Medical Terminology Reference
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Use this reference to see how common medical terms are created using the various prefixes, suffixes, and root words. |
capillus
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Prefix: Prefix Definition: 1st Root Word: capill/o 1st Root Definition: capillary 2nd Root Word: 2nd Root Word Definition: Suffix: -us Suffix Definition: structure; thing Definition: relating to capillaries |
carcinogen
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Prefix: Prefix Definition: 1st Root Word: carcin/o 1st Root Definition: cancerous; cancer 2nd Root Word: 2nd Root Word Definition: Suffix: -gen Suffix Definition: substance that produces Definition: substance that produces cancer |
carcinogenic
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Prefix: Prefix Definition: 1st Root Word: carcin/o 1st Root Definition: cancerous 2nd Root Word: cancer 2nd Root Word Definition: Suffix: -genic Suffix Definition: produced by or in Definition: potential of producing cancer |
cardiac
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Prefix: Prefix Definition: 1st Root Word: cardi/o 1st Root Definition: heart 2nd Root Word: 2nd Root Word Definition: Suffix: -ac Suffix Definition: pertaining to Definition: pertaining to the heart |
cardiogenic
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Prefix: Prefix Definition: 1st Root Word: cardi/o 1st Root Definition: heart 2nd Root Word: 2nd Root Word Definition: Suffix: -genic Suffix Definition: produced by or in Definition: produced by or in the heart |
cardiogram
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Prefix: Prefix Definition: 1st Root Word: cardi/o 1st Root Definition: heart 2nd Root Word: 2nd Root Word Definition: Suffix: -gram Suffix Definition: record Definition: record of muscle activity within the heart |
cardiograph
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Prefix: Prefix Definition: 1st Root Word: cardi/o 1st Root Definition: heart 2nd Root Word: 2nd Root Word Definition: Suffix: -graph Suffix Definition: instrument for recording Definition: instrument for recording the muscle activity within the heart |
cardiologist
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Prefix: Prefix Definition: 1st Root Word: cardi/o 1st Root Definition: heart 2nd Root Word: 2nd Root Word Definition: Suffix: -logist Suffix Definition: specialist in the study of Definition: specialist in the study of the heart |
cardiology
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Prefix: Prefix Definition: 1st Root Word: cardi/o 1st Root Definition: heart 2nd Root Word: 2nd Root Word Definition: Suffix: -logy Suffix Definition: study (process of) Definition: study of disease; treatment of the heart |
cardiotoxicity
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Prefix: Prefix Definition: 1st Root Word: cardi/o 1st Root Definition: heart 2nd Root Word: toxic/o 2nd Root Word Definition: poison Suffix: Suffix Definition: Definition: toxicity that affects the heart |
carpopedal
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Prefix: Prefix Definition: 1st Root Word: carp/o 1st Root Definition: carpals (wrist bones) 2nd Root Word: ped/o 2nd Root Word Definition: child; foot Suffix: -al Suffix Definition: pertaining to Definition: pertaining to the wrist and foot |
catabolism
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Prefix: cata- Prefix Definition: down 1st Root Word: bol/o 1st Root Definition: cast; throw 2nd Root Word: 2nd Root Word Definition: Suffix: -ism Suffix Definition: process; condition Definition: process of breaking down molecules in metabolism |
cephalalgia
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Prefix: Prefix Definition: 1st Root Word: cephal/o 1st Root Definition: head 2nd Root Word: 2nd Root Word Definition: Suffix: -algia Suffix Definition: pain Definition: headache |
cephalic
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Prefix: Prefix Definition: 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 the head |
ceratoid
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Prefix: Prefix Definition: 1st Root Word: cerat/o 1st Root Definition: horn; cornea 2nd Root Word: 2nd Root Word Definition: Suffix: -oid Suffix Definition: resembling; derived from Definition: resembling a horn (shape) |
cerebellum
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Prefix: Prefix Definition: 1st Root Word: cerebell/o 1st Root Definition: cerebellum (posterior part of the brain) 2nd Root Word: 2nd Root Word Definition: Suffix: -um Suffix Definition: structure; tissue; thing Definition: structure of the posterior part of the brain |
cerebrology
