List of medical roots, suffixes and prefixes

Template:Short description This is a list of roots, suffixes, and prefixes used in medical terminology, their meanings, and their etymologies. Most of them are combining forms in Neo-Latin and hence international scientific vocabulary. There are a few general rules about how they combine. First, prefixes and suffixes, most of which are derived from ancient Greek or classical Latin, have a droppable vowel, usually -o-. As a general rule, this vowel almost always acts as a joint-stem to connect two consonantal roots (e.g. Template:Wikt-lang + + -logy = arthrology), but generally, the -o- is dropped when connecting to a vowel-stem (e.g. + -itis = arthritis, instead of Template:Not a typo). Second, medical roots generally go together according to language, i.e., Greek prefixes occur with Greek suffixes and Latin prefixes with Latin suffixes. Although international scientific vocabulary is not stringent about segregating combining forms of different languages, it is advisable when coining new words not to mix different lingual roots.

Prefixes and suffixes

The following is an alphabetical list of medical prefixes and suffixes, along with their meanings, origins, and English examples.

A

Affix	Meaning	Origin language and etymology	Example(s)
a-, an-	not, without (alpha privative)	Greek Template:Wikt-lang (Template:Grc-transl), not, without	analgesic, apathy, anencephaly
ab-	from; away from	Latin	abduction, abdomen
abdomin-	of or relating to the abdomen	Latin Template:Wikt-lang, abdomen, fat around the belly	abdominoplasty
-ac	pertaining to; one afflicted with	Greek (Template:Grc-transl)	cardiac, celiac
acanth-	thorn or spine	Greek Template:Wikt-lang (Template:Grc-transl), thorn	acanthocyte, acanthoma
acou-	of or relating to hearing	Greek Template:Wikt-lang (Template:Grc-transl), (Template:Grc-transl), of or for hearing	acoustician
acr-	extremity, topmost	Greek Template:Wikt-lang (Template:Grc-transl), highest or farthest point	acromegaly, acroosteolysis, acrosome
-acusis	hearing	Greek Template:Wikt-lang (Template:Grc-transl), of or for hearing	hyperacusis
-ad	toward, in the direction of	Latin Template:Wikt-lang, toward, to	dorsad, ventrad
ad-	at, increase, on, toward	Latin Template:Wikt-lang, to	adduction
aden-	of or relating to a gland	Greek Template:Wikt-lang, (Template:Grc-transl), an acorn; a gland	adenocarcinoma, adenology
adip-	of or relating to fat or fatty tissue	Latin Template:Wikt-lang, , fat	adipocyte
adren-	of or relating to the adrenal glands	Latin Template:Wikt-lang + Template:Wikt-lang, kidneys	adrenal artery, adrenaline, adrenochrome
-aemia, ema, hemat (BrE)	blood condition	Greek Template:Wikt-lang (Template:Grc-transl), without blood	anaemia
aer(o)-	air, gas	Greek Template:Wikt-lang, ἀέρος (Template:Grc-transl)	aerosinusitis, aerophagia
aesthesi- (BrE)	sensation	Greek Template:Wikt-lang (Template:Grc-transl)	anaesthesia
-al	pertaining to	Latin Template:Wikt-lang	abdominal, femoral
alb-	denoting a white or pale color	Latin albus, white	albino, tunica albuginea
alge(si)-	pain	Greek Template:Wikt-lang (Template:Grc-transl)	analgesic
-algia, alg(i)o-	pain	Greek	myalgia
all-	denoting something as different, or as an addition	Greek Template:Wikt-lang (Template:Grc-transl), another, other	alloantigen, allopathy
ambi-	denoting something as positioned on both sides; describing both of two	Latin Template:Wikt-lang, Template:Wikt-lang, both, on both sides	ambidextrous
amnio-	Pertaining to the membranous fetal sac (amnion)	Greek Template:Wikt-lang (Template:Grc-transl)	amniocentesis
amph(i)-	on both sides	Greek Template:Wikt-lang (Template:Grc-transl)	amphismela, amphiarthrosis
amylo-	starchy, carbohydrate-related	Latin Template:Wikt-lang, starch	amylase, amylophagia
an-	not, without (alpha privative)	Greek	analgesia
ana-	back, again, up	Greek Template:Wikt-lang (Template:Grc-transl)	anaplasia
an-	anus	Latin	anal
andr-	pertaining to a man	Greek Template:Wikt-lang, (Template:Grc-transl), male	android, andrology, androgen
angi-	blood vessel	Greek Template:Wikt-lang (Template:Grc-transl)	angiogram, angioplasty
aniso-	describing something as unequal	Greek Template:Wikt-lang (Template:Grc-transl), unequal	anisocytosis, anisotropic
ankyl-, ancyl-	denoting something as crooked or bent	Greek Template:Wikt-lang (Template:Grc-transl), crooked, curved	ankylosis
ante-	describing something as positioned in front of another thing	Latin Template:Wikt-lang, before, in front of	antepartum
anthropo-	human	Greek Template:Wikt-lang (Template:Grc-transl), human	anthropology
anti-	describing something as 'against' or 'opposed to' another	Greek Template:Wikt-lang (Template:Grc-transl), against	antibody, antipsychotic
apo-	away, separated from, derived from	Greek Template:Wikt-lang (Template:Grc-transl)	apoptosis, apocrine
archi-	first, primitive	Greek Template:Wikt-lang (Template:Grc-transl)	archinephros
arsen(o)-	of or pertaining to a male; masculine	Greek Template:Wikt-lang (Template:Grc-transl)	arsenoblast
arteri(o)-	of or pertaining to an artery	Greek Template:Wikt-lang (Template:Grc-transl), a wind-pipe, artery (used distinctly versus a vein)	arteriole, artery
arthr-	of or pertaining to the joints, limbs	Greek Template:Wikt-lang (Template:Grc-transl), a joint, limb	arthritis
articul-	joint	Latin Template:Wikt-lang	articulation
-ary	pertaining to	Latin Template:Wikt-lang	biliary tract, coronary
-ase	enzyme	from Greek (Template:Wikt-lang (Template:Grc-transl, part, apart) + Template:Wikt-lang (Template:Grc-transl, stand)), division	lactase
-asthenia	weakness	Greek Template:Wikt-lang (Template:Grc-transl), sick, weak	myasthenia gravis
atel(o)-	imperfect or incomplete development	Greek Template:Wikt-lang (Template:Grc-transl), without end, incomplete	atelectasis
ather-	fatty deposit, soft gruel-like deposit	Template:Wikt-lang (Template:Grc-transl)	atherosclerosis
-ation	process	Latin	medication, eburnation
atri-	an atrium (esp. heart atrium)	Latin	atrioventricular
aur-	of or pertaining to the ear	Latin Template:Wikt-lang, the ear	aural
aut-	self	Greek Template:Wikt-lang, αὐτο- (Template:Grc-transl)	autoimmune, autophagy
aux(o)-	increase; growth	Greek Template:Wikt-lang, αὔξω (Template:Grc-transl)	auxotrophy, auxology
axill-	of or pertaining to the armpit (uncommon as a prefix)	Latin Template:Wikt-lang, armpit	axilla
azo(to)-	nitrogenous compound	French Template:Wikt-lang, nitrogen; from Greek Template:Wikt-lang (Template:Grc-transl) Template:Wikt-lang (Template:Grc-transl, no, without) + Template:Wikt-lang (Template:Grc-transl, life)), mephitic air	azotemia

B

Affix	Meaning	Origin language and etymology	Example(s)
bacillo-	rod-shaped, typically referring to Bacillus spp.	Latin Template:Wikt-lang, stick	bacillomycin
bacteri-	Pertaining to bacteria	Latin Template:Wikt-lang; Greek Template:Wikt-lang (Template:Grc-transl), small staff	bacteriophage, bactericide
balan-	of the glans penis or glans clitoridis	Greek Template:Wikt-lang (Template:Grc-transl), acorn, glans	balanitis
bas-	of or pertaining to base	Greek Template:Wikt-lang (Template:Grc-transl), foundation, base	basolateral
bi-	twice, double	Latin Template:Wikt-lang	binary vision, bicycle, bisexual
bio-	life	Greek Template:Wikt-lang (Template:Grc-transl)	biology, biological
blast-	germinate or bud	Greek Template:Wikt-lang (Template:Grc-transl)	blastomere
blephar(o)-	of or pertaining to the eyelid	Greek Template:Wikt-lang (Template:Grc-transl), eyelid	blepharoplasty
brachi(o)-	of or relating to the arm	Latin Template:Wikt-lang, from Greek Template:Wikt-lang (Template:Grc-transl), arm	brachium of inferior colliculus
brachy-	indicating 'short' or less commonly 'little'	Greek Template:Wikt-lang (Template:Grc-transl), short, little, shallow	brachycephalic
brady-	slow	Greek Template:Wikt-lang (Template:Grc-transl), slow	bradycardia, bradyzoite
bronch(i)-	of or relating to the bronchus	Latin Template:Wikt-lang; Greek Template:Wikt-lang (Template:Grc-transl), windpipe	bronchitis, bronchiolitis obliterans
bucc(o)-	of or pertaining to the cheek	Latin Template:Wikt-lang, cheek	buccolabial
burs(o)-	bursa (fluid sac between the bones)	Latin Template:Wikt-lang, purse; Greek Template:Wikt-lang (Template:Grc-transl), hide, wine-skin	bursa, bursitis

