List of medical roots, suffixes and prefixes

This is a list of roots, suffixes, and prefixes used in medical terminology, their meanings, and their etymology. There are a few rules when using medical roots. Firstly, prefixes and suffixes, primarily in Greek, but also in Latin, have a droppable -o-. As a general rule, this -o- almost always acts as a joint-stem to connect two consonantal roots, e.g. arthr- + -o- + logy = arthrology. But generally, the -o- is dropped when connecting to a vowel-stem; e.g. arthr- + itis = arthritis, instead of arthr-o-itis. Secondly, medical roots generally go together according to language: Greek prefixes go 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, origin, and an English example.

A

Prefix or suffix	Meaning	Origin language and etymology	Example(s)
a-, an-	Denotes an absence of, without	Ancient Greek ἀ-/ἀν- (a-/an-), without, not	Apathy, Analgia
ab-	away from	Latin	Abduction
abdomin(o)-	Of or relating to the abdomen	Latin (abdōmen), abdomen, fat around the belly	Abdomen
-ac, -acal	pertaining to	Greek -ακός (-akos)	cardiac, hydrophobiac, pharmacomaniacal
acanth(o)-	thorn or spine	Ancient Greek ἄκανθα (akantha), thorn	acanthion, acanthocyte, acanthoma, acanthulus
acous(io)-	Of or relating to hearing	Greek ἀκουστικός (acoustikos), of or for hearing	acoumeter, acoustician
acr(o)-	extremity, topmost	Greek ἄκρον (akron), highest or farthest point	Acrocrany, acromegaly, acroosteolysis, acroposthia
-acusis	hearing	Greek ἀκουστικός (acoustikos), of or for hearing	paracusis
-ad	toward, in the direction of		dorsad
ad-	increase, adherence, motion toward, very	Latin	Adduction
aden(o)-, aden(i)-	Of or relating to a gland	Ancient Greek ἀδήν, ἀδέν- (adēn, aden-), an acorn; a gland	Adenocarcinoma, adenology, adenotome, adenotyphus
adip(o)-	Of or relating to fat or fatty tissue	Latin (adeps, adip-), fat	Adipocyte
adren(o)-	Of or relating to adrenal glands	Latin	adrenal artery
-aemia (BrE)	blood condition	Greek ἀναιμία, without blood	Anaemia
aer(o)-	air, gas	Greek ἀήρ, ἀέρος	Aerosinusitis
aesthesio- (BrE)	sensation	Greek αἴσθησις	Anesthesia
-al	pertaining to	Latin -alis	abdominal
alb-	Denoting a white or pale color	Latin albus, white	Albino
alge(si)-	pain	Greek ἄλγος	Analgesic
-algia	pain	Greek	Myalgia
alg(i)o-	pain	Greek	Myalgia
allo-	Denoting something as different, or as an addition	Ancient Greek ἄλλος (allos), another, other	Alloantigen, allopathy
ambi-	Denoting something as positioned on both sides; Describing both of two	Latin (ambi-, ambo), both, on both sides	Ambidextrous
amnio-	Pertaining to the membranous fetal sac (amnion)	Greek ἄμνιον	Amniocentesis
amph-, amphi-	on both sides	Greek ἀμφί (amphi)	Amphicrania, amphismela, amphomycin
an-	not, without	Greek	Analgesia
ana-	back, again, up	Greek	Anaplasia
an(o)	anus	Latin
andr(o)-	pertaining to a man	Greek ἀνήρ, ἀνδρ-	Andrology, android
angi(o)-	blood vessel	Greek ἀγγεῖον	Angiogram
aniso-	Describing something as unequal	Ancient Greek ἄνῑσος (anīsos), unequal	Anisotropic, anisocytosis
ankyl(o)-, ancyl(o)-	Denoting something as crooked or bent	Ancient Greek ἀγκύλος (ankýlos), crooked, curved	Ankylosis
ante-	Describing something as positioned in front of another thing	Latin (āntē), before, in front of	antepartum
anti-	Describing something as 'against' or 'opposed to' another	Ancient Greek αντι (anti), against	Antibody, antipsychotic
apo-	separated from, derived from	Ancient Greek ἀπό	Apoptosis
arch(i,e,o)	first, primitive		archinephron : first formed kidney
arsen(o)-	Of or pertaining to a male; masculine	Greek (arsein)
arteri(o)-	Of or pertaining to an artery	Ancient Greek ἀρτηρία (artēría), a wind-pipe, artery (used distinctly versus a vein)	Artery, Arteriole
arthr(o)-	Of or pertaining to the joints, limbs	Ancient Greek αρθρος (arthros), a joint, limb	Arthritis
articul(o)-	joint	Latin articulum	Articulation
-ary	pertaining to	Latin -arius	bilary tract
-ase	enzyme	Greek διάστασις, division	Lactase
-asthenia	weakness	Greek, ἀσθένεια	Myasthenia gravis
atel(o)	imperfect or incomplete development		atelocardia : imperfect development of the heart
ather(o)-	fatty deposit, Soft gruel-like deposit
-ation	process	Latin	Habitation, Lubrication
atri(o)-	an atrium (esp. heart atrium)		atrioventricular
aur(i)-	Of or pertaining to the ear	Latin (auris), the ear	Aural
aut(o)-	self	Greek αὐτο-	Autoimmune
aux(o)-	increase; growth		auxocardia : enlargement of the heart
axill-	Of or pertaining to the armpit [uncommon as a prefix]	Latin (axilla), armpit	Axilla
azo(to)	nitrogenous compound		azothermia : raised temperature due to nitrogenous substances in blood

B

bas(o)base [(alkaline,the opposite of acid]

Prefix/suffix	Meaning	Origin language and etymology	Example(s)
balano-	Of the glans penis or glans clitoridis	Greek βάλανος - balanos, acorn, glans	Balanitis
bi-	twice, double	Latin	Binary
bio-	life	Ancient Greek βίος	Biology
blast(o)-	germ or bud	Greek βλαστός	Blastomere
blephar(o)-	Of or pertaining to the eyelid	Ancient Greek βλέφαρον (blépharon), eyelid	Blepharoplast
brachi(o)-	Of or relating to the arm	Latin (brachium), from Ancient Greek βραχίων (brachiōn), arm	Brachium of inferior colliculus
brachy-	Indicating 'short' or less commonly 'little'	Ancient Greek βραχύς (brachys), short, little, shallow	brachycephalic
brady-	'slow'	Ancient Greek βραδύς (bradys), slow	Bradycardia
bronch(i)-	bronchus		Bronchiolitis obliterans
bucc(o)-	Of or pertaining to the cheek	Latin (bucca), cheek	Buccolabial
burs(o)-	bursa (fluid sac between the bones)	Latin	Bursitis

