Medical terminology is composed of a prefix, root word, and suffix:
Prefix: A prefix is placed at the beginning of a word to modify or change its meaning. Pre means "before." Prefixes may also indicate a location, number, or time.
Root: central part of a word.
Suffix: The ending part of a word that modifies the meaning of the word.
Additional resources: [Intro to med terms] [Med terms rules] [Med term reference] [Word building reference] [Practice Exams]
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Medical Terminology Reference |
| Use this reference to see how common medical terms are created using the various prefixes, suffixes, and root words. |
narcolepsy |
| Prefix: Prefix Definition: 1st Root Word: narc/o 1st Root Definition: numbness; stupor; sleep 2nd Root Word: 2nd Root Word Definition: Suffix: -lepsy Suffix Definition: seizure Definition: condition that affects the control of sleep and wakefulness |
nasal |
| Prefix: Prefix Definition: 1st Root Word: nas/o 1st Root Definition: nose 2nd Root Word: 2nd Root Word Definition: Suffix: -al Suffix Definition