C

Affix	Meaning	Origin language and etymology	Example(s)
capill-	of or pertaining to hair	Latin Template:Wikt-lang, hair	capillus
capit-	pertaining to the head as a whole	Latin Template:Wikt-lang, , the head	capitation, decapitation
carcin-	cancer	Greek Template:Wikt-lang (Template:Grc-transl), crab	carcinoma
cardi-	of or pertaining to the heart	Greek Template:Wikt-lang (Template:Grc-transl), heart	cardiology
carp-	of or pertaining to the wrist	Latin Template:Wikt-lang < Greek Template:Wikt-lang (Template:Grc-transl), wrist; NOTE: This root should not be confused with the mirror root carp(o)- meaning fruit.	carpal, carpopedal spasm, metacarpal
cata-	down, under	Greek Template:Wikt-lang (Template:Grc-transl)	catabolism, catacombs, cataract
-cele	pouching, hernia	Greek Template:Wikt-lang (Template:Grc-transl)	hydrocele, varicocele
-centesis	surgical puncture for aspiration	Greek κέντησις (Template:Grc-transl)	amniocentesis, thoracentesis
cephal(o)-	of or pertaining to the head (as a whole)	Greek Template:Wikt-lang (Template:Grc-transl), the head	cephalalgia, hydrocephalus
cerat(o)-	of or pertaining to the cornu; a horn	Greek Template:Wikt-lang, (Template:Grc-transl), a horn	ceratoid
cerebell(o)-	of or pertaining to the cerebellum	Latin Template:Wikt-lang, little brain	cerebellum
cerebr(o)-	of or pertaining to the brain	Latin Template:Wikt-lang, brain	cerebrology
cervic-	of or pertaining to the neck or the cervix	Latin Template:Wikt-lang, ), neck, cervix	cervical vertebrae, cervicodorsal
cheil-	of or pertaining to the lips	Greek Template:Wikt-lang (Template:Grc-transl), lip, mouth, beak	angular cheilitis
chem(o)-	chemistry, drug	Greek Template:Wikt-lang (Template:Grc-transl)	chemical, chemistry, chemotherapy
chir-, cheir-	of or pertaining to the hand	Greek Template:Wikt-lang, (Template:Grc-transl), hand	chiropractor
chlor-	denoting a green color	Greek Template:Wikt-lang (Template:Grc-transl), green, yellow-green	chlorophyll
bil(i)-, chol(e)-	of or pertaining to bile	Greek Template:Wikt-lang (Template:Grc-transl), bile	cholaemia (UK) / cholemia (US), cholecystitis
cholecyst(o)-	of or pertaining to the gallbladder	Greek Template:Wikt-lang (Template:Grc-transl), gallbladder < Template:Wikt-lang (Template:Grc-transl), bile, gall + Template:Wikt-lang (Template:Grc-transl), bladder	cholecystectomy
chondr(i)o-	cartilage, gristle, granule, granular	Greek Template:Wikt-lang (khondrós)	chondrocalcinosis
chrom(ato)-	color	Greek Template:Wikt-lang (Template:Grc-transl)	hemochromatosis
-cidal, -cide	killing, destroying	Latin Template:Wikt-lang, cutter, killer	bacteriocidal, suicide, suicidal
cili-	of or pertaining to the cilia, the eyelashes; eyelids	Latin Template:Wikt-lang, eyelash; eyelid	ciliary
circum-	denoting something as 'around' another	Latin Template:Wikt-lang, around	circumcision
cis-	on this side	Latin Template:Wikt-lang	cisgender
-clast	break	Greek Template:Wikt-lang (Template:Grc-transl), broken	osteoclast
clostr-	spindle	Greek Template:Wikt-lang (Template:Grc-transl), spindle, thread	Clostridium
co-	with, together, in association	Latin Template:Wikt-lang	coenzymes, co-organization
-coccus, ‑coccal	round, spherical	Greek Template:Wikt-lang (Template:Grc-transl), berry, seed	Streptococcus
col-, colo-, colono-	colon	Greek Template:Wikt-lang (Template:Grc-transl)	colonoscopy
colp-	of or pertaining to the vagina	Greek Template:Wikt-lang (Template:Grc-transl), bosom, womb; hollow, depth	colposcopy
com-	with, together	Latin Template:Wikt-lang	communicate
contra-	against	Latin Template:Wikt-lang	contraindication
cor-	with, together	Latin Template:Wikt-lang	corrective
cor-	of or pertaining to the eye's pupil	Greek Template:Wikt-lang (Template:Grc-transl), girl, doll; pupil of the eye	corectomy
cord(i)-	of or pertaining to the heart (uncommon as a prefix)	Latin Template:Wikt-lang, heart	commotio cordis,
cornu-	applied to describing processes and parts of the body as likened or similar to horns	Latin Template:Wikt-lang, horn	greater cornu
coron-	pertaining to the heart	Latin Template:Wikt-lang	coronary heart disease
cortic-	cortex, outer region	Latin Template:Wikt-lang, bark of a tree	corticosteroid
cost-	of or pertaining to the ribs	Latin Template:Wikt-lang, rib	costochondral
cox-	of or relating to the hip, haunch, or hip-joint	Latin Template:Wikt-lang, hip	coxopodite
crani(o)-	belonging or relating to the cranium	Latin Template:Wikt-lang, from Greek Template:Wikt-lang (Template:Grc-transl), cranium, skull, bones enclosing the brain	craniology
-crine, crin(o)-	to secrete	Greek Template:Wikt-lang (Template:Grc-transl), separate, divide, discern	endocrine
cry(o)-	cold	Greek Template:Wikt-lang (Template:Grc-transl), cold, frost	cryoablation, cryogenic
cutane-	skin	Latin Template:Wikt-lang	subcutaneous
cyan(o)-	having a blue color	Greek Template:Wikt-lang, Template:Wikt-lang (Template:Grc-transl, blue, of the color blue)	cyanopsia, cyanosis
cycl-	circle, cycle	Greek Template:Wikt-lang (Template:Grc-transl)	cyclosis, cyclops, tricycle
cyph(o)-	denotes something as bent (uncommon as a prefix)	Greek Template:Wikt-lang (Template:Grc-transl), bent, hunchback	cyphosis
cyst(o)-, cyst(i)-	of or pertaining to the urinary bladder	Greek Template:Wikt-lang (Template:Grc-transl), bladder, cyst	cystostomy
cyt(o)-, -cyte	cell	Greek Template:Wikt-lang (Template:Grc-transl), a hollow, vessel	cytokine, leukocyte, cytoplasm

D

Affix	Meaning	Origin language and etymology	Example(s)
dacry(o)-	of or pertaining to tears	Greek Template:Wikt-lang, tear	dacryoadenitis, dacryocystitis
-dactyl(o)-	of or pertaining to a finger, toe	Greek Template:Wikt-lang (Template:Grc-transl), finger, toe	dactylology, polydactyly
de-	from, down, or away from	Latin Template:Wikt-lang	dehydrate, demonetize, demotion
dent-	of or pertaining to teeth	Latin Template:Wikt-lang, , tooth	dentifrice, dentist, dentition, dental
dermat(o)-, derm(o)-	of or pertaining to the skin	Greek Template:Wikt-lang (Template:Grc-transl), skin, human skin	dermatology, epidermis, hypodermic, xeroderma
-desis	binding	Greek Template:Wikt-lang (Template:Grc-transl)	arthrodesis
dextr(o)-	right, on the right side	Latin Template:Wikt-lang	dextrocardia
di-	two	Greek Template:Wikt-lang	diplopia,
di-, dif-, dis-	apart, separation, taking apart	Latin Template:Wikt-lang, Template:Wikt-lang, Template:Wikt-lang	dilation, distal, dilute, different, dissection
dia-	through, during, across	Greek Template:Wikt-lang (Template:Grc-transl), through, during, across	dialysis
digit-	of or pertaining to the finger [rare as a root]	Latin Template:Wikt-lang, finger, toe	digit
diplo-	twofold	Greek Template:Wikt-lang (Template:Grc-transl)	diploid, diplosis
-dipsia	(condition of) thirst	Greek Template:Wikt-lang (Template:Grc-transl)	dipsomania, hydroadipsia, oligodipsia, polydipsia
dors(o)-, dors(i)-	of or pertaining to the back	Latin Template:Wikt-lang, back	dorsal, dorsocephalad
dromo-	running, conduction, course	Greek Template:Wikt-lang (Template:Grc-transl)	dromotropic, syndrome
duodeno-	twelve	Latin Template:Wikt-lang	duodenal atresia, duodenum
dura-	hard	Latin Template:Wikt-lang	dura mater
dynam(o)-	force, energy, power	Greek Template:Wikt-lang (Template:Grc-transl)	hand strength dynamometer, dynamics
-dynia	pain	Greek Template:Wikt-lang (Template:Grc-transl)	vulvodynia
dys-	bad, difficult, defective, abnormal	Greek Template:Wikt-lang (Template:Grc-transl)	dysentery, dysphagia, dysphasia