C

Prefix/suffix	Meaning	Origin language and etymology	Example(s)
capill-	Of or pertaining to hair	Latin (capillus), hair	Capillus
capit-	Pertaining to the head (as a whole)	Latin (caput, capit-), the head	Capitation
carcin(o)-	cancer	Greek καρκίνος (karkinos), crab	Carcinoma
cardi(o)-	Of or pertaining to the heart	Ancient Greek καρδία (kardía), heart	Cardiology
carp(o)-	Of or pertaining to the wrist	Latin (carpus) < Ancient Greek καρπός (karpós), wrist; NOTE: This root should not be confused with the mirror root carp(o)- meaning fruit.	Carpopedal
cata-	down, under	Greek κατά (kata)	Cataract
-cele	pouching, hernia	Ancient Greek κήλη (kēlē)	Hydrocele
-centesis	surgical puncture for aspiration	Ancient Greek κέντησις (kentēsis)	Amniocentesis
cephal(o)-	Of or pertaining to the head (as a whole)	Ancient Greek κεφαλή (képhalē), the head	Cephalalgy
cerat(o)-	Of or pertaining to the cornu; a horn	Ancient Greek κέρας, κερατ- (kéras, kerat-), a horn	Ceratoid
cerebell(o)-	Of or pertaining to the cerebellum	Latin (cerebellum), little brain	Cerebellum
cerebr(o)-	Of or pertaining to the brain	Latin (cerebrum), brain	Cerebrology
cervic-	Of or pertaining to the neck, the cervix	Latin (cervix, cervīc-), neck, cervix	Cervicodorsal
chem(o)-	chemistry, drug	Greek χημεία	Chemotherapy
chir(o)-, cheir(o)-	Of or pertaining to the hand	Ancient Greek χείρ, χειρο- (cheir, cheiro-), hand	Chiropractor
chlor(o)-	Denoting a green color	Ancient Greek χλωρός (chloros), green, yellow-green	Chlorophyll
chol(e)-	Of or pertaining to bile	Ancient Greek χολή (cholē), bile	Cholaemia
cholecyst(o)-	Of or pertaining to the gallbladder	Ancient Greek χοληκύστις (cholēkýstis), gallbladder < χολή (cholē), bile, gall + κύστις (kýstis), bladder	Cholecystectomy
chondr(i)o-	cartilage, gristle, granule, granular	Ancient Greek χονδρός (chondros)	Chondrocalcinosis
chrom(ato)-	color	Ancient Greek χρῶμα	Hemochromatosis
-cidal, -cide	killing, destroying	Latin	bacteriocidal
cili-	Of or pertaining to the cilia, the eyelashes; eyelids	< Latin (cilium), eyelash; eyelid	Ciliary
circum-	Denoting something as 'around' another	Latin (circum), around	Circumcision
cis-	on this side	Latin (cis)
clast	break	Greek κλαστός	osteoclast
co-	with, together, in association	Latin	coenzymes
col-, colo-, colono-	colon		Colonoscopy
colp(o)-	Of or pertaining to the vagina	Ancient Greek κόλπος (kólpos), bosom, womb; hollow, depth	Colposcopy
com-	with, together	Latin
contra	against	Latin	Contraindicate
cor-	with, together	Latin
cor-, core-, coro-	Of or pertaining to eye's pupil	Ancient Greek κόρη (kórē), girl, doll; pupil of the eye	Corectomy
cordi-	Of or pertaining to the heart [Uncommon as a prefix]	Latin (cor, cordi-), heart	Commotio cordis
cornu-	Applied to processes and parts of the body describing them likened or similar to horns	Latin (cornū), horn
coron(o)-	heart
cost(o)-	Of or pertaining to the ribs	Latin (costa), rib	Costochondral
cox-	Of or relating to the hip, haunch, or hip-joint	Latin (coxa), hip	Coxopodite
crani(o)-	Belonging or relating to the cranium	Latin (cranium) < Ancient Greek κρᾱνίον (krānion), the cranium, skull, bones enclosing the brain	Craniology
-crine	to secrete	εκκρίνει ecrine	Endocrine
cry(o)-	cold	Greek κρύος	Cryoablation
cutane-	skin	Latin	Subcutaneous
cyan(o)-	Denotes a blue color	Ancient Greek κύανος, κυάνεος (kýanos, kyáneos), blue	Cyanopsia
cycl-	circle, cycle	Greek κύκλος (kuklos)
cyph(o)-	Denotes something as bent [uncommon as a prefix]	Ancient Greek κυφός (kȳphós), bent, hunchback	Cyphosis
cyst(o)-, cyst(i)-	Of or pertaining to the urinary bladder	Ancient Greek κύστις (kýstis), bladder; cyst	Cystotomy
cyt(o)-	cell	Greek κύτος	Cytokine
-cyte	cell	Greek	Leukocyte

D

Prefix/suffix	Meaning	Origin language and etymology	Example(s)
dacryo-	tear	Greek δάκρυ
dactyl(o)-	Of or pertaining to a finger, toe	Ancient Greek δάκτυλος (dáktylos), finger, toe	Dactylology
de-	away from, cessation	Latin de-
dent-	Of or pertaining to teeth	Latin (dens, dentis), tooth	Dentist
dermat(o)-, derm(o)-	Of or pertaining to the skin	Ancient Greek δέρμα, δέρματ- (dérma, démat-), skin, human skin	Dermatology
-desis	binding	Greek δέσις (desis)	arthrodesis
dextr(o)-	right, on the right side	Latin dexter	Dextrocardia
di-	two	Greek δι-	Diplopia
di-	apart, separation	Latin
dia-	(same as Greek meaning)	Ancient Greek διά (diá), through, during, across	Diacetyl
dif-	apart, separation	Latin
digit-	Of or pertaining to the finger [rare as a root]	Latin (digitus), finger, toe	Digit
-dipsia	suffix meaning "(condition of) thirst"'		polydipsia hydroadipsia, oligodipsia
dis-	separation, taking apart	Latin dis-	Dissection
dors(o)-, dors(i)-	Of or pertaining to the back	Latin (dorsum), back	dorsal, Dorsocephalad
duodeno-	duodenum, twelve: upper part of the small intestine (twelve inches long on average), connects to the stomach	Latin duodeni	Duodenal atresia
dynam(o)-	force, energy, power	Greek δύναμις (dunamis)
-dynia	pain		Vulvodynia
dys-	bad, difficult	Greek δυσ-	Dysphagia, dysphasia

