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. |
pachyderma
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Prefix: pachy- Prefix Definition: heavy; thick 1st Root Word: derm/o 1st Root Definition: skin 2nd Root Word: 2nd Root Word Definition: Suffix: Suffix Definition: Definition: thickening of the skin |
pancreatitis
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Prefix: Prefix Definition: 1st Root Word: pancreat/o 1st Root Definition: pancreas 2nd Root Word: 2nd Root Word Definition: Suffix: -itis Suffix Definition: inflammation Definition: inflammation of the pancreas |
panophobia
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Prefix: pan- Prefix Definition: all 1st Root Word: 1st Root Definition: 2nd Root Word: 2nd Root Word Definition: Suffix: -phobia Suffix Definition: fear Definition: fear of anything/everything |
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papillitis
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Prefix: Prefix Definition: 1st Root Word: papill/o 1st Root Definition: nipple-like; optic disc 2nd Root Word: 2nd Root Word Definition: Suffix: -itis Suffix Definition: inflammation Definition: inflammation of the optic nerve |
papulation
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Prefix: Prefix Definition: 1st Root Word: papul/o 1st Root Definition: papule; pimple 2nd Root Word: 2nd Root Word Definition: Suffix: -ation Suffix Definition: process; condition Definition: condition of developing papules |
paracentesis
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Prefix: para- Prefix Definition: near; beside; abnormal; apart from; along the side of 1st Root Word: 1st Root Definition: 2nd Root Word: 2nd Root Word Definition: Suffix: -centesis Suffix Definition: surgical puncture to remove fluid Definition: surgical puncture to remove fluid from a body cavity |
paracusis
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Prefix: para- Prefix Definition: near; beside; abnormal; apart from; along the side of 1st Root Word: 1st Root Definition: 2nd Root Word: 2nd Root Word Definition: Suffix: -cusis Suffix Definition: hearing Definition: condition of abnormal sense of hearing |
parageusia
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Prefix: para- Prefix Definition: near; beside; abnormal; apart from; along the side of 1st Root Word: 1st Root Definition: 2nd Root Word: 2nd Root Word Definition: Suffix: -geusia Suffix Definition: taste Definition: condition of abnormal sense of taste |
paralysis
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Prefix: para- Prefix Definition: near; beside; abnormal; apart from; along the side of 1st Root Word: 1st Root Definition: 2nd Root Word: 2nd Root Word Definition: Suffix: -lysis Suffix Definition: breakdown; separation; destruction; loosening Definition: inability to move a body part |
paraplegic
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Prefix: para- Prefix Definition: near; beside; abnormal; apart from; along the side of 1st Root Word: 1st Root Definition: 2nd Root Word: 2nd Root Word Definition: Suffix: -plegic Suffix Definition: paralysis; palsy Definition: paralysis of the body waste down |
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pectoralgia
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Prefix: Prefix Definition: 1st Root Word: pector/o 1st Root Definition: chest 2nd Root Word: 2nd Root Word Definition: Suffix: -algia Suffix Definition: pain Definition: pain in the chest |
pediatric
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Prefix: Prefix Definition: 1st Root Word: ped/o 1st Root Definition: child; foot 2nd Root Word: iatr/o 2nd Root Word Definition: physician; treatment Suffix: -ic Suffix Definition: pertaining to Definition: pertaining to the medical treatment of children |
pelvimetry
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Prefix: Prefix Definition: 1st Root Word: pelv/i 1st Root Definition: pelvis; hip region 2nd Root Word: 2nd Root Word Definition: Suffix: -metry Suffix Definition: process of measuring Definition: process of measuring the pelvis |
pelvic
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Prefix: Prefix Definition: 1st Root Word: pelv/i 1st Root Definition: pelvis; hip region 2nd Root Word: 2nd Root Word Definition: Suffix: -ic Suffix Definition: pertaining to Definition: pertaining to the pelvis; hip region |
percutaneous
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Prefix: per- Prefix Definition: through 1st Root Word: cutane/o 1st Root Definition: skin 2nd Root Word: 2nd Root Word Definition: Suffix: -ous Suffix Definition: pertaining to Definition: pertaining to through the skin |
pericardium
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Prefix: peri- Prefix Definition: surrounding 1st Root Word: cardi/o 1st Root Definition: heart 2nd Root Word: 2nd Root Word Definition: Suffix: -ium Suffix Definition: structure; tissue Definition: tissue that surrounds the heart |
