word: blephar/o 1st Root Definition: eyelid 2nd Root Word: 2nd Root Word Definition: Suffix: -plasty Suffix Definition: surgical repair Definition: surgical repair of the eyelid |
blepharospasm
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Prefix: Prefix Definition: 1st Root Word: blephar/o 1st Root Definition: eyelid 2nd Root Word: 2nd Root Word Definition: Suffix: -spasm Suffix Definition: sudden contraction of muscles Definition: sudden contraction of muscles of the eyelid |
brachium
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Prefix: Prefix Definition: 1st Root Word: brachi/o 1st Root Definition: arm 2nd Root Word: 2nd Root Word Definition: Suffix: -ium Suffix Definition: structure; tissue Definition: structure of the (upper) arm |
brachycephalic
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Prefix: brachy- Prefix Definition: short 1st Root Word: cephal/o 1st Root Definition: head 2nd Root Word: 2nd Root Word Definition: Suffix: -ic Suffix Definition: pertaining to Definition: pertaining to a short skull; head |
bradycardia
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Prefix: brady- Prefix Definition: slow 1st Root Word: cardi/o 1st Root Definition: heart 2nd Root Word: 2nd Root Word Definition: Suffix: -ia Suffix Definition: condition Definition: condition of a slow heart rate |
bronchiectasis
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Prefix: Prefix Definition: 1st Root Word: bronchi/o 1st Root Definition: bronchial tube 2nd Root Word: 2nd Root Word Definition: Suffix: -ectasis Suffix Definition: dilation; dilatation; widening Definition: dilation; dilatation; widening of the bronchial tube |
bronchitis
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Prefix: Prefix Definition: 1st Root Word: bronchi/o 1st Root Definition: bronchial tube 2nd Root Word: 2nd Root Word Definition: Suffix: -itis Suffix Definition: inflammation Definition: inflammation of the bronchial tube |
buccolabial
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Prefix: Prefix Definition: 1st Root Word: bucc/o 1st Root Definition: cheek 2nd Root Word: labi/o 2nd Root Word Definition: lip Suffix: -al Suffix Definition: pertaining to Definition: pertaining to both the cheek and lip |
bursa
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Prefix: Prefix Definition: 1st Root Word: burs/o 1st Root Definition: bursa (sac of fluid near joints) 2nd Root Word: 2nd Root Word Definition: Suffix: -a Suffix Definition: pertaining to Definition: pertaining to the sac of fluid near joints |
bursitis
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Prefix: Prefix Definition: 1st Root Word: burs/o 1st Root Definition: bursa (sac of fluid near joints) 2nd Root Word: 2nd Root Word Definition: Suffix: -itis Suffix Definition: inflammation Definition: inflammation of the sac of fluid near joints |
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