E

Prefix/suffix	Meaning	Origin language and etymology	Example(s)
-eal	pertaining to	Latin
ec-	out, away	Greek ἐκ- (ek-)
ect(o)-	outer, outside	Greek ἐκτός	Ectopic pregnancy
-ectasis, -ectasia	expansion, dilation	Ancient Greek ἔκτασις	Bronchiectasis, Telangiectasia
-ectomy	Denotes a surgical operation or removal of a body part. Resection, excision	Ancient Greek ἐκτομή (ectomē), excision	Mastectomy
-emesis	vomiting condition	Greek ἕμεσις	Hematemesis
-emia	blood condition (AmE)	Greek ἀν-αιμία, without blood	Anemia
encephal(o)-	Of or pertaining to the brain. Also see Cerebro.	Ancient Greek ἐγκέφαλος (enképhalos), the brain	Encephalogram
endo-	Denotes something as 'inside' or 'within'	Ancient Greek ἐνδο- (endo-), inside, internal	Endocrinology, Endospore
eosin(o)-	Red	Eosin comes from Eos, the Greek word for 'dawn' and the name of the Greek Goddess of the Dawn.	Eosinophil granulocyte
enter(o)-	Of or pertaining to the intestine	Ancient Greek ἔντερον (énteron), intestine	Gastroenterology
epi-	[Same as Greek meaning: on, upon]	Ancient Greek ἐπι- (epi-), before, upon, on, outside, outside of	Epistaxis, epicardium, episclera, epidural
episi(o)-	Of or pertaining to the pubic region, the loins	Ancient Greek ἐπίσιον- (epísion), the pubic area, loins; vulva	Episiotomy
erythr(o)-	Denotes a red color	Ancient Greek ἐρυθρός (erythros), red	Erythrocyte
-esophageal, -esophago	gullet (AmE)	Greek οἰσοφάγος
esthesio-	sensation (AmE)	Greek αἴσθησις
eu-	true, good, well, new	Greek	Eukaryote
ex-	out of, away from	Latin	Exophthalmos
exo-	Denotes something as 'outside' another	Ancient Greek ἐξω- (exo-), outside of, external	Exoskeleton
extra-	outside	Latin	Extradural hematoma

F

Prefix/suffix	Meaning	Origin language and etymology	Example(s)
faci(o)-	Of or pertaining to the face	Latin (faciēs), the face, countenance	Facioplegic
fibr(o)	fiber		Fibroblast
filli-	fine, hair like
-form, -iform	Used to form adjectives indicating 'having the form of'	Latin (forma), form, shape	Cuneiform
fossa	A hollow or depressed area; trench or channel	Latin (fossa), ditch, pit	fossa ovalis
front-	Of or pertaining to the forehead	Latin (frōns, front-), the forehead	Frontonasal

G

Prefix/suffix	Meaning	Origin language and etymology	Example(s)
galact(o)-	milk	Greek γάλα, γαλακτ-	Galactorrhea
gastr(o)-	Of or pertaining to the stomach	Ancient Greek γαστήρ (gastēr), γαστρ-, stomach, belly	Gastric bypass
-gen	(1) Denotes the sense 'born in, from' (2) Denotes the sense 'of a certain kind'	Ancient Greek -γενής (-genēs) < γεν-νάειν (gen-náein), to be born	(1) Endogen; (2) Heterogenous
-genic	Formative, pertaining to producing	Greek	Cardiogenic shock
genu-	Of or pertaining to the knee	Latin (genū), knee	Genu valgum
gingiv-	Of or pertaining to the gums	Latin (gingīva), gum	Gingivitis
glauc(o)-	Denoting a grey or bluish-grey colour	Ancient Greek γλαυκός (glaukos), grey, bluish-grey	Glaucoma
gloss(o)-, glott(o)-	Of or pertaining to the tongue	Ancient Greek γλῶσσα, γλῶττα (glōssa, glōtta), tongue	Glossology
gluco-	glucose	Greek γλυκός, sweet	Glucocorticoid
glyco-	sugar		Glycolysis
gnath(o)-	Of or pertaining to the jaw	Ancient Greek γνάθος (gnáthos), jaw	Gnathodynamometer
-gnosis	knowledge	Greek	diagnosis, prognosis
gon(o)-	seed, semen; also, reproductive	Ancient Greek γόνος	Gonorrhea
-gram, -gramme	record or picture	Greek γράμμα (gramma)	Angiogram
-graph	instrument used to record data or picture	Ancient Greek -γραφία (-graphía), written, drawn, graphic interpretation	Electrocardiograph
-graphy	process of recording		Angiography
gyn(aec)o- (BrE), gyn(ec)o- (AmE)	woman	Greek γυνή, γυναικ-	Gynecomastia

H

Prefix/suffix	Meaning	Origin language and etymology	Example(s)
halluc-	to wander in mind	Classical Latin to wander in mind	Hallucinosis
hemat-, haemato- (haem-, hem-)	Of or pertaining to blood	Latin (hæma) < Ancient Greek αἵμα, αἱματ- (haima, haimat-), blood	Hematology, older form Haematology
hema or hemo-	blood (AmE)	Greek	Hematological malignancy
hemangi or hemangio-	blood vessels
hemi-	one-half	Ancient Greek ἡμι- (hēmi-), "half"	Cerebral hemisphere
hepat- (hepatic-)	Of or pertaining to the liver	Ancient Greek ἥπαρ, ἡπατο- (hēpar, hēpato-), the liver	Hepatology
heter(o)-	Denotes something as 'the other' (of two), as an addition, or different	Ancient Greek ἕτερος (héteros), the other (of two), another; different	Heterogeneous
hidr(o)-	sweat	Greek ἱδρωτ-	Hyperhidrosis
hist(o)-, histio-	tissue	Greek ἱστός	Histology
home(o)-	similar	Ancient Greek ὅμοιος (homoios)	Homeopathy
hom(o)-	Denotes something as 'the same' as another or common	Ancient Greek ὁμο- (homo-), the same, common	Homosexuality
humer(o)-	Of or pertaining to the shoulder (or [rarely] the upper arm)	Incorrect Etymology < Latin (umerus), shoulder	Humerus
hydr(o)-	water	Greek ὕδωρ	Hydrophobe
hyper-	Denotes something as 'extreme' or 'beyond normal'	Ancient Greek ὑπέρ (hyper), over, above; beyond, to the extreme	Hypertension
hyp(o)-	Denotes something as 'below normal'	Ancient Greek ὑπ(ο)- (hypo-), below, under	Hypovolemia,
hyster(o)-	Of or pertaining to the womb, the uterus	Ancient Greek ὑστέρα (hystéra), womb	Hysterectomy

