Medical Terminology Prefixes and Definitions

Front

Prefix: a-

Back

Meaning: without Example Term: apnea

Front

Prefix: hypo-

Back

Meaning: under, below Example Term: hypoglycemia

Front

Definition of Prefix

Back

A word part added to the beginning of a term to modify its meaning.

Front

Definition of Root

Back

The core part of the word that contains its primary meaning.

Front

Prefix: anti-

Back

Meaning: against

Example Term: Antibiotic

Front

Prefix: dys-

Back

Meaning: difficult, painful

Example Term: Dysphagia

Front

Prefix: hyper-

Back

Meaning: excessive

Example Term: Hypertension

Front

Prefix: hypo-

Back

Meaning: under, below

Example Term: Hypoglycemia

Front

gastro

Back

stomach (Example: gastroscopy)

Front

thorac

Back

chest (Example: thoracotomy)