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perineal
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Prefix: Prefix Definition: 1st Root Word: perine/o 1st Root Definition: perineum 2nd Root Word: 2nd Root Word Definition: Suffix: -al Suffix Definition: pertaining to Definition: pertaining to the perineum |
periodontal
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Prefix: peri- Prefix Definition: surrounding 1st Root Word: odont/o 1st Root Definition: tooth 2nd Root Word: 2nd Root Word Definition: Suffix: -al Suffix Definition: pertaining to Definition: pertaining to the diseased tissue that surrounds the teeth (gums) |
peristalsis
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Prefix: peri- Prefix Definition: surrounding 1st Root Word: 1st Root Definition: 2nd Root Word: 2nd Root Word Definition: Suffix: -stalsis Suffix Definition: contraction Definition: involuntary contraction of muscles in the digestive tract |
phagocyte
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Prefix: Prefix Definition: 1st Root Word: phag/o 1st Root Definition: eat; swallow 2nd Root Word: 2nd Root Word Definition: Suffix: -cyte Suffix Definition: cell Definition: cell capable of eating; swallowing other small cells; particles |
pharmaceutics
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Prefix: Prefix Definition: 1st Root Word: pharmaceut/o 1st Root Definition: drug 2nd Root Word: 2nd Root Word Definition: Suffix: -ic Suffix Definition: pertaining to Definition: pertaining to drugs; medicine in the use of treatment |
pharmacology
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Prefix: Prefix Definition: 1st Root Word: pharmac/o 1st Root Definition: drug 2nd Root Word: 2nd Root Word Definition: Suffix: -logy Suffix Definition: study (process of) Definition: study of drugs in the use of treatment |
pharyngitis
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Prefix: Prefix Definition: 1st Root Word: pharyng/o 1st Root Definition: throat (pharynx) 2nd Root Word: 2nd Root Word Definition: Suffix: -itis Suffix Definition: inflammation Definition: inflammation of the back of the throat (pharynx) |
pharyngoscopy
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Prefix: Prefix Definition: 1st Root Word: pharyng/o 1st Root Definition: throat (pharynx) 2nd Root Word: 2nd Root Word Definition: Suffix: -scopy Suffix Definition: visual examination Definition: visual examination of the back of the throat (pharynx) |
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phlebotomy
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Prefix: Prefix Definition: 1st Root Word: phleb/o 1st Root Definition: vein 2nd Root Word: 2nd Root Word Definition: Suffix: -tomy Suffix Definition: process of cutting Definition: process of puncturing a vein |
phonograph
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Prefix: Prefix Definition: 1st Root Word: phon/o 1st Root Definition: voice; sound 2nd Root Word: 2nd Root Word Definition: Suffix: -graph Suffix Definition: instrument for recording Definition: instrument for recording sound |
photopathy
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Prefix: Prefix Definition: 1st Root Word: phot/o 1st Root Definition: light 2nd Root Word: 2nd Root Word Definition: Suffix: -pathy Suffix Definition: disease; emotion Definition: disease brought on by light |
pneumocyte
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Prefix: Prefix Definition: pneum/o 1st Root Word: lung; air; gas 1st Root Definition: 2nd Root Word: 2nd Root Word Definition: Suffix: -cyte Suffix Definition: cell Definition: cell that line the alveoli of the lung |
pneumonia
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Prefix: Prefix Definition: 1st Root Word: pneumon/o 1st Root Definition: lung; air; gas 2nd Root Word: 2nd Root Word Definition: Suffix: -ia Suffix Definition: condition Definition: condition of lung inflammation |
podiatry
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Prefix: Prefix Definition: 1st Root Word: pod/o 1st Root Definition: foot 2nd Root Word: iatr/o 2nd Root Word Definition: physician; treatment Suffix: -y Suffix Definition: condition; process Definition: process of treating the foot |
poliomyelitis
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Prefix: polio- Prefix Definition: gray matter (of brain or spinal cord) 1st Root Word: myel/o 1st Root Definition: spinal cord; bone marrow 2nd Root Word: 2nd Root Word Definition: Suffix: -itis Suffix Definition: inflammation Definition: inflammation of the motor neurons of the brain stem and spinal cord |
polydactyly
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Prefix: poly- Prefix Definition: many; much 1st Root Word: dactyl/o 1st Root Definition: fingers; toes 2nd Root Word: 2nd Root Word Definition: Suffix: -y Suffix Definition: condition; process Definition: condition of having too many fingers or toes |