I

Prefix/suffix	Meaning	Origin language and etymology	Example(s)
-i-asis	condition	Greek -ίασις	Mydriasis
iatr(o)-	Of or pertaining to medicine, or a physician [uncommon as a prefix; common as as suffix, see -iatry]	Ancient Greek ἰᾱτρός (iātrós), healer, physician	Iatrochemistry
-iatry	Denotes a field in medicine of a certain body component	Ancient Greek ἰᾱτρός (iātrós), healer, physician	Podiatry, Psychiatry
-ic	pertaining to	Greek -ικός (-ikos)	Hepatic artery
-icle	small	Latin	Ovarian follicle
-ics	organized knowledge, treatment	Latin -ica < Greek < -ικά	Obstetrics
idio-	self, one's own	Greek ἴδιος, idios, "one's own"	Idiopathic
ileo-	ileum	Greek ἰλεός	Ileocecal valve
infra-	below	Latin	Infrahyoid muscles
inter-	between, among	Latin	Interarticular ligament
intra-	within	Latin	Intracranial hemorrhage
ipsi-	same	Latin	Ipsilateral hemiparesis
irid(o)-	iris	Greek ἴρις	Iridectomy
ischio-	Of or pertaining to the ischium, the hip-joint	Ancient Greek ἰσχιόν (ischión), hip-joint, ischium	Ischioanal fossa
-ism	condition, disease		Dwarfism
-ismus	spasm, contraction	Greek -ισμός	Hemiballismus
iso-	Denoting something as being 'equal'	Ancient Greek ἴσος (ísos), equal	Isotonic
-ist	one who specializes in	Greek -ιστής (-istes)	Pathologist
-ite	the nature of, resembling	Greek -ίτης	Hermaphrodite
-itis	inflammation		Tonsillitis
-ium	structure, tissue		pericardium
isch-	Restriction	Greek ἴσχω	Ischemia

K

Prefix/suffix	Meaning	Origin language and etymology	Example(s)
kal/i	potassium
karyo-	nucleus	Greek κάρυον, "nut"	Eukaryote
kerat(o)-	cornea (eye or skin)	Greek	Keratoscope
kin(e)-, kin(o), kinesi(o)-	movement	Greek κινέω	Kinesthesia
koil(o)-	hollow	Greek κοῖλος (koilos)	Koilocyte
kyph(o)-	humped	Greek κυφός	Kyphoscoliosis

L

Prefix/suffix	Meaning	Origin language and etymology	Example(s)
labi(o)-	Of or pertaining to the lip	Latin (labium), lip	Labiodental
lacrim(o)-	tear	Latin	Lacrimal canaliculi
lact(i)-, lact(o)	milk	Latin	Lactation
lapar(o)-	Of or pertaining to the abdomen-wall, flank	Ancient Greek λαπάρᾱ (lapárā), flank	Laparotomy
laryng(o)-	Of or pertaining to the larynx, the lower throat cavity where the voice box is	Ancient Greek λάρυγξ, λαρυγγ- (lárynx, laryng-), throat, gullet	Larynx
latero-	lateral	Latin	Lateral pectoral nerve
lei(o)-	smooth	Greek λεῖος	Leiomyoma
-lepsis, -lepsy	attack, seizure	Greek λῆψις	Epilepsy, narcolepsy
lept(o)-	light, slender	Greek λεπτός (leptos)
leuc(o)-, leuk(o)-	Denoting a white color	Ancient Greek λευκός (leukos), white, bright	Leukocyte
lingu(a)-, lingu(o)-	Of or pertaining to the tongue	Latin (lingua), tongue	Linguistics
lip(o)-	fat	Greek λίπος	Liposuction
lith(o)-	stone, calculus	Greek λίθος	Lithotripsy
log(o)-	speech	Greek λόγος
-logist	Denotes someone who studies a certain field: _____-logy	Ancient Greek λογιστής (logistēs), studier, practitioner	Oncologist, pathologist
-logy	Denotes the academic study or practice of a certain field; The study of	Ancient Greek λόγoς (logos) study	hematology, urology
lymph(o)-	lymph	Greek λέμφος, λύμφη	Lymphedema
lys(o)-, -lytic	dissolution	Greek	Lysosome
-lysis	Destruction, separation	Greek λύσις	Paralysis

M

Prefix/suffix	Meaning	Origin language and etymology	Example(s)
macr(o)-	large, long	Greek μακρός	Macrophage
-malacia	softening	Greek μαλακία	Osteomalacia
mamm(o)-	Of or pertaining to the breast	Latin (mamma), breast; udder	Mammogram
mammill(o)-	Of or pertaining to the nipple	Latin (mammilla), nipple
manu-	Of or pertaining to the hand	Latin (manus), hand	Manufacture
mast(o)-	Of or pertaining to the breast	Ancient Greek μαστός (mastós), breast, women's breast; man's pectoral muscle	Mastectomy
meg(a)-, megal(o)-, -megaly	enlargement	Greek μέγας	Splenomegaly
melan(o)-	black color	Ancient Greek μέλας, μελανο- (melas, melano-), black; dark	Melanin
melos	extremity	Ancient Greek μέλος	erythromelalgia
mening(o)-	membrane	Greek μῆνιγξ, μηνιγγ-	Meningitis
mero-	part	Greek μέρος (meros), part	merocrine, meroblastic
mes(o)-	middle	Ancient Greek μέσος (mesos), "middle"	Mesoderm
meta-	after, behind	Greek μετά	Metacarpus
-meter	instrument used to measure or count	Greek μέτρον	Sphygmomanometer
-metry	process of measuring	Greek -μετρία	Optometry
metr(o)-	Pertaining to conditions or instruments of the uterus	Ancient Greek μήτρᾱ (mētrā), womb, uterus	Metrorrhagia
micro-	denoting something as small, or relating to smallness	Ancient Greek μικρός (mikros), small	Microscope
mon(o)-	single	Greek μονός	Infectious mononucleosis
morph(o)-	form, shape	Greek μορφή	Morphology
muscul(o)-	muscle	Latin	Musculoskeletal system
my(o)-	Of or relating to muscle	Ancient Greek μῦς, μυ- (mys, my-), muscle; mouse; mussel	Myoblast
myc(o)-	fungus	Greek μύκης, μυκητ-	Onychomycosis
myel(o)-	Of or relating to bone marrow	Ancient Greek μυελόν (myelon), marrow; bone-marrow	Myeloblast
myring(o)-	eardrum	Latin myringa	Myringotomy
myx(o)-	mucus	Greek μύξα	Myxoma