E

Affix	Meaning	Origin language and etymology	Example(s)
-eal (see -al)	pertaining to	English -al, from Latin Template:Wikt-lang	adenohypophyseal, corneal, esophageal, perineal
ec-	out, away	Greek Template:Wikt-lang (Template:Grc-transl), out of, from	ectopia, ectopic pregnancy
Template:Not a typo	outer, outside	Greek Template:Wikt-lang (Template:Grc-transl)	ectoblast, ectoderm, ectoplasm
-ectasia, -ectasis	expansion, dilation	Greek Template:Wikt-lang (Template:Grc-transl)	bronchiectasis, telangiectasia
-ectomy	denotes a surgical operation or removal of a body part; resection, excision	Greek Template:Wikt-lang (Template:Grc-transl), excision	mastectomy
-edema	swelling	Greek Template:Wikt-lang (Template:Grc-transl), swelling	lymphedema, lipedema
-emesis	vomiting condition	Greek Template:Wikt-lang (Template:Grc-transl)	hematemesis
-emia	blood condition (Am. Engl.)	Greek Template:Wikt-lang (Template:Grc-transl), "blood"	anemia
encephal(o)-	of or pertaining to the brain; see also cerebro-	Greek Template:Wikt-lang (Template:Grc-transl), the brain	encephalogram
endo-	denotes something as inside or within	Greek Template:Wikt-lang (Template:Grc-transl), inside, internal	endocrinology, endospore, endoskeleton
eosin(o)-	having a red color	Greek Template:Wikt-lang (Template:Grc-transl), dawn, daybreak, morning red, goddess of the dawn (Template:Wikt-lang, Template:Grc-transl)	eosinophil granulocyte
enter(o)-	of or pertaining to the intestine	Greek Template:Wikt-lang (Template:Grc-transl), intestine	gastroenterology
epi-	on, upon	Greek Template:Wikt-lang (Template:Grc-transl), before, upon, on, outside, outside of	epicardium, epidermis, epidural, episclera, epistaxis, epidemic
episi(o)-	of or pertaining to the pubic region, the loins	Greek Template:Wikt-lang (Template:Grc-transl), the pubic area, loins; vulva	episiotomy
erythr(o)-	having a red color	Greek Template:Wikt-lang (Template:Grc-transl), red	erythrocyte
-esophageal, -esophago-	gullet (AmE)	Greek Template:Wikt-lang (Template:Grc-transl)	esophagus
esthesio-	sensation (AmE)	Greek Template:Wikt-lang (Template:Grc-transl), to perceive	esthesioneuroblastoma, esthesia
eu-	true, good, well, normal	Template:Wikt-lang (Template:Grc-transl)	eukaryote, euglycemia
ex-	out of, away from, to remove	Latin Template:Wikt-lang	excision, exsanguination
exo-	denotes something as "outside" another	Greek Template:Wikt-lang (Template:Grc-transl), outside of, external	exophthalmos, exoskeleton, exoplanet
extra-	outside	Latin Template:Wikt-lang, outside of, beyond	extradural hematoma extraordinary, extreme

F

Affix	Meaning	Origin language and etymology	Example(s)
faci-	of or pertaining to the face	Latin Template:Wikt-lang, the face, countenance	faciocardiorenal syndrome, facial
fibr-	fiber	Latin Template:Wikt-lang, fiber, filament, entrails	fibril, fibrin, fibrinous pericarditis, fibroblast, fibrosis
fil-	fine, hair-like	Latin Template:Wikt-lang, thread	myofilament, filum terminale
foramino-	hole, opening, or aperture, particularly in bone	Latin Template:Wikt-lang	foraminotomy
-form	used to form adjectives indicating "having the form of"	Latin Template:Wikt-lang, form, shape	cruciform, cuneiform, falciform
fore-	before or ahead	Old English Template:Wikt-lang, before, in front of	foregut
front-	of or pertaining to the forehead	Latin Template:Wikt-lang, , the forehead	frontotemporal dementia

G

Affix	Meaning	Origin language and etymology	Example(s)
galact-	milk	Greek Template:Wikt-lang, (Template:Grc-transl)	galactorrhea, galaxy
gastr-	of or pertaining to the stomach	Greek Template:Wikt-lang, (Template:Grc-transl), stomach, belly	gastroenterology, gastropod
-gen	*born in, from of a certain kind	Greek Template:Wikt-lang (Template:Grc-transl), from (Template:Grc-transl), to be born	*endogen heterogenous
-genic	formative; pertaining to producing	Greek Template:Wikt-lang (Template:Grc-transl)	cardiogenic shock
genu-	of or pertaining to the knee	Latin Template:Wikt-lang, knee	genu valgum
-geusia	taste	Greek Template:Wikt-lang (Template:Grc-transl)	ageusia, dysgeusia, hypergeusia, hypogeusia, parageusia
gingiv-	of or pertaining to the gums	Latin Template:Wikt-lang, gum	gingivitis
glauc(o)-	Having a grey or bluish-grey colour	Greek Template:Wikt-lang (Template:Grc-transl), grey, bluish-grey	glaucoma
gloss(o)-, glott(o)-	of or pertaining to the tongue	Greek Template:Wikt-lang, (Template:Grc-transl), tongue	glossology
gluco-	sweet	Greek Template:Wikt-lang (Template:Grc-transl), sweet	glucocorticoid, glucose
glyc-	sugar	Greek Template:Wikt-lang (Template:Grc-transl), sweet	glycolysis
gnath-	of or pertaining to the jaw	Greek Template:Wikt-lang (Template:Grc-transl), jaw	gnathodynamometer
-gnosis	knowledge	Greek Template:Wikt-lang (Template:Grc-transl), inquiry, knowledge	diagnosis, prognosis
gon-	seed, semen; reproductive	Greek Template:Wikt-lang (Template:Grc-transl), fruit, seed, procreating	gonorrhea
-gram, -gramme	record or picture	Greek Template:Wikt-lang (Template:Grc-transl), picture, letter, writing	angiogram, sonogram
-graph	instrument used to record data or picture	Greek Template:Wikt-lang (Template:Grc-transl), written, drawn, graphic interpretation	electrocardiograph, electromyograph
-graphy	process of recording	Greek Template:Wikt-lang (Template:Grc-transl), written, drawn, graphic interpretation	angiography
gyno-, gynaeco- (BrE), gyneco- (AmE)	woman	Greek Template:Wikt-lang, (Template:Grc-transl)	gynaecology, gynecomastia, gynoecium

H

Affix	Meaning	Origin language and etymology	Example(s)
halluc-	to wander in mind	Latin Template:Wikt-lang, to wander in mind	hallucinosis, hallucination
hem(at)-, haem(ato)-	of or pertaining to blood	Latin , from Greek Template:Wikt-lang, (Template:Grc-transl), blood	hematology, older form haematology
hema-, hemo-	blood (AmE)	Greek Template:Wikt-lang, (Template:Grc-transl), blood	hemal, hemoglobin
hemangi(o)-	blood vessels	Greek Template:Wikt-lang, (Template:Grc-transl), blood, + Template:Wikt-lang (Template:Grc-transl), vessel, urn	hemangioma
hemi-	one-half	Greek Template:Wikt-lang (Template:Grc-transl), half	cerebral hemisphere
hepat-, hepatic-	of or pertaining to the liver	Greek Template:Wikt-lang, (Template:Grc-transl), the liver	hepatology, hepatitis
heter(o)-	denotes something as "the other" (of two), as an addition, or different	Greek Template:Wikt-lang (Template:Grc-transl), the other (of two), another; different	heterogeneous
hidr(o)-	sweat	Greek Template:Wikt-lang, (Template:Grc-transl), sweat, perspiration	hyperhidrosis
hist(o)-, histio-	tissue	Greek Template:Wikt-lang (Template:Grc-transl), web, tissue	histology
home(o)-	similar	Greek Template:Wikt-lang (Template:Grc-transl), like, resembling, similar	homeopathy
hom(o)-	denotes something as "the same" as another or common	Greek Template:Wikt-lang (Template:Grc-transl), the same, common	homosexuality, homozygote, homophobic
Template:Not a typo	of or pertaining to the shoulder (or [rarely] the upper arm)	Latin Template:Wikt-lang, shoulder	humerus
hydr(o)-	water	Greek Template:Wikt-lang (Template:Grc-transl), water	hydrophobe, hydrogen
hyper-	extreme or beyond normal	Greek Template:Wikt-lang (Template:Grc-transl), over, above; beyond, to the extreme	hypertension, hypertrichosis
hyp(o)-	below normal	Greek Template:Wikt-lang, (Template:Grc-transl), below, under	hypovolemia, hypoxia
hyster(o)-	of or pertaining to the womb or the uterus	Greek Template:Wikt-lang (Template:Grc-transl), womb	hysterectomy, hysteria

I

Affix	Meaning	Origin language and etymology	Example(s)
-iasis	condition, formation, or presence of	Latin Template:Wikt-lang, pathological condition or process; from Greek Template:Wikt-lang (Template:Grc-transl), cure, repair, mend	mydriasis
iatr(o)-	of or pertaining to medicine or a physician (uncommon as a prefix but common as a suffix; see -iatry)	Greek Template:Wikt-lang (Template:Grc-transl), healer, physician	iatrochemistry, iatrogenesis
Template:Vanchor	denotes a field in medicine emphasizing a certain body component	Greek Template:Wikt-lang (Template:Grc-transl), healer, physician	podiatry, psychiatry
-ic	pertaining to	Greek Template:Wikt-lang (Template:Grc-transl)	hepatic artery
-ics	organized knowledge, treatment	Latin Template:Wikt-lang, collection of related things, theme; cognate with Greek Template:Wikt-lang (Template:Grc-transl), of, pertaining to	obstetrics
idio-	self, one's own	Greek Template:Wikt-lang (Template:Grc-transl), one's own	idiopathic
ileo-	ileum	Greek Template:Wikt-lang (Template:Grc-transl), to shut in, intestinal obstruction	ileocecal valve
ilio-	ilium	Latin Template:Wikt-lang	iliocostalis
infra-	below	Latin Template:Wikt-lang, below	infrahyoid muscles
inter-	between, among	Latin Template:Wikt-lang	interarticular ligament
intra-	within	Latin Template:Wikt-lang	intramural
ipsi-	same	Latin Template:Wikt-lang	ipsilateral
irid(o)-	of or pertaining to the iris	Latin Template:Wikt-lang, rainbow; from Greek Template:Wikt-lang (Template:Grc-transl), rainbow	iridectomy
isch-	restriction	Greek Template:Wikt-lang (Template:Grc-transl), hold back, restrain	ischemia
ischio-	of or pertaining to the ischium, the hip-joint	Greek Template:Wikt-lang (Template:Grc-transl), hip-joint, ischium	ischioanal fossa
-ine	of or pertaining to	Latin Template:Wikt-lang, of or pertaining to; cognate with Greek Template:Wikt-lang, added to form adjectives relating to material, time, and so on	morphine, masculine/Template:Wbrfeminine
-ism	condition, state of things, sometimes (though not necessarily) disease	Greek Template:Wikt-lang (Template:Grc-transl), suffix forming abstract nouns of state, condition, doctrine	bipedalism, organism, metabolism, giantism, dwarfism
-ismus	spasm, contraction	Greek	hemiballismus
iso-	equal	Greek Template:Wikt-lang (Template:Grc-transl), equal	isotonic
-ist	one who specializes in	Greek Template:Wikt-lang (Template:Grc-transl), agent noun, one who practices	pathologist
-ite	the nature of, resembling	Latin Template:Wikt-lang, those belonging to, from Greek Template:Wikt-lang (Template:Grc-transl)	dendrite
-itis	inflammation	Greek (Template:Grc-transl) fem. form of Template:Wikt-lang (Template:Grc-transl), pertaining to, because it was used with the feminine noun Template:Wikt-lang (Template:Grc-transl, disease), thus Template:Grc-transl, disease of the, disease pertaining to	tonsillitis
-ium	structure, tissue	Latin Template:Wikt-lang, aggregation or mass of (such as tissue)	pericardium