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Prefix: Prefix Definition: 1st Root Word: cerebr/o 1st Root Definition: cerebrum (largest part of the brain) 2nd Root Word: 2nd Root Word Definition: Suffix: -logy Suffix Definition: study (process of) Definition: study of the cerebrum |
cervicodorsal
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Prefix: Prefix Definition: 1st Root Word: cervic/o 1st Root Definition: neck; cervix (neck of uterus) 2nd Root Word: dors/o 2nd Root Word Definition: back (of body) Suffix: -al Suffix Definition: pertaining to Definition: pertaining to the neck and back |
chemotherapy
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Prefix: Prefix Definition: 1st Root Word: chem/o 1st Root Definition: drug; chemical 2nd Root Word: 2nd Root Word Definition: Suffix: -therapy Suffix Definition: treatment Definition: treatment of disease using chemicals; drugs |
chlorophyll
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Prefix: Prefix Definition: 1st Root Word: chlor/o 1st Root Definition: green 2nd Root Word: phyl/o 2nd Root Word Definition: race Suffix: Suffix Definition: Definition: green substance; pigment |
cholecystalgia
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Prefix: Prefix Definition: 1st Root Word: cholecyst/o 1st Root Definition: gallbladder 2nd Root Word: 2nd Root Word Definition: Suffix: -algia Suffix Definition: pain Definition: abdominal (gallbladder) pain |
cholecystectomy
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Prefix: Prefix Definition: 1st Root Word: cholecyst/o 1st Root Definition: gallbladder 2nd Root Word: 2nd Root Word Definition: Suffix: -ectomy Suffix Definition: removal; excision; resection Definition: removal; excision; resection of the gallbladder |
cholecystitis
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Prefix: Prefix Definition: 1st Root Word: cholecyst/o 1st Root Definition: gallbladder 2nd Root Word: 2nd Root Word Definition: Suffix: -itis Suffix Definition: inflammation Definition: inflammation of the gallbladder |
cholelithiasis
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Prefix: Prefix Definition: 1st Root Word: chol/e 1st Root Definition: bile; gall 2nd Root Word: lith/o 2nd Root Word Definition: stone; calculus Suffix: -iasis Suffix Definition: abnormal condition Definition: abnormal condition of the gallbladder; formation of gallstones |
cholemia
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Prefix: Prefix Definition: 1st Root Word: chol/e 1st Root Definition: bile; gall 2nd Root Word: 2nd Root Word Definition: Suffix: -emia Suffix Definition: blood condition Definition: excess bile in the blood |
chondrocalcinosis
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Prefix: Prefix Definition: 1st Root Word: chondr/o 1st Root Definition: cartilage 2nd Root Word: calci/o 2nd Root Word Definition: calcium Suffix: -osis Suffix Definition: condition; usually abnormal Definition: condition of calcium in the cartilage of joints |
ciliary
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Prefix: cili- Prefix Definition: cilia 1st Root Word: 1st Root Definition: 2nd Root Word: 2nd Root Word Definition: Suffix: -ary Suffix Definition: pertaining to Definition: pertaining to the cilia; eyelids; eyelashes |
circumcision
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Prefix: circum- Prefix Definition: around 1st Root Word: cis/o 1st Root Definition: to cut 2nd Root Word: 2nd Root Word Definition: Suffix: -ion Suffix Definition: process Definition: process of cutting around the skin of a penis |
claustrophobia
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Prefix: Prefix Definition: 1st Root Word: claustr/o 1st Root Definition: enclosed space 2nd Root Word: 2nd Root Word Definition: Suffix: -phobia Suffix Definition: fear Definition: fear of enclosed spaces |
coagulant
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Prefix: Prefix Definition: 1st Root Word: coagul/o 1st Root Definition: coagulation (clotting) 2nd Root Word: 2nd Root Word Definition: Suffix: -ant Suffix Definition: that is or does something Definition: substance that causes blood to coagulate |
coenzymes
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Prefix: co- Prefix Definition: together; in common; mutually 1st Root Word: en- 1st Root Definition: in; within 2nd Root Word: 2nd Root Word Definition: Suffix: -zyme Suffix Definition: enzyme Definition: non protein compound that is necessary for the functioning of an enzyme |
colonoscopy
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Prefix: Prefix Definition: 1st Root Word: colon/o 1st Root Definition: colon (large intestine) 2nd Root Word: 2nd Root Word Definition: Suffix: -scopy Suffix Definition: visual examination Definition: visual examination of the colon (large intestine) |