N

Prefix/suffix	Meaning	Origin language and etymology	Example(s)
narc(o)-	numb, sleep	Greek νάρκη	narcolepsy
nas(o)-	Of or pertaining to the nose	Latin (nāsum), nose	nasal
necr(o)-	death	Greek νεκρός	Necrotizing fasciitis
neo-	new	Greek νέος	Neoplasm
nephr(o)-	Of or pertaining to the kidney	Ancient Greek νεφρός (nephrós), kidney	Nephrology
nerv-	Of or pertaining to nerves and the nervous system [Uncommon as a root: neuro- mostly always used]	Latin (nervus), tendon; nerve; Cognate with the Greek νευρον (neuron) (see below)	Nerve
neur(i)-, neur(o)-	Of or pertaining to nerves and the nervous system	Ancient Greek νεῦρον (neuron), tendon, sinew; nerve	Neurofibromatosis
normo-	normal	Latin	Normocapnia

O

Prefix/suffix	Meaning	Origin language and etymology	Example(s)
ocul(o)-	Of or pertaining to the eye	Latin (oculus), the eye	Oculist
odont(o)-	Of or pertaining to teeth	Ancient Greek ὀδούς, ὀδοντ- (odoús, odont-), tooth	orthodontist
odyn(o)-	pain	Greek ὀδύνη	stomatodynia
-oesophageal, oesophago- (BrE)	gullet	Greek οἰσοφάγος
-oid	resemblance to	Greek -οειδής	Sarcoidosis
ole	small or little	Latin
olig(o)-	Denoting something as 'having little, having few'	Ancient Greek ὀλίγος (oligos), few	Oligotrophy
om(o)-	Of or pertaining to the shoulder	Ancient Greek ὠμός (ōmos), shoulder	Omoplate
-oma (singular), -omata (plural)	tumor, mass, collection	Greek -ωμα	Sarcoma, Teratoma
omphal(o)-	Of or pertaining to the navel, the umbilicus	Ancient Greek ὀμφαλός (omphalós), navel, belly-button	Omphalotomy
onco-	tumor, bulk, volume	Greek ὄγκος	Oncology
onych(o)-	Of or pertaining to the nail (of a finger or toe)	Ancient Greek < ὄνυξ, ὀνυχο- (ónyx, ónycho-), nail; claw; talon	Onychophagy
oo-	Of or pertaining to the an egg, a woman's egg, the ovum	Ancient Greek ᾠόν, ᾠο- (ōón, ōo-), egg, ovum	Oogenesis
oophor(o)-	Of or pertaining to the woman's ovary	Neoclassical Greek ᾠοφόρον (ōophóron), ovary, egg-bearing	Oophorectomy
ophthalm(o)-	Of or pertaining to the eye	Ancient Greek ὀφθαλμός (ophthalmós), the eye	Ophthalmology
optic(o)-	Of or relating to chemical properties of the eye	Middle French (optique) < Greek ὀπτικός (optikós); Cognate with Latin oculus, relating to the eye	Opticochemical
or(o)-	Of or pertaining to the mouth	Latin (ōs, or-), mouth	Oral
orchi(o)-, orchid(o)-, orch(o)-	testis	Greek ὀρχις (orkhis, orkhi-)	Orchiectomy, Orchidectomy
orth(o)-	Denoting something as straight or correct	Ancient Greek ὀρθός (orthos), straight, correct, normal	Orthodontist
-osis	a condition, disease or increase	Greek -ωσις	Harlequin type ichthyosis, Psychosis, osteoperosis
osseo-	bony	Latin
ossi-	bone	Latin	Peripheral ossifying fibroma
ost(e)-, oste(o)-	bone	Greek ὀστέον	Osteoporosis
ot(o)-	Of or pertaining to the ear	Ancient Greek οὖς, ὠτ- (ous, ōt-), the ear	Otopathy
-ous	pertaining to	Latin -osus
ovari(o)-	Of or pertaining to the ovaries	Latin (ōvarium), ovary	Ovariectomy
ovo-, ovi-, ov-	Of or pertaining to the eggs, the ovum	Latin (ōvum), egg, ovum	Ovogenesis
oxo-	addition of oxygen	Greek ὀξύς
oxy-	sharp, acid, acute, oxygen	Greek ὀξύς