J–K

Affix	Meaning	Origin language and etymology	Example(s)
juxta-	near to, alongside, or next to	Latin Template:Wikt-lang	juxtaglomerular apparatus
kal-	potassium	New Latin Template:Wikt-lang, potassium	hyperkalemia
kary-	nucleus	Greek Template:Wikt-lang (Template:Grc-transl), nut	eukaryote
kerat-	cornea (eye or skin)	Greek Template:Wikt-lang (Template:Grc-transl), horn	keratoscope
kine-	movement	Greek Template:Wikt-lang (Template:Grc-transl), to move, to change	akinetopsia, kinesthesia
koil-	hollow	Greek Template:Wikt-lang (Template:Grc-transl)	koilocyte
kyph-	humped	Greek Template:Wikt-lang (Template:Grc-transl), bent forward, stooping, hunchbacked	kyphoscoliosis

L

Affix	Meaning	Origin language and etymology	Example(s)
labi-	of or pertaining to the lip	Latin Template:Wikt-lang, , lip	labiodental
lacrim(o)-	tear	Latin Template:Wikt-lang, tear from crying	Lacrimal canaliculi
lact(i)-, lact(o)	milk	Latin Template:Wikt-lang, milk	lactation, lactose
lapar(o)-	of or pertaining to the abdominal wall, flank	Greek Template:Wikt-lang (Template:Grc-transl), flank	laparotomy
laryng(o)-	of or pertaining to the larynx, the lower throat cavity where the voice box is	Greek Template:Wikt-lang, (Template:Grc-transl), throat, gullet	laryngoscopy
latero-	lateral	Latin Template:Wikt-lang, lateral, of or belonging to the side	lateral pectoral nerve
lei(o)-	smooth	Greek Template:Wikt-lang (Template:Grc-transl), smooth	leiomyoma
-lepsis, -lepsy	attack, seizure	Greek Template:Wikt-lang (Template:Grc-transl), seizure	epilepsy, narcolepsy
lept(o)-	light, slender	Greek Template:Wikt-lang (Template:Grc-transl), thin, lean	leptomeningeal
leuc(o)-, leuk(o)-	denoting a white color	Greek Template:Wikt-lang (Template:Grc-transl), white, bright, pale	leukocyte
lingu(a)-, lingu(o)-	of or pertaining to the tongue	Latin Template:Wikt-lang, tongue, speech, language	linguistics
lip(o)-	fat	Greek Template:Wikt-lang (Template:Grc-transl), fat, lard	liposuction
liss(os)-	smooth	Greek Template:Wikt-lang (Template:Grc-transl), smooth	lissencephaly
lith(o)-	stone, calculus	Greek Template:Wikt-lang (Template:Grc-transl)	lithotripsy
log(o)-	speech	Greek Template:Wikt-lang (Template:Grc-transl)	Logopenic progressive aphasia
-logist	denotes someone who studies a certain field (the field of _____-logy); a specialist; one who treats	Greek Template:Wikt-lang (Template:Grc-transl), studier, practitioner (lit., accountant)	oncologist, pathologist
-logy	denotes the academic study or practice of a certain field; the study of	Greek Template:Wikt-lang (Template:Grc-transl) base noun for the study of something	hematology, urology
lumb(o)-, lumb(a)-	of or relating to the part of the trunk between the lowest ribs and the pelvis.	Latin Template:Wikt-lang or , loin	lumbosacral plexus
lymph(o)-	lymph	Latin Template:Wikt-lang, water	lymphedema
lys(o)-, -lytic	dissolution	Greek Template:Wikt-lang (Template:Grc-transl), loosen, release, + -ic	lysosome
-lysis	destruction, separation	Greek Template:Wikt-lang (Template:Grc-transl), loosen, release	paralysis

M

Affix	Meaning	Origin language and etymology	Example(s)
macr(o)-	large, long	Greek Template:Wikt-lang (Template:Grc-transl), long, tall	macrophage
-malacia	softening	Greek Template:Wikt-lang (Template:Grc-transl), soft, weak, self-indulgent	osteomalacia
mamm(o)-	of or pertaining to the breast	Latin Template:Wikt-lang, breast, udder	mammogram
mammill(o)-	of or pertaining to the nipple	Latin Template:Wikt-lang, nipple	mammillaplasty, mammillitis
manu-	of or pertaining to the hand	Latin Template:Wikt-lang, hand	manufacture
mast(o)-	of or pertaining to the breast	Greek Template:Wikt-lang (Template:Grc-transl), breast, woman's breast, man's pectoral muscle	mastectomy
meg(a)-, megal(o)-, -megaly	enlargement, million	Greek Template:Wikt-lang (Template:Grc-transl), big, large, great, mighty	splenomegaly, megameter
melan(o)-	having a black color	Greek Template:Wikt-lang, (Template:Grc-transl), black, dark	melanin
melos	extremity	Greek Template:Wikt-lang (Template:Grc-transl), part of a body, limb, member	erythromelalgia
mening(o)-	membrane	Greek Template:Wikt-lang (Template:Grc-transl)	meninges, meningitis
men-	month, menstrual cycle	Greek Template:Wikt-lang (Template:Grc-transl), month	menopause, menorrhagia
mer(o)-	part	Greek Template:Wikt-lang (Template:Grc-transl), part, component, region	merocrine, meroblastic
mes-	middle	Greek Template:Wikt-lang (Template:Grc-transl), middle, between, half	mesoderm, mesothelium
met, meta-	after, beside, beyond or change	Greek Template:Wikt-lang (Template:Grc-transl), with, among, along with, in common with	metacarpal, metacarpus, metanephros, metatheria
-meter	instrument used to measure or count	Greek Template:Wikt-lang (Template:Grc-transl), measure or property, something used to measure	sphygmomanometer, thermometer
-metry	process of measuring, -meter + -y (see -meter)	Greek (Template:Grc-transl)	optometry
metr-	pertaining to conditions or instruments of the uterus	Greek Template:Wikt-lang (Template:Grc-transl), womb, uterus	metrorrhagia
micr-	millionth; denoting something as small, relating to smallness	Greek Template:Wikt-lang (Template:Grc-transl), small	microscope
milli-	thousandth	Latin Template:Wikt-lang, thousand	milliliter
mon-	single	Greek Template:Wikt-lang (Template:Grc-transl)	infectious mononucleosis
morph-	form, shape	Greek Template:Wikt-lang (Template:Grc-transl)	morphology
muscul(o)-	muscle	Latin Template:Wikt-lang, muscle (lit. mouse-like, due to mouse-shaped appearance of some muscles; loanword from Greek Template:Wikt-lang (Template:Grc-transl), mouse, + Latin Template:Wikt-lang, diminutive suffix)	musculoskeletal system
my(o)-	of or relating to muscle	Greek Template:Wikt-lang, (Template:Grc-transl), muscle, mouse, mussel	myoblast
myc(o)-	fungus	Greek Template:Wikt-lang, (Template:Grc-transl), mushroom or fungus	onychomycosis, otomycosis
myel(o)-	of or relating to bone marrow or the spinal cord	Greek Template:Wikt-lang (Template:Grc-transl), marrow, bone-marrow	myelin sheath, myeloblast
myl(o)-	of or relating to molar teeth or the lower jaw	Greek Template:Wikt-lang (Template:Grc-transl, mill, grind, molars	mylohyoid nerve
myring(o)-	eardrum	Latin Template:Wikt-lang, eardrum	myringotomy
myx(o)-	mucus	Greek Template:Wikt-lang (Template:Grc-transl), mucus, nasal discharge	myxoma

N

Affix	Meaning	Origin language and etymology	Example(s)
nan(o)-	dwarf, small	Greek Template:Wikt-lang (Template:Grc-transl), dwarf	nanogram, nanosecond
narc(o)-	numb, sleep	Greek Template:Wikt-lang (Template:Grc-transl), numbess, torpor	narcolepsy
nas(o)-	of or pertaining to the nose	Latin Template:Wikt-lang, nose	nasal
nat(o)-	birth	Latin Template:Wikt-lang, born, arisen, made	neonatology
necr(o)-	death	Greek Template:Wikt-lang (Template:Grc-transl), dead body, corpse, dying person	necrosis, necrotizing fasciitis
neo-	new	Greek Template:Wikt-lang (Template:Grc-transl), young, youthful, new, fresh	neoplasm
nephr(o)-	of or pertaining to the kidney	Greek Template:Wikt-lang (Template:Grc-transl), kidney	nephrology
nerv-	of or pertaining to nerves and the nervous system (uncommon as a root: neuro- mostly always used)	Latin Template:Wikt-lang, tendon, nerve; cognate with Greek (Template:Grc-transl), tendon, string, nerve	nerve, nervous system
neur-	of or pertaining to nerves and the nervous system	Greek Template:Wikt-lang (Template:Grc-transl), tendon, sinew, nerve	neurofibromatosis
noci-	pain, injury, hurt	Latin Template:Wikt-lang	nociception
norm-, normo-	normal	Latin Template:Wikt-lang, norm or standard; lit. carpenter's square	normocapnia