colostomy
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Prefix: Prefix Definition: 1st Root Word: col/o 1st Root Definition: colon (large intestine) 2nd Root Word: 2nd Root Word Definition: Suffix: -stomy Suffix Definition: new opening Definition: surgical procedure to create a new opening in the colon (large intestine) |
colposcopy
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Prefix: Prefix Definition: 1st Root Word: colp/o 1st Root Definition: vagina 2nd Root Word: 2nd Root Word Definition: Suffix: -scopy Suffix Definition: visual examination Definition: visual examination of the vagina |
corectomy
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Prefix: Prefix Definition: 1st Root Word: core/o 1st Root Definition: pupil 2nd Root Word: 2nd Root Word Definition: Suffix: -ectomy Suffix Definition: removal; excision; resection Definition: surgical removal; excision; resection of part of the pupil |
corneal
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Prefix: Prefix Definition: 1st Root Word: corne/o 1st Root Definition: cornea 2nd Root Word: 2nd Root Word Definition: Suffix: -eal Suffix Definition: pertaining to Definition: pertaining to the cornea |
costochondral
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Prefix: Prefix Definition: 1st Root Word: cost/o 1st Root Definition: rib 2nd Root Word: chondr/o 2nd Root Word Definition: cartilage Suffix: -al Suffix Definition: pertaining to Definition: pertaining to the joints between the ribs and costal cartilage |
craniology
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Prefix: Prefix Definition: 1st Root Word: crani/o 1st Root Definition: skull 2nd Root Word: 2nd Root Word Definition: Suffix: -logy Suffix Definition: study (process of) Definition: study of skulls (shape, size…) |
cruciform
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Prefix: cruci- Prefix Definition: cross 1st Root Word: 1st Root Definition: 2nd Root Word: 2nd Root Word Definition: Suffix: -form Suffix Definition: resembling the shape of Definition: resembling the shape of a cross |
cryoablation
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Prefix: Prefix Definition: 1st Root Word: cry/o 1st Root Definition: cold 2nd Root Word: 2nd Root Word Definition: Suffix: -ablation Suffix Definition: destroy or damage tissue Definition: process using extreme cold to destroy or damage tissue |
cuneiform
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Prefix: cunei- Prefix Definition: wedge 1st Root Word: 1st Root Definition: 2nd Root Word: 2nd Root Word Definition: Suffix: -form Suffix Definition: resembling the shape of Definition: resembling the shape of a wedge |
cyanopsia
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Prefix: Prefix Definition: 1st Root Word: cyan/o 1st Root Definition: blue 2nd Root Word: 2nd Root Word Definition: Suffix: -opsia Suffix Definition: vision condition Definition: vision condition where all objects appear blue |
cyphosis
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Prefix: Prefix Definition: 1st Root Word: cyph/o 1st Root Definition: bent 2nd Root Word: 2nd Root Word Definition: Suffix: -osis Suffix Definition: condition, usually abnormal Definition: abnormal bend in the spine |
cystotomy
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Prefix: Prefix Definition: 1st Root Word: cyst/o 1st Root Definition: urinary bladder; cyst; sac of fluid 2nd Root Word: 2nd Root Word Definition: Suffix: -tomy Suffix Definition: process of cutting Definition: surgical process of cutting into the urinary bladder |
cytokine
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Prefix: Prefix Definition: 1st Root Word: cyt/o 1st Root Definition: cell 2nd Root Word: kin/e 2nd Root Word Definition: movement Suffix: Suffix Definition: Definition: substances that are secreted by certain cells |
cytology
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Prefix: Prefix Definition: 1st Root Word: cyt/o 1st Root Definition: cell 2nd Root Word: 2nd Root Word Definition: Suffix: -logy Suffix Definition: study (process of) Definition: study of cells |
cytostasis
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Prefix: Prefix Definition: 1st Root Word: cyt/o 1st Root Definition: cell 2nd Root Word: 2nd Root Word Definition: Suffix: -stasis Suffix Definition: to stop; control; place Definition: stopping; controlling cell growth and multiplication |
cytotoxic
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Prefix: Prefix Definition: 1st Root Word: cyt/o 1st Root Definition: cell 2nd Root Word: toxic/o 2nd Root Word Definition: poison Suffix: Suffix Definition: Definition: poison to living cells |
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