P

Prefix/suffix	Meaning	Origin language and etymology	Example(s)
pachy-	thick	Greek παχύς	pachyderma
palpebr-	Of or pertaining to the eyelid [uncommon as a root]	Latin (palpebra), eyelid	Palpebra
pan-, pant(o)-	Denoting something as 'complete' or containing 'everything'	Ancient Greek πᾶς, παν- (pas, pan-), all, every	panophobia, panopticon
papill-	Of or pertaining to the nipple (of the chest/breast)	Latin (papilla), nipple; dimunitive of papula (see below)	Papillitis
papul(o)-	Indicates papulosity, a small elevation or swelling in the skin, a pimple, swelling	Latin (papula), pimple, pustle; a small elevation or swelling in the skin	Papulation
para-	alongside of, abnormal	Ancient Greek παρά (para)
-paresis	slight paralysis	Greek πάρεσις	hemiparesis
parvo-	small	Latin parvus	Parvovirus
path(o)-	disease	Greek πάθος	Pathology
-pathy	Denotes (with a negative sense) a disease, or disorder	Ancient Greek πάθος (pathos), suffering, accident	sociopathy, neuropathy
ped-, -ped-, -pes	Of or pertaining to the foot; -footed	Latin pēs, pēd-, foot	Pedoscope
pelv(i)-, pelv(o)-	hip bone	Latin	Pelvis
-penia	deficiency	Greek πενία	osteopenia
peo-	Of or pertaining to the penis	Greek πέος (peos)	Peotomy
-pepsia	Denotes something relating to digestion, or the digestive tract.	Ancient Greek πεπτός (peptós) cooked, digested < πέσσω (péssō) I boil, cook; digest	Dyspepsia
per-	through	Latin
peri-	Denoting something with a position 'surrounding' or 'around' another	Ancient Greek περί (peri), around	Periodontal
-pexy	fixation	Greek πῆξις	Nephropexy
phaco-	lens-shaped	Greek φακός	phacolysis, phacometer, phacoscotoma
-phage, -phagia	Forms terms denoting conditions relating to eating or ingestion	Ancient Greek φαγία (phagía) eating < φαγεῖν (phagein) to eat	Sarcophagia
-phago-	eating, devouring	Greek -φάγος	phagocyte
phagist-:	Forms nouns that denote a person who 'feeds on' the first element or part of the word	Ancient Greek φαγιστής (phagistēs) eater; see -phagia	Lotophagi
-phagy	Forms nouns that denotes 'feeding on' the first element or part of the word	Ancient Greek φαγία (phagia) eating; see -phagia	Anthropophagy
phallo-	phallus	Greek φαλλός (phallos)	Aphallia
pharmaco-	drug, medication	Greek φάρμακον	pharmacology
pharyng(o)-	Of or pertaining to the pharynx, the upper throat cavity	Ancient Greek φάρυγξ, φαρυγγ- (phárynx, pháryng-), throat, windpipe; chasm	Pharyngitis, Pharyngoscopy
-phil(ia)	attraction for	Greek φιλία	Hemophilia
phleb(o)-	Of or pertaining to the (blood) veins, a vein	Ancient Greek φλέψ, φλεβ- (phleps, phlebo-), blood-vessel, vein	Phlebography, Phlebotomy
-phobia	exaggerated fear, sensitivity	Greek φόβος	arachnophobia
phon(o)-	sound	Greek φωνή	phonograph, symphony
phos-	Of or pertaining to light or its chemical properties, now historic and used rarely. See the common root phot(o)- below.	Ancient Greek φῶς, φωτ- (phōs, phōt-), light	Phosphene
phot(o)-	Of or pertaining to light	Ancient Greek φῶς, φωτ- (phōs, phōt-), light	Photopathy
piri-	Pear	Latin pirum, pear	Piriformis
phren(i)-, phren(o)-, phrenico	the mind	Greek φρήν, φρεν-	Phrenic nerve, schizophrenia, diaphragm
-plasia	formation, development	Greek πλάσις	Achondroplasia
-plasty	surgical repair, reconstruction	Greek πλαστός	rhinoplasty
-plegia	paralysis	Greek πληγή	paraplegia
pleio-	more, excessive, multiple	Greek pleion	pleiomorphism
pleur(o)-, pleur(a)	Of or pertaining to the ribs	Latin (pleura) from Ancient Greek πλευρόν (pleurón), rib, side of the body	Pleurogenous
-plexy	stroke or seizure	Greek πλῆξις	Cataplexy
pneum(o)-	Of or pertaining to the lungs	Ancient Greek πνεύμων, πνευμον- (pneumōn, pneumon-), lung < πνεῦμα (pneuma), wind, spirit	Pneumonocyte, Pneumonia
pneumat(o)-	air, lung	Ancient Greek
pod-, -pod-, -pus	Of or pertaining to the foot, -footed	Ancient Greek πούς, ποδ- (poús, pod-), foot	Podiatry
-poiesis	production		hematopoiesis
polio-	Denoting a grey color	Ancient Greek πολιός (poliós), grey	Poliomyelitis
poly-	Denotes a 'plurality' of something	Ancient Greek πολυς (polys), much, many	Polymyositis
por(o)-	pore, porous
porphyr(o)-	Denotes a purple color	Ancient Greek πορπύρα (porphýra), purple	Porphyroblast
post-	Denotes something as 'after' or 'behind' another	Latin (post), after, behind	Postoperation, Postmortem
pre-	Denotes something as 'before' another (in [physical] position or time)	Medieval Latin (pre-) < (Classical) Latin (præ), before, in front of	Prematurity
presby(o)-	old age	Greek	Presbyopia
prim-	Denotes something as 'first' or 'most-important'	Latin prīmus, first, most important	Primary
pro-	Denotes something as 'before' another (in [physical] position or time)	Ancient Greek προ (pro), before, in front of	Procephalic
proct(o)-	anus, rectum		proctology
prosop(o)-	face	Greek (prosopon), face, mask	Prosopagnosia
prot(o)-	Denotes something as 'first' or 'most important'	Ancient Greek πρωτος (prōtos), first; principal, most important	Protoneuron
pseud(o)-	Denotes something false or fake	Ancient Greek
psych(e)-, psych(o)	Of or pertaining to the mind	Ancient Greek ψυχή (psyché), breath, life, soul	Psychology, psychiatry
pterygo-	Pertaining to a wing	Greek	Lateral pterygoid plate
psor-	Itching		Psoriasis
-ptosis	falling, drooping, downward placement, prolapse		Apoptosis
-ptysis	(a spitting), spitting, hemoptysis, the spitting of blood derived from the lungs or bronchial tubes		hemoptysis
pulmon-, pulmo-	Of or relating to the lungs.	Latin (pulmo, pulmōn-, usually used in plural), a lung	pulmonary
pyel(o)-	pelvis	Ancient Greek (pyelos)	Pyelonephritis
pyo-	pus	Greek πύον	Pyometra
pyro-	fever	Greek πῦρ, πυρετός	Antipyretic

Q

Prefix/suffix	Meaning	Origin language and etymology	Example(s)
quadr(i)-	four	Latin	quadriceps