O

Affix	Meaning	Origin language and etymology	Example(s)
ocul-	of or pertaining to the eye	Latin Template:Wikt-lang, the eye	oculist
odont-	of or pertaining to teeth	Greek Template:Wikt-lang, (Template:Grc-transl), tooth	orthodontist
-odyn-	pain	Greek Template:Wikt-lang (Template:Grc-transl)	allodynia
-oesophageal, oesophago- (BrE)	gullet	Greek Template:Wikt-lang (Template:Grc-transl)	oesophagogastroduodenoscopy
-oid	resemblance to	Greek Template:Wikt-lang (Template:Grc-transl), like, connected to, pertaining to	sarcoidosis
ole	small or little	Latin Template:Wikt-lang, suffix to form a diminutive of the noun	arteriole
olig-	having little, having few	Greek Template:Wikt-lang (Template:Grc-transl), few	oligotrophy
om(o)-	shoulder	Greek Template:Wikt-lang (Template:Grc-transl), shoulder	omohyoid muscle
-oma (singular), -omata (plural)	tumor, mass, fluid collection	Greek Template:Wikt-lang (Template:Grc-transl), suffix added to verbs to form nouns indicating the result of a process or action; cf. English -tion	sarcoma, teratoma, mesothelioma
omphal(o)-	of or pertaining to the navel, the umbilicus	Greek Template:Wikt-lang (Template:Grc-transl), navel, belly-button	omphalotomy
onco-	tumor, bulk, volume	Greek Template:Wikt-lang (Template:Grc-transl)	oncology
-one			hormone
onych(o)-	of or pertaining to the nail (of a finger or toe)	Greek Template:Wikt-lang, (Template:Grc-transl), nail; claw; talon	onychophagy
oo-	of or pertaining to an (egg), a woman's egg, the ovum	Greek Template:Wikt-lang, (Template:Grc-transl), egg, ovum	oogenesis
oophor(o)-	of or pertaining to the woman's (ovary)	Neoclassical Greek Template:Wikt-lang (Template:Grc-transl), ovary, egg-bearing	oophorectomy
ophthalm(o)-	of or pertaining to the (eye)	Greek Template:Wikt-lang (Template:Grc-transl), the eye	ophthalmology
opistho-	back, behind, rear	Greek Template:Wikt-lang (Template:Grc-transl), behind, at the back	opisthotonus
-opsy	examination or inspection	Greek Template:Wikt-lang (Template:Grc-transl), view	biopsy, autopsy
optic(o)-	of or relating to chemical properties of the eye	Middle French Template:Wikt-lang; from Greek Template:Wikt-lang (Template:Grc-transl); cognate with Latin Template:Wikt-lang, relating to the eye	opticochemical
or(o)-	of or pertaining to the mouth	Latin Template:Wikt-lang, , mouth	oral
-or	one who, agent noun–forming suffix	generally appended where Latin would do it—to the root of a Latin-type perfect passive participle. Cf. -er	doctor
orchi(o)-, orchid(o)-, orch(o)-	testis	Greek Template:Wikt-lang (Template:Grc-transl), testicle, ovary	orchiectomy, orchidectomy
orth(o)-	denoting something as straight or correct	Greek Template:Wikt-lang (Template:Grc-transl), straight, correct, normal	orthodontist
-osis	a condition, disease, process or increase	Greek Template:Wikt-lang (Template:Grc-transl), state, abnormal condition, action	Harlequin type ichthyosis, psychosis, osteoporosis, phagocytosis
ossi-, osse-	bone, bony	Latin Template:Wikt-lang, bone	peripheral ossifying fibroma, osseous
ost(e)-, oste(o)-	bone	Greek Template:Wikt-lang (Template:Grc-transl), bone	osteoporosis, osteoarthritis
ot(o)-	of or pertaining to the ear	Greek Template:Wikt-lang, (Template:Grc-transl), the ear	otology, otosclerosis
-ous	pertaining to	Latin Template:Wikt-lang, full of, prone to	porous
ovari(o)-	of or pertaining to the ovaries	Latin Template:Wikt-lang, ovary	ovariectomy
ovo-, ovi-, ov-	of or pertaining to the eggs, the ovum	Latin Template:Wikt-lang, egg, ovum	ovogenesis, ovoviviparity
oxo-, ox/i	addition of oxygen	Greek Template:Wikt-lang, sharp, acid	oxidative phosphorylation
oxy-	sharp, acid, acute; oxygen	borrowed from French Template:Wikt-lang (originally , 'acidifying principle', referring to oxygen's role in the formation of acids, from Greek Template:Wikt-lang (Template:Grc-transl), sharp, pointed + Template:Wikt-lang (Template:Grc-transl), birth)	oxytocin, oxygenated, oxycodone

P

Affix	Meaning	Origin language and etymology	Example(s)
pachy-	thick	Greek Template:Wikt-lang (Template:Grc-transl), thick, large, stout	pachyderma, pachymeningitis
-pagus	Indicates conjoined twins, with the first part denoting the organs fused	Greek Template:Wikt-lang (Template:Grc-transl), fixed, set, fastened	xiphopagus, parapagus dicephalus, craniopagus parasiticus
palpebr-	of or pertaining to the eyelid (uncommon as a root)	Latin Template:Wikt-lang, eyelid	palpebration
pan-, pant(o)-	complete or containing everything, all	Greek Template:Wikt-lang, (Template:Grc-transl), all, every	panophobia, panopticon, pancytopenia
papill-	of or pertaining to the nipple (of the chest/breast)	Latin Template:Wikt-lang, nipple; diminutive of papula (see below)	papillitis
papul(o)-	small elevation or swelling in the skin, a pimple, swelling	Latin Template:Wikt-lang, pimple, pustle; a small elevation or swelling in the skin	papulation
para-	alongside of	Greek Template:Wikt-lang (Template:Grc-transl)	parathyroid
-paresis	slight paralysis	Greek Template:Wikt-lang (Template:Grc-transl)	hemiparesis
parvo-	small	Latin Template:Wikt-lang, small, little, unimportant	Parvovirus
path(o)-	disease	Greek Template:Wikt-lang (Template:Grc-transl), pain, suffering, condition	pathology
-pathy	disease or disorder	Greek Template:Wikt-lang (Template:Grc-transl), suffering, accident	sociopathy, neuropathy
pauci-	Few	Latin Template:Wikt-lang	pauci-immune
pector-	breast or chest	Latin Template:Wikt-lang	expectorant, pectoriloquy
ped-, -ped-, -pes	of or pertaining to the foot; -footed	Latin Template:Wikt-lang, , foot	pedoscope, orthopedic
ped-, pedo-	of or pertaining to the child	Greek Template:Wikt-lang, (Template:Grc-transl), child	pediatrics. pedophilia
pelv(i)-, pelv(o)-	hip bone	Latin Template:Wikt-lang, basin	abdominopelvic cavity
-penia	deficiency	Greek Template:Wikt-lang, poverty, indigence	osteopenia
peo-	of or pertaining to the penis	Greek Template:Wikt-lang (Template:Grc-transl)	peotomy
-pepsia	relating to digestion or the digestive tract.	Greek Template:Wikt-lang (Template:Grc-transl), cooked, digested < Template:Wikt-lang (Template:Grc-transl), I boil, cook; digest	dyspepsia
per-	through	Latin Template:Wikt-lang, through, by means of	percutaneous
peri-	surrounding or around	Greek Template:Wikt-lang (Template:Grc-transl), around, about, concerning	periodontal
-pexy	fixation	Greek Template:Wikt-lang (Template:Grc-transl), fixing in place, fastening	nephropexy
phaco-	lens-shaped	Greek Template:Wikt-lang (Template:Grc-transl), lentil-bean	phacolysis, phacoemulsification
Template:Vanchor, -phage	eating or ingestion	Greek (Template:Grc-transl) eating < Template:Wikt-lang (Template:Grc-transl), to eat	trichophagia
-phago-	eating, devouring	Greek Template:Wikt-lang (Template:Grc-transl), eater of, eating	phagocyte
phagist-	eater of	Greek (Template:Grc-transl) eater; see -phagia	geophagist
-phagy	feeding on	Greek φαγία () eating; see -phagia	hematophagy
phall-	phallus	Greek Template:Wikt-lang (Template:Grc-transl), penis	aphallia
pharmac-	drug, medication	Greek Template:Wikt-lang (Template:Grc-transl), witchcraft, drug	pharmacology
pharyng-	pertaining to the pharynx	Greek Template:Wikt-lang, (Template:Grc-transl), throat, windpipe; chasm	pharyngitis, pharyngotonsillitis
-phil(ia)	attraction for	Greek Template:Wikt-lang (Template:Grc-transl), friendship, love, affection	hemophilia
phleb-	of or pertaining to the (blood) veins, a vein	Greek Template:Wikt-lang, (Template:Grc-transl), blood-vessel, vein	phlebography, phlebotomy
-phobia	exaggerated fear, sensitivity, aversion	Greek Template:Wikt-lang (Template:Grc-transl), terror, fear, flight, panic	arachnophobia
phon-	sound	Greek Template:Wikt-lang (Template:Grc-transl)	phonocardiogram
phos-	of or pertaining to light or its chemical properties, now historic and used rarely. See the common root phot- below.	Greek , Template:Wikt-lang, φωτ- (Template:Grc-transl), light	phosphene
Template:Vanchor	of or pertaining to light	Greek (Template:Grc-transl), < Template:Wikt-lang (Template:Grc-transl), light	photophobia
phren-, phrenic-	the mind	Greek Template:Wikt-lang (Template:Grc-transl), intellect, wits, mind	phrenic nerve, schizophrenia
phyllo-	leaf-like	Greek Template:Wikt-lang (Template:Grc-transl), leaf, foliage, plant	phyllodes tumour, theophylline
-phyte, phyto-	to grow	Greek Template:Wikt-lang (Template:Grc-transl), plant, tree	enthesophyte
piri-	pear-shaped	Latin Template:Wikt-lang, cognate with Greek Template:Wikt-lang (Template:Grc-transl), pear	piriformis muscle
-plasia	formation, development	Greek Template:Wikt-lang (Template:Grc-transl), moulding, conformation	achondroplasia
-plasty	surgical repair, reconstruction	Greek Template:Wikt-lang (Template:Grc-transl), molded, formed	rhinoplasty
-plegia	paralysis	Greek Template:Wikt-lang (Template:Grc-transl), stroke (from a sword), from Template:Wikt-lang (Template:Grc-transl), to strike or smite	paraplegia
pleio-	more, excessive, multiple	Greek Template:Wikt-lang (Template:Grc-transl), more	pleiotropic
pleur-	of or pertaining to the ribs	Greek Template:Wikt-lang (Template:Grc-transl), rib, side of the body	pleuropneumonia
-plexy	stroke or seizure	Greek Template:Wikt-lang, (Template:Grc-transl), to strike or smite	cataplexy
pne-, pneum-	air, breath, lung	Greek Template:Wikt-lang (Template:Grc-transl), Template:Wikt-lang (Template:Grc-transl), (Template:Grc-transl)	apnea, pneumatology, pneumonocyte, pneumonia
pod-, -pod-, -pus	of or pertaining to the foot, -footed	Greek Template:Wikt-lang (Template:Grc-transl), foot	podiatry
-poiesis	production	Greek Template:Wikt-lang (Template:Grc-transl), poetry, poem, creation	hematopoiesis
polio-	having a grey color	Greek Template:Wikt-lang (Template:Grc-transl), grey, grizzled	poliomyelitis
poly-	many	Greek Template:Wikt-lang (Template:Grc-transl), many, a lot of, large, great	polymyositis
por-	pore, porous	Greek Template:Wikt-lang (Template:Grc-transl), passage, passageway	osteoporosis
porphyr-	purple color	Greek Template:Wikt-lang (Template:Grc-transl), Tyrian purple, royal purple	porphyria
post-	after or behind	Latin Template:Wikt-lang, after, behind	postprandial, postmortem
pre-	before in position or time	Middle English , from Medieval Latin < (Classical) Latin Template:Wikt-lang, before, in front of	premature birth
presby-	old age	Greek Template:Wikt-lang (Template:Grc-transl), old man, elder	presbyopia, presbycusis
prim-	first or most important	Latin Template:Wikt-lang, first, most important	primiparous
pro-	before	Greek Template:Wikt-lang (Template:Grc-transl), before, in front of	prodromal
proct-	anus, rectum	Greek Template:Wikt-lang (Template:Grc-transl), anus	proctology
prosop-	face	Greek Template:Wikt-lang (Template:Grc-transl), face, visage, mask	prosopagnosia
prot-	first or most important	Greek Template:Wikt-lang (Template:Grc-transl), first; principal, most important	protoplasm
pseud-	false or fake	Greek Template:Wikt-lang (Template:Grc-transl), to lie or deceive	pseudoephedrine
psor-	Itching	Greek Template:Wikt-lang (Template:Grc-transl), itch, mange, scurvy	psoriasis
psych-	of or pertaining to the mind	Greek Template:Wikt-lang (Template:Grc-transl), breath, life, soul	psychology, psychiatry
ptero-, ptery-, pterygo-	Pertaining to a wing	Greek Template:Wikt-lang (Template:Grc-transl), wing, feather	lateral pterygoid plate
-ptosis	falling, drooping, downward placement, prolapse	Greek Template:Wikt-lang (Template:Grc-transl), falling	apoptosis, nephroptosis
-ptyal-, ptyalo	saliva, salivary glands		ptyalolithiasis
-ptysis	spitting	Greek Template:Wikt-lang (Template:Grc-transl), to spit up, disgorge; + Template:Wikt-lang (Template:Grc-transl).	hemoptysis
pulmon-, pulmo-	of or relating to the lungs	Latin Template:Wikt-lang, a lung	pulmonary
py-	pus	Greek Template:Wikt-lang (Template:Grc-transl), pus	pyometra
pyel-	pelvis	Greek Template:Wikt-lang (Template:Grc-transl), pelvis, wash basin	pyelonephritis
pykno-	to thicken (as the nucleus does in early stages of cell death)	Greek Template:Wikt-lang (Template:Grc-transl), thickening	pyknosis
pylor-	gate	Greek Template:Wikt-lang (Template:Grc-transl), gate keeper; lower orifice of the stomach	pyloric sphincter
pyr-	fever	Greek Template:Wikt-lang, Template:Wikt-lang (Template:Grc-transl), fire, heat, fever	antipyretic