polydipsia
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Prefix: poly- Prefix Definition: many; much 1st Root Word: dips/o 1st Root Definition: thirst 2nd Root Word: 2nd Root Word Definition: Suffix: -ia Suffix Definition: condition Definition: abnormal condition of excessive thirst |
polymyositis
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Prefix: poly- Prefix Definition: many; much 1st Root Word: myos/o 1st Root Definition: muscle 2nd Root Word: 2nd Root Word Definition: Suffix: -itis Suffix Definition: inflammation Definition: inflammation of muscles or its associated tissue |
polyuria
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Prefix: poly- Prefix Definition: many; much 1st Root Word: 1st Root Definition: 2nd Root Word: 2nd Root Word Definition: Suffix: -uria Suffix Definition: urination; condition of urine Definition: condition of excessive volumes of urine |
postmortem
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Prefix: post- Prefix Definition: after; behind 1st Root Word: 1st Root Definition: 2nd Root Word: 2nd Root Word Definition: Suffix: -mortem Suffix Definition: death Definition: after death |
postpartum
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Prefix: post- Prefix Definition: after; behind 1st Root Word: 1st Root Definition: 2nd Root Word: 2nd Root Word Definition: Suffix: -partum Suffix Definition: birth; labor Definition: after birth; labor |
prenatal
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Prefix: pre- Prefix Definition: before; in front of 1st Root Word: nat/i 1st Root Definition: birth 2nd Root Word: 2nd Root Word Definition: Suffix: -al Suffix Definition: pertaining to Definition: pertaining to before birth |
proctologist
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Prefix: Prefix Definition: 1st Root Word: proct/o 1st Root Definition: anus and rectum 2nd Root Word: 2nd Root Word Definition: Suffix: -logist Suffix Definition: specialist in the study of Definition: specialist in the study of disease and treatment of the anus and rectum |
proctology
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Prefix: Prefix Definition: 1st Root Word: proct/o 1st Root Definition: anus and rectum 2nd Root Word: 2nd Root Word Definition: Suffix: -logy Suffix Definition: study (process of) Definition: study of disease and treatment of the anus and rectum |
proctoscopy
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Prefix: Prefix Definition: 1st Root Word: rect/o 1st Root Definition: anus and rectum 2nd Root Word: 2nd Root Word Definition: Suffix: -scopy Suffix Definition: visual examination Definition: visual examination of the anus and rectum |
prognosis
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Prefix: pro- Prefix Definition: before; forward 1st Root Word: gnos/o 1st Root Definition: knowledge 2nd Root Word: is/o 2nd Root Word Definition: same; equal Suffix: Suffix Definition: Definition: prior knowledge before an outcome |
psoriasis
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Prefix: Prefix Definition: 1st Root Word: psor/o 1st Root Definition: itching 2nd Root Word: 2nd Root Word Definition: Suffix: -iasis Suffix Definition: abnormal condition Definition: abnormal condition of itchy, red patches of the skin |
psychiatry
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Prefix: Prefix Definition: 1st Root Word: psych/o 1st Root Definition: mind 2nd Root Word: iatr/o 2nd Root Word Definition: physician; treatment Suffix: -y Suffix Definition: condition; process Definition: process and treatment of disorders of the mind |
psychologist
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Prefix: Prefix Definition: 1st Root Word: psych/o 1st Root Definition: mind 2nd Root Word: 2nd Root Word Definition: Suffix: -logist Suffix Definition: specialist in the study of Definition: specialist in the process and treatment of disorders of the mind |
psychology
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Prefix: Prefix Definition: 1st Root Word: psych/o 1st Root Definition: mind 2nd Root Word: 2nd Root Word Definition: Suffix: -logy Suffix Definition: study (process of) Definition: study of the process and treatment of disorders of the mind |
psychosis
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Prefix: Prefix Definition: 1st Root Word: psych/o 1st Root Definition: mind 2nd Root Word: 2nd Root Word Definition: Suffix: -osis Suffix Definition: condition, usually abnormal Definition: abnormal condition of severe mental disorder |
pulmonary
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Prefix: Prefix Definition: 1st Root Word: pulmon/o 1st Root Definition: lung 2nd Root Word: 2nd Root Word Definition: Suffix: -ary Suffix Definition: pertaining to Definition: pertaining to the lung |