R

Prefix/suffix	Meaning	Origin language and etymology	Example(s)
radio-	radiation	Latin	radiowave
re-	again, backward	Latin	relapse
rect(o)-	rectum	Latin
ren(o)-	Of or pertaining to the kidney	Latin (rēnes), kidney	renal
reticul(o)-	net	Latin	reticulocyte
retro-	backward, behind	Latin	retroversion, retroverted
rhabd(o)-	rod shaped, striated	Greek ῥάβδος	rhabdomyolysis
rhachi(o)-	spine	Greek ῥάχις	rachial, rachialgia, rachidian, rachiopathy
rhin(o)-	Of or pertaining to the nose	Ancient Greek ῥίς, ῥῑνο- (rhīs, rhīno-), nose	rhinoceros, rhinoplasty
rhod(o)-	Denoting a rose-red color	Ancient Greek ῥόδον (rhódon), rose	rhodophyte
-rrhage	burst forth	Greek -ρραγία	Hemorrhage
-rrhagia	rapid flow of blood	Greek -ρραγία
-rrhaphy	surgical suturing	Greek ῥαφή
-rrhea (AmE)	flowing, discharge	Greek -ρροια	Galactorrhea, Diarrhea
-rrhexis	rupture	Greek ῥῆξις
-rrhoea (BrE)	flowing, discharge	Greek -ρροια	diarrhoea
rubr(o)-	Of or pertaining to the red nucleus of the brain	Latin (ruber), red	Rubrospinal

S

Prefix/suffix	Meaning	Origin language and etymology	Example(s)
salping(o)-	Of or pertaining to the fallopian tubes	Ancient Greek σάλπιγξ, σαλπιγγ-, (sálpinx, salpingo-) trumpet (literally)	Salpingectomy, Salpingopharyngeus muscle
sangui-, sanguine-	Of or pertaining to blood	Latin (sanguis, sanguin-), blood	Sanguine
sarco-	muscular, fleshlike	Greek σάρξ, σαρκ-	sarcoma
schist(o)-	split, cleft	Greek σχιστός (schistos)
schiz(o)-	Denoting something 'split' or 'double-sided'	Ancient Greek σχιζω; Irregular formation of the verb σχίζειν (schizein), to cut, split	Schizophrenia
scler(o)-	hardness	Greek σκληρός	atherosclerosis
-sclerosis	hardening of the skin	Greek	Multiple sclerosis
scoli(o)-	twisted	Greek σκολιός (skolios)	scoliosis
-scope	instrument for viewing	Greek -σκόπος	stethoscope
-scopy	use of instrument for viewing	Greek -σκοπία	endoscopy
semi-	one-half, partly	Latin
sial(o)-	saliva, salivary gland	Greek σίαλος (sialos)	sialagogue
sigmoid(o)-	sigmoid, sigmoid colon	Greek σιγμοειδής
sinistr(o)-	left, left side	Latin
sinus-	Of or pertaining to the sinus	Latin (sinus), a curve, bend, bay	Sinusitis
sito-	food, grain	Greek σῖτος
somat(o)-, somatico-	body, bodily	Greek σῶμα
spasmo-	spasm	Greek σπασμός	Spasmodic dysphonia
sperma-, spermo-, spermato-	semen, spermatozoa	Greek σπέρμα (sperma)	Spermatogenesis
splanchn(i)-, splanchn(o)-	viscera	Greek σπλάγχνον
splen(o)-	spleen	Greek σπλήν, σπλην-	Splenectomy
spondyl(o)-	Of or pertaining to the spine, the vertebra	Greek σπόνδυλος / σφόνδυλος, (spóndylos / sphóndylos), the spine	Spondylitis
squamos(o)-	Denoting something as 'full of scales' or 'scaly'	Latin (sqāmōsus), full of scales; scaly	Squama
-stasis	stop, stand	Greek στάσις
-staxis	dripping, trickling	Greek στακτός
sten(o)-	Denoting something as 'narrow in shape' or pertaining to narrow-ness	Ancient Greek στενός (stenos), narrow; short	Stenography
-stenosis	abnormal narrowing in a blood vessel or other tubular organ or structure	Ancient Greek στενός (stenos), narrow; short	Stenosis, Restenosis
steth(o)-	Of or pertaining to the upper chest, chest, the area above the breast and under the neck	Ancient Greek στῆθος (stēthos), chest, cuirass	Stethoscope
stheno-	strength, force, power	Greek σθένος
stom(a)	mouth	Greek στόμα	stomatognathic system
stomat(o)-	Of or pertaining to the mouth	Ancient Greek στόμα, στοματ- (stóma, stomat-), mouth	Stomatogastric
-stomy	creation of an opening	Greek -στομία	colostomy
sub-	beneath	Latin	subcutaneous tissue
super-	in excess, above, superior	Latin	superior vena cava
supra-	above, excessive	Latin	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-.	Ancient Greek συν- (syn), with, together	Synalgia, Synesthesia, Syssarcosis

T

Prefix/suffix	Meaning	Origin language and etymology	Example(s)
tachy-	Denoting something as fast, irregularly fast	Ancient Greek ταχύς (tachys), fast, quickly	Tachycardia
-tension, -tensive	pressure	Latin	Hypertension
tetan-	rigid, tense		tetanus
thec-	case, sheath	Ancient Greek θήκη (theke)	Intrathecal
thel(e)-, thel(o)-	Of or pertaining to a nipple [uncommon as a prefix]	Ancient Greek θηλή (thēlē), a teat, nipple	Theleplasty
thely-	Denoting something as 'relating to a woman, feminine'	Ancient Greek θῆλυς (thēlys), female, feminine	Thelygenous
therap(o)-	treatment	Ancient Greek (therapeía)	hydrotherapy
therm(o)-	heat	Ancient Greek θερμός (thermós)
thorac(i)-, thorac(o)-, thoracico-	Of or pertaining to the upper chest, chest; the area above the breast and under the neck	Latin (thōrāx) < Ancient Greek θώραξ (thōrax), chest, cuirass	Thorax
thromb(o)-	Of or relating to a blood clot, clotting of blood	Ancient Greek θρόμβος (thrómbos), lump, piece, clot of blood	Thrombus, Thrombocytopenia
thyr(o)-	thyroid	Greek θυρεο-ειδής
thym(o)(ia)-	emotions	Greek: "thymos," spirit, soul; courage; breath, mind, emotions	dysthymia
-tic	pertaining to	Greek -τικός
toco-	childbirth	Greek τόκος
-tome	cutting instrument	Greek τομή
-tomy	act of cutting; incising, incision	Greek -τομία	Gastrotomy
tono-	tone, tension, pressure	Greek τόνος
-tony	tension	Greek -τονία
top(o)-	place, topical	Greek τόπος	Topical anesthetic
tort(i)-	twisted	Latin tortus	Torticollis
tox(i)-, tox(o)-, toxic(o)-	toxin, poison	Greek τοξικόν	Toxoplasmosis
trache(o)-	trachea	Greek τραχεία	Tracheotomy
trachel(o)-	Of or pertaining to the neck	Ancient Greek τράχηλος (tráchēlos), neck	tracheloplasty
trans-	Denoting something as moving or situated 'across' or 'through'	Latin (trāns), across, through	Transfusion
trich(i)-, trichia, trich(o)-	Of or pertaining to hair, hair-like structure	Ancient Greek θρίξ, τριχ(ο)- (thríx, trich(o)-), hair	Trichocyst
-tripsy	crushing	Greek τρίψις	Lithotripsy
-trophy	nourishment, development	Greek -τροφία, τροφή	Pseudohypertrophy
tympan(o)-	eardrum	Greek τύμπανον	Tympanocentesis