Q–R

Affix	Meaning	Origin language and etymology	Example(s)
quadr(i)-	four	Latin Template:Wikt-lang	quadriceps
radi-	radiation	Latin Template:Wikt-lang, I radiate, emit beams; from Template:Wikt-lang, ray of light, spoke of a wheel	radiowave
radic-	referring to the beginning, or the root, of a structure, usually a nerve or a vein	Latin Template:Wikt-lang, root	radiculopathy
re-	again, back	Latin Template:Wikt-lang	relapse
rect-	rectum	abbr. of New Latin ('straight intestine') < Latin Template:Wikt-lang, straight	rectal, rectum, rectus femoris
ren(o)	of or pertaining to the kidney	Latin Template:Wikt-lang, kidney	renal
reticul(o)-	net	Latin Template:Wikt-lang	reticulocyte
retro-	backward, behind	Latin Template:Wikt-lang	retroversion, retroverted
rhabd(o)-	rod shaped, striated	Greek Template:Wikt-lang (Template:Grc-transl), wand, stick, stripe	rhabdomyolysis
rhachi(o)-	spine	Greek Template:Wikt-lang (Template:Grc-transl), spine or backbone	rachial, rachialgia, rachidian, rachiopathy
rhin(o)-	of or pertaining to the nose	Greek Template:Wikt-lang, (Template:Grc-transl), nose	rhinoceros, rhinoplasty, rhinovirus
rhod(o)-	denoting a rose-red color	Greek Template:Wikt-lang (Template:Grc-transl), rose	rhodophyte
-rrhage, -rrhagia	burst forth, rapid flow (of blood, usually)	Greek Template:Wikt-lang (Template:Grc-transl), to break, to burst	hemorrhage, menorrhagia
-rrhaphy	surgical suturing	Greek Template:Wikt-lang (Template:Grc-transl)	hymenorrhaphy, neurorrhaphy
-rrhea (AmE)	flowing, discharge	Greek Template:Wikt-lang (Template:Grc-transl), flow, flux	galactorrhea, diarrhea
-rrhexis	rupture	Greek Template:Wikt-lang (Template:Grc-transl), breaking, bursting, discharge	karyorrhexis
-rrhoea (BrE)	flowing, discharge	Greek Template:Wikt-lang (Template:Grc-transl), flow, flux	diarrhoea
rubr(o)-	of or pertaining to the red nucleus of the brain	Latin Template:Wikt-lang, red	rubrospinal
-rupt	break or burst	Latin Template:Wikt-lang	erupt, interrupt

