Prefixes
Prefixes are located at the beginning of a medical term. The prefix alters the meaning of the medical term. It is important to spell and pronounce prefixes correctly.
Many prefixes that you find in medical terms are common English-language prefixes. A good technique to help with memorization is the following:
- Start by reviewing the most common prefixes.
- Consider common English-language words that begin with the same prefixes.
- Compare them to the examples of use in medical terms.
We will be seeing these prefixes mentioned again in this book, but they are presented here as a reference.
| PREFIX | MEANING | EXAMPLE OF USE IN MEDICAL TERMS |
|---|---|---|
| a-, an | no, not, without, negates the meaning | atypical, anoxia |
| ab- | away from; from | abduction |
| ad- | toward, at, increase, on, toward | adduction |
| ante- | before | antepartum |
| anti- | against, opposing | antipsychotic |
| bi-, bin- | two, twice, double | bilateral, binocular |
| brady- | slow | bradycardia |
| de- | from, down, away from | dehydrate |
| dia- | through, complete | dialysis |
| dys- | painful, abnormal, difficult, labored | dysphagia |
| endo- | within, in | endotracheal |
| epi- | on, upon, over | epidermis |
| eu- | normal, good | eupnea |
| hemi- | half | hemicolectomy |
| hyper- | above, excessive | hyperthyroidism |
| inter- | between | intercostal |
| intra- | within, in | intramuscular |
| macro- | large, long | macrocephalus |
| meta- | after, beyond, change | metacarpals |
| micro- | small | microscope |
| multi- | many | multipara |
| neo- | new | neonate |
| nulli- | none | nulligravida |
| pachy- | thick, thickening, thickened | pachyderma |
| pan- | all, total | pancytopenia |
| para- | beside, beyond, around, abnormal | parathyroid glands |
| per- | through | percutaneous |
| peri- | surrounding (outer) | peripheral vision |
| poly- | many, much | polymyositis |
| post- | after | postpartum |
| pre- | before | prenatal |
| pro- | before | prognosis |
| sub- | below, under | subcutaneous |
| supra- | above | suprascapular |
| sym-, syn- | together, joined | symphysis |
| tachy- | fast, rapid | tachycardia |
| trans- | through, across, beyond | transdermal |
| tri- | three | triceps |
| uni- | one | unilateral |