U

Prefix/suffix	Meaning	Origin language and etymology	Example(s)
-ula, -ule	small	Latin	Nodule
ultra-	beyond, excessive	Latin
umbilic-	Of or pertaining to the navel, the umbilicus	Latin (umbilīcus), navel, belly-button	Umbilical
ungui-	Of or pertaining to the nail, a claw	Latin (unguis), nail, claw	Unguiform, Ungual
un(i)-	one	Latin (unus)	Unilateral hearing loss
ur(o)-	Of or pertaining to urine, the urinary system; (specifically) pertaining to the physiological chemistry of urine	Ancient Greek οὖρον (ouron), urine	Urology
uri(c)-, urico-	uric acid	Greek οὐρικός
urin-	Of or pertaining to urine, the urinary system	Latin (ūrīna), urine < Ancient Greek ουρον (ouron), see above.	Uriniferous
uter(o)-	Of or pertaining to the uterus or womb	Latin (uterus), womb, uterus	Uterus

V

Prefix or suffix	Meaning	Origin language and etymology	Examples
vagin-	Of or pertaining to the vagina	Latin (vāgīna), sheath, scabbard	Vagina
varic(o)-	swollen or twisted vein	Latin varix	varicose
vas(o)-	duct, blood vessel	Latin	vasoconstriction
vasculo-	blood vessel	Latin vāsculum
ven-	Of or pertaining to the (blood) veins, a vein (used in terms pertaining to the vascular system)	Latin (vēna), blood-vessel, vein	Vein, Venospasm
ventr(o)-	Of or pertaining to the belly; the stomach cavities	Latin (venter), the belly, the stomach; the womb	Ventrodorsal
ventricul(o)-	Of or pertaining to the ventricles; any hollow region inside an organ	Latin (venter), the ventricles of the heart, the ventricles of the brain	Cardiac ventriculography
-version	turning	Latin versiō	anteversion, retroversion
vesic(o)-	Of or pertaining to the bladder	Latin (vēsīca), bladder; blister	Vesica
viscer(o)-	Of or pertaining to the internal organs, the viscera	Latin (viscera), internal organs; plural of (viscerum), internal organ	Viscera

X

Prefix/suffix	Meaning	Origin language and etymology	Example(s)
xanth(o)-	Denoting a yellow color, an abnormally yellow color	Ancient Greek ξανθός (xanthós), yellow	Xanthopathy
xen(o)-	Foreign, different	Greek ξένος (xenos), stranger	Xenograft
xer(o)-	dry, desert-like	Greek ξερός (xeros), dry	Xerostomia

Y

Prefix/suffix	Meaning	Origin language and etymology	Example(s)
-y	condition or process of	Latin -ia < Greek -ία	Surgery

Z

Prefix/suffix	Meaning	Origin language and etymology	Example(s)
zo(o)-	animal, animal life	Greek ζῷον
zym(o)-	fermentation, enzyme	Greek ζύμη

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	Latin root	Other root
Digestion	-pepsia	-	-
Disease	-pathy	-	-
Eating	-phagia	-	-

Roots of body parts and components

(Internal anatomy, external anatomy, body fluids, body substances)

Body part or component	Greek root	Latin root	Other root
abdomen	lapar(o)-	abdomin-	-
aorta	aort(o)-	aort(o)-	-
arm	brachi(o)-	-	-
armpit	-	axill-	-
artery	arteri(o)-	-	-
back	-	dors-	-
big toe	-	allic-	-
bladder	cyst(o)-	vesic(o)-	-
blood	haemat-, hemat- (haem-, hem-)	sangui-, sanguine-	-
blood clot	thromb(o)-	-	-
blood vessel	angi(o)-	vascul-, vas-	-
body	somat-, som-	corpor-	-
bone	oste(o)-	ossi-	-
bone marrow, marrow	myel(o)-	medull-	-
brain	encephal(o)-	cerebr(o)-	-
breast	mast(o)-	mamm(o)-	-
chest	steth(o)-	-	-
cheek	-	bucc-	-
ear	ot(o)-	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-	-
hand	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)- (hepatic-)	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)-	humer(o)-	-
sinus	-	sinus-	-
skin	dermat(o)- (derm-)	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	sarping(o)-	sarping(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
black	melano-	nigr-	-
blue	cyano-	-	-
gray, grey	polio-	-	-
green	chlor(o)-	vir-	-
purple	porphyr(o)-	purpur-, purpureo-	-
red	erythr(o)-, rhod(o)-	rub-, rubr-	-
red-yellow	cirrh(o)-	-	-
white	leuc-, leuk-	alb-	-
yellow	xanth(o)-	flav-	jaun - [French]

Roots of description

(Size, shape, strength, etc.)

Description	Greek root in English	Latin root in English	Other root
bad, incorrect	cac(o)-, dys-	mal(e)-	-
bent, crooked	ankyl(o)-	prav(i)-	-
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)-	-
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)-	-
incorrect, bad	cac(o)-, dys-	mal(e)-	-
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	neo-	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)-	-
fast	tachy-	celer-	-
soft	malac(o)-	moll(i)-	-
straight	orth(o)-	rect(i)-	-
thick	pachy-	crass(i)-	-
varied, various	poikilo-	vari-	-
well, good	eu-	ben(e)-	-
wide, broad	eury-	lat(i)-	-

Roots of position

Description	Greek root in English	Latin root in English	Other root
around	peri-	circum-	-
left	levo-	laev(o)-, sinistr-	-
middle	mes(o)-	medi-	-
right	dexi(o)-	dextr(o)-	-
surrounding	peri-	circum-	-

Roots of quantity

(Amount, quantity)

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

See also

• Classical compound
• International scientific vocabulary
• List of medical abbreviations
• Medical dictionary
• Medicine