S

Affix	Meaning	Origin language and etymology	Example(s)
salping(o)-	of or pertaining to tubes, e.g. fallopian tubes	Greek Template:Wikt-lang, , (Template:Grc-transl), trumpet	salpingectomy, salpingopharyngeus muscle
sangui-, sanguine-	of or pertaining to blood	Latin Template:Wikt-lang, blood	sanguine
sapro-	relating to putrefaction or decay	Greek Template:Wikt-lang (Template:Grc-transl), rotten, putrid	saprogenic
sarco-	muscular, flesh-like	Greek Template:Wikt-lang (Template:Grc-transl), flesh	sarcoma, sarcoidosis
scapul(o)-	of or pertaining to the scapula	Latin (Template:Wikt-lang), shoulder	scapulothoracic, facioscapulohumeral muscular dystrophy
schist(o)-	split, cleft	Greek Template:Wikt-lang (Template:Grc-transl), cloven, divided	schistocyte
schiz(o)-	denoting something "split" or "double-sided"	Greek Template:Wikt-lang (Template:Grc-transl), to split, cleave, part	schizophrenia
scler(o)-	hard	Greek Template:Wikt-lang (Template:Grc-transl)	scleroderma
-sclerosis	hardening	Greek Template:Wikt-lang (Template:Grc-transl), hard, harden; + Template:Wikt-lang (Template:Grc-transl), added to verb stems to form abstract nouns or nouns of action, result or process	atherosclerosis, multiple sclerosis
scoli(o)-	twisted	Greek Template:Wikt-lang (Template:Grc-transl), curved, bent	scoliosis
-scope	instrument for viewing	Greek Template:Wikt-lang (Template:Grc-transl), watcher	stethoscope
-scopy	process of viewing	Greek Template:Wikt-lang (Template:Grc-transl), to look at, behold, examine	endoscopy
scoto-	darkness	Greek Template:Wikt-lang (Template:Grc-transl)	scotopic vision
semi-	one-half, partly	Latin Template:Wikt-lang	semiconscious
sial(o)-	saliva, salivary gland	Latin Template:Wikt-lang, saliva.	sialagogue
sigmoid(o)-	sigmoid, S-shaped curvature	Greek Template:Wikt-lang (Template:Grc-transl), crescent-shaped, lunate sigma-shaped	sigmoid colon
sinistr(o)-	left, left side	Latin Template:Wikt-lang	sinistrocardia
sinus-	of or pertaining to the sinus	Latin Template:Wikt-lang, a curve, bend, hollow cavity, bosom	sinusitis
sito-	food, grain	Greek Template:Wikt-lang (Template:Grc-transl)	sitophobia
somat(o)-, somatico-	body, bodily	Greek Template:Wikt-lang (Template:Grc-transl)	somatic
somn(o)	Sleep	Latin Template:Wikt-lang, sleep, drowsiness	insomniac
-spadias	slit, fissure	Greek Template:Wikt-lang (Template:Grc-transl), break, split	hypospadias, epispadias
spasmo-	spasm	Greek Template:Wikt-lang (Template:Grc-transl)	Spasmodic dysphonia
sperma-, spermo-, spermato-	semen, spermatozoa	Greek Template:Wikt-lang (Template:Grc-transl), seed, semen	spermatogenesis
splanchn(i)-, splanchn(o)-	viscera	Greek Template:Wikt-lang (Template:Grc-transl), bowels, guts	splanchnology
splen(o)-	spleen	Greek Template:Wikt-lang, (Template:Grc-transl), spleen, milt	splenectomy
spondyl(o)-	of or pertaining to the spine, the vertebra	Greek Template:Wikt-lang / (Template:Grc-transl), the spine	spondylitis
squamos(o)-	denoting something as "full of scales" or "scaly"	Latin Template:Wikt-lang, full of scales, scaly	squamous cell
-stalsis	contraction	Greek Template:Wikt-lang (Template:Grc-transl), I dispatch, place, set	peristalsis
-stasis	stopping, standing	Greek Template:Wikt-lang (Template:Grc-transl), to stand, place, set	cytostasis, homeostasis
-statin	maintain cholesterol	Latin (stare), to remain or instill	Statin
-staxis	dripping, trickling	Greek Template:Wikt-lang, (Template:Grc-transl), drip, leak, trickle	epistaxis
sten(o)-	denoting something as narrow in shape or pertaining to narrowness	Greek Template:Wikt-lang (Template:Grc-transl), narrow, short	stenography
-stenosis	abnormal narrowing of a blood vessel or other tubular organ or structure	Greek Template:Wikt-lang (Template:Grc-transl), narrow, short; + Template:Wikt-lang (Template:Grc-transl), added to verb stems to form abstract nouns or nouns of action, result or process	restenosis, stenosis
steth-	of or pertaining to the upper chest, the area above the breast and under the neck	Greek Template:Wikt-lang (Template:Grc-transl), chest, cuirass	stethoscope
stheno-	strength, force, power	Greek Template:Wikt-lang (Template:Grc-transl)
stom-, stomat-	of or pertaining to the mouth; an artificially created opening	Greek Template:Wikt-lang, (Template:Grc-transl), mouth	stomatogastric, stomatognathic system
-stomy	creation of an opening	New Latin Template:Wikt-lang, opening; from Greek Template:Wikt-lang (Template:Grc-transl)	colostomy
sub-	beneath, under	Latin Template:Wikt-lang	subcutaneous tissue
super-	in excess, above, superior	Latin Template:Wikt-lang	superior vena cava
supra-	above, excessive	Latin Template:Wikt-lang	supraorbital vein
sy, syl-, sym-, syn-, sys-	indicates similarity, likeness, or being together; assimilates before some consonants: before l to syl-, s to sys-, before a labial consonant to sym-	Greek Template:Wikt-lang (Template:Grc-transl), with, together	symptom, synalgia, synesthesia, syssarcosis

T

Affix	Meaning	Origin language and etymology	Example(s)
tachy-	denoting something as fast, irregularly fast	Greek Template:Wikt-lang (Template:Grc-transl), fast, quickly	tachycardia, tachypnea
-tension, -tensive	pressure	Latin Template:Wikt-lang, stretching, extension, tension	hypertension
terato-	Monster	Greek Template:Wikt-lang (Template:Grc-transl)	teratoma, teratogen
tetan-	rigid, tense	Greek Template:Wikt-lang (Template:Grc-transl)	tetanus
thec-	case, sheath	Greek Template:Wikt-lang (Template:Grc-transl)	intrathecal
thel-	of or pertaining to a nipple (uncommon as a prefix)	Greek Template:Wikt-lang (Template:Grc-transl), a teat, nipple	Theleplasty, thelarche
thely-	denoting something as relating to a woman, feminine	Greek Template:Wikt-lang (Template:Grc-transl), female, feminine	Thelygenous
therap-	treatment	Greek Template:Wikt-lang (Template:Grc-transl)	hydrotherapy, therapeutic
therm(o)-	heat	Greek Template:Wikt-lang (Template:Grc-transl)	hypothermia, thermoregulation
thorac(i)-, thorac(o)-, thoracico-	of or pertaining to the upper chest, chest; the area above the breast and under the neck	Latin Template:Wikt-lang < Greek Template:Wikt-lang (Template:Grc-transl), chest, cuirass	thoracic spine, thorax
thromb(o)-	of or relating to a blood clot, clotting of blood	Greek Template:Wikt-lang (Template:Grc-transl), lump, piece, clot of blood	thrombus, thrombocytopenia
thyr(o)-	thyroid	Greek Template:Wikt-lang (Template:Grc-transl), large oblong shield; + Template:Wikt-lang (Template:Grc-transl), a form or shape
thym-	emotions	Greek Template:Wikt-lang (Template:Grc-transl), spirit, soul; courage; breath, mind, emotions	dysthymia
-tic	pertaining to	Greek Template:Wikt-lang (Template:Grc-transl), adjective-forming suffix denoting: relating to, able to, suited to
-tide	bound to, forming a noun from an adjective by dropping -ic and adding -tide.	Greek Template:Wikt-lang (Template:Grc-transl), adjective-forming suffix denoting: bound to, relating to, able to, suited to	Glycopeptide Nucleotide Peptide
toco-	childbirth	Greek Template:Wikt-lang (Template:Grc-transl)	tocolytic, dystocia
-tome	cutting instrument	Greek Template:Wikt-lang (Template:Grc-transl), intersection	osteotome
-tomy	act of cutting; incising, incision	Greek Template:Wikt-lang (Template:Grc-transl)	Gastrotomy, Phlebotomy
ton-	tone, tension, pressure	Greek Template:Wikt-lang (Template:Grc-transl), rope, cord; tension	Tonicity, Isotonic saline
-tony	tension	Greek (Template:Grc-transl)	Hypotonia
top(o)-	place, topical	Greek Template:Wikt-lang (Template:Grc-transl)	Topical anesthetic
tort(i)-	twisted	Latin Template:Wikt-lang	Torticollis, Testicular torsion
tox(i)-, tox(o)-, toxic(o)-	toxin, poison	Greek Template:Wikt-lang (Template:Grc-transl), bow (archery), bow-related; from Greek (Template:Grc-transl), poison for smearing arrows with	Toxoplasmosis, Toxidrome
trache(a)-	trachea	Greek Template:Wikt-lang (Template:Grc-transl), windpipe	Tracheotomy
trachel(o)-	of or pertaining to the neck	Greek Template:Wikt-lang (Template:Grc-transl), neck	Tracheloplasty
trans-	denoting something as moving or situated across or through	Latin Template:Wikt-lang, across, through	Transfusion
tri-	three	Latin Template:Wikt-lang	Triceps, Trisomy
trich(i)-, trichia, trich(o)-	of or pertaining to hair, hair-like structure	Greek Template:Wikt-lang (Template:Grc-transl), hair	Trichocyst
-tripsy	crushing	Greek Template:Wikt-lang (Template:Grc-transl), rubbing, friction	Lithotripsy
-trophy	nourishment, development	Greek Template:Wikt-lang (Template:Grc-transl), food, nourishment	Pseudohypertrophy
-trop	turned toward, with an orientation toward, having an affinity for, affecting	Greek Template:Wikt-lang (Template:Grc-transl), a turn, way, manner, style	Geotropic, Phototropic
tympan(o)-	eardrum	Greek Template:Wikt-lang (Template:Grc-transl), drum, eardrum	Tympanocentesis, Tensor tympani

U

Affix	Meaning	Origin language and etymology	Example(s)
-ula, -ule	small	Latin	Nodule
ultra-	beyond, excessive	Latin Template:Wikt-lang	ultrasound, ultraviolet
umbilic-	of or pertaining to the navel, the umbilicus	Latin Template:Wikt-lang, navel, belly-button	umbilical
ungui-	of or pertaining to the nail, a claw	Latin Template:Wikt-lang, nail, claw	unguiform, ungual
un(i)-	one	Latin Template:Wikt-lang	unilateral hearing loss
ur-	of or pertaining to urine, the urinary system	Greek (Template:Grc-transl); Template:Wikt-lang (Template:Grc-transl), urine	antidiuretic, diuresis, diuretic, dysuria, enuresis, polyurea, polyuria, uraemia/uremia, uremic, ureter, urethra, urology
urin-	of or pertaining to urine, the urinary system	Latin Template:Wikt-lang, urine < Greek (Template:Grc-transl), see ur- above.	uriniferous
uter(o)-	of or pertaining to the uterus or womb	Latin Template:Wikt-lang, womb, uterus	uterus

V

Affix	Meaning	Origin language and etymology	Example(s)
vagin-	of or pertaining to the vagina	Latin Template:Wikt-lang, sheath, scabbard; vagina	vaginal epithelium
varic(o)-	swollen or twisted vein	Latin Template:Wikt-lang	varicose, esophageal varices
vas(o)-	duct, blood vessel	Latin Template:Wikt-lang, vessel, dish, vase	vasoconstriction
vasculo-	blood vessel	Latin Template:Wikt-lang	cardiovascular
ven-	of or pertaining to the veins, venous blood, and the vascular system	Latin Template:Wikt-lang, blood-vessel, vein	venule, venospasm
ventr(o)-	of or pertaining to the belly, the stomach cavities	Latin Template:Wikt-lang, belly, stomach, womb	ventrodorsal
ventricul(o)-	of or pertaining to the ventricles; any hollow region inside an organ	Latin Template:Wikt-lang, the ventricles of the heart, the ventricles of the brain	cardiac ventriculography, atrioventricular node
-version	turning	Latin Template:Wikt-lang	anteversion, retroversion
vesic(o)-	of or pertaining to the bladder	Latin Template:Wikt-lang, bladder, blister	vesical arteries
viscer(o)-	of or pertaining to the internal organs, the viscera	Latin Template:Wikt-lang (pl. ), internal organ(s)	viscera

X–Z

Affix	Meaning	Origin language and etymology	Example(s)
xanth(o)-	having a yellow color, especially an abnormally yellow color	Greek Template:Wikt-lang (Template:Grc-transl), yellow	xanthopathy xanthelasma
xen(o)-	foreign, different	Greek Template:Wikt-lang (Template:Grc-transl), foreign, stranger	xenograft
xer(o)-	dry, desert-like	Greek Template:Wikt-lang (Template:Grc-transl), dry	xerostomia, xeroderma
xiph-	sword	Greek Template:Wikt-lang (Template:Grc-transl), sword	xiphisternum, xiphoid, xiphoidalgia
-y	condition or process of	Latin Template:Wikt-lang, from Greek Template:Wikt-lang, Template:Wikt-lang (Template:Grc-transl), suffixes used to form abstract nouns	surgery
ze-	boil	Greek Template:Wikt-lang (Template:Grc-transl), to boil, seethe, bubble	eczema
zo(o)-	animal, animal life	Greek Template:Wikt-lang (Template:Grc-transl)	zoology
zym(o)-	fermentation	Greek Template:Wikt-lang (Template:Grc-transl), leaven, yeast	enzyme, lysozyme

English meanings

This section contains lists of different root classification (e.g. body components, quantity, description, etc.). Each list is alphabetized by English meanings, with the corresponding Greek and Latin roots given.

Roots of the body

Roots of bodily concepts

Bodily concept	Greek root in English	Latin root in English	Other root in English
digestion	-pepsia	–	–
disease	-pathy	–	–
eating	-phagia	-vory	–

Body parts and substances

Body part or component	Greek root in English	Latin root in English	Other root in English
abdomen	Template:Wikt-lang	abdomin-	–
aorta	aort-	–	–
arm	Template:Wikt-lang	arm-	–
armpit	Template:Wikt-lang	axill-	–
artery	Template:Wikt-lang	–	–
back	Template:Wikt-lang	dors-	–
big toe	–	allic-, hallic-	–
bladder	Template:Wikt-lang	vesic-	–
blood	Template:Wikt-lang (Br. English); hem(at)- (Am. English)	sangui-, sanguin-	–
blood clot	Template:Wikt-lang	–	–
blood vessel	angi-	vas-, vascul-	–
body	Template:Wikt-lang, somat-	corpor-	–
bone	Template:Wikt-lang	ossi-	–
bone marrow, marrow	Template:Wikt-lang	medull-	–
brain	encephal-	cerebr-	–
breast	Template:Wikt-lang	mamm-	–
chest	Template:Wikt-lang	pector-	–
cheek	parei-	bucc-	–
ear	Template:Wikt-lang	aur(i)-	–
eggs, ova	oo-	ov-	–
eye	ophthalm(o)-	ocul(o)-	optic(o)- (French)
eyelid	blephar(o)-	cili-, palpebr-	–
face	prosop(o)-	faci(o)-	–
fallopian tubes	salping(o)-	–	–
fat, fatty tissue	lip(o)-	adip-	–
finger	dactyl(o)-	digit-	–
forehead	–	front(o)-	–
gallbladder	cholecyst(o)-	fell-	–
genitals, sexually undifferentiated	gon(o)-, phall(o)-	–	–
gland	aden(o)-	–	–
glans penis or clitoridis	balan(o)-	–	–
gums	–	gingiv-	–
hair	trich(o)-	capill-	–
hands	cheir(o)-, chir(o)-	manu-	–
head	cephal(o)-	capit(o)-	–
heart	cardi(o)-	cordi-	–
hip, hip-joint	–	cox-	–
horn	cerat(o)-	cornu-	–
intestine	enter(o)-	–	–
jaw	gnath(o)-	–	–
kidney	nephr(o)-	ren-	–
knee	gon-	genu-	–
lip	cheil(o)-, chil(o)-	labi(o)-	–
liver	hepat(o)-	jecor-	–
loins, pubic region	episi(o)-	pudend-	–
lungs	pneumon-	pulmon(i)-, (pulmo-)	–
marrow, bone marrow	myel(o)-	medull-	–
mind	psych-	ment-	–
mouth	stomat(o)-	or-	–
muscle	my(o)-	–	–
nail	onych(o)-	ungui-	–
navel	omphal(o)-	umbilic-	–
neck	trachel(o)-	cervic-	–
nerve; the nervous system	neur(o)-	nerv-	–
nipple, teat	thele-	papill-, mammill-	–
nose	rhin(o)-	nas-	–
ovary	oophor(o)-	ovari(o)-	–
pelvis	pyel(o)-	pelv(i)-	–
penis	pe(o)-	–	–
pupil (of the eye)	cor-, core-, coro-	–	–
rib	pleur(o)-	cost(o)-	–
rib cage	thorac(i)-, thorac(o)-	–	–
shoulder	om(o)-	Template:Not a typo(o)-	–
sinus	–	sinus-	–
skin	derm-, dermat(o)-	cut-, cuticul-	–
skull	crani(o)-	–	–
stomach	gastr(o)-	ventr(o)-	–
testis	orchi(o)-, orchid(o)-	–	–
throat (upper throat cavity)	pharyng(o)-	–	–
throat (lower throat cavity/voice box)	laryng(o)-	–	–
thumb	–	pollic-	–
tooth	odont(o)-	dent(i)-	–
tongue	gloss-, glott-	lingu(a)-	–
toe	dactyl(o)-	digit-	–
tumour	cel-, onc(o)-	tum-	–
ureter	ureter(o)-	ureter(o)-	–
urethra	urethr(o)-, urethr(a)-	urethr(o)-, urethr(a)-	–
urine, urinary system	ur(o)-	urin(o)-	–
uterine tubes	salping(o)-	salping(o)-	–
uterus	hyster(o)-, metr(o)-	uter(o)-	–
vagina	colp(o)-	vagin-	–
vein	phleb(o)-	ven-	–
vulva	episi(o)-	vulv-	–
womb	hyster(o)-, metr(o)-	uter(o)-	–
wrist	carp(o)-	carp(o)-	–

Roots of color

Color	Greek root in English	Latin root in English	Other root in English
black	Template:Wikt-lang	atr-, nigr-	–
blue	Template:Wikt-lang	cerule-	–
gold	Template:Wikt-lang	aur-	–
gray, grey	Template:Wikt-lang	can-	–
green	Template:Wikt-lang	vir-	–
purple	porphyr-	purpur-, purpureo-	–
red	Template:Wikt-lang, rhod-	rub-, rubr-, ruf-	–
red-orange	cirrh-	–	–
silver	–	argent-	–
white	leuc-, leuk-	alb-, cand-	–
yellow	Template:Wikt-lang	flav-	jaun- (French)

Roots of description

Description	Greek root in English	Latin root in English	Other root in English
bad, incorrect	cac-, dys-	mal-	mis-
bent, crooked	ankyl-	prav-	–
big	mega-, megal(o)-	magn(i)-	–
biggest	megist-	maxim-	–
broad, wide	eury-	lat(i)-	–
cold	cry(o)-	frig(i)-	–
dead	necr(o)-	mort-	–
equal	is(o)-	equ(i)-	–
false	pseud(o)-	fals(i)-	–
fast	tachy-	celer-	–
female, feminine	thely-	–	–
flat	platy-	plan(i)-	–
good, well	eu-	ben(e)-, bon(i)-	–
great	mega-, megal(o)-	magn(i)-	–
hard	scler(o)-	dur(i)-	–
heavy	bar(o)-	grav(i)-	–
hollow	coel(o)-	cav(i)-	–
huge	megal(o)-	magn(i)-	–
irregular	poikil(o)	–	–
large; extremely large	mega-	magn(i)-	–
largest	megist-	maxim-	–
long	macr(o)-	long(i)-	–
male, masculine	arseno-	vir-	–
narrow	sten(o)-	angust(i)-	–
new	ne(o)-	nov(i)-	–
normal, correct	orth(o)-	rect(i)-	–
old	paleo-	veter-	–
sharp	oxy-	ac-	–
short	brachy-	brev(i)-	–
small	micr(o)-	parv(i)- (rare)	–
smallest	–	minim-	–
slow	brady-	tard(i)-	–
soft	malac(o)-	moll(i)-	–
straight	orth(o)-	rect(i)-	–
thick	pachy-	crass(i)-	–
varied, various	poikilo-	vari-	–

Roots of position

Description	Greek root in English	Latin root in English	Other root in English
around, surrounding	peri-	circum-	–
internal, within	endo-	intra-	–
left	levo-	laev-, sinistr-	–
middle	meso-, mes-	medi-	–
right	dexi-	dex-, dextr-, dextro-	–

Prefixes of quantity or amount

Description	Greek root in English	Latin root in English	Other root in English
double	diplo-	dupli-	–
equal	iso-	equi-	–
few	oligo-	pauci-	–
half	hemi-	semi-	demi- (French)
many, much	poly-	multi-	–
twice	dis-	bis-	–

See also

• Glossary of medicine
• Classical compound
• International scientific vocabulary
• List of medical abbreviations
• Medical dictionary
• Medicine
• List of commonly used taxonomic affixes

External links

• "Root Words & Prefixes: Quick Reference." LearnThatWord. N.p., n.d. Web. 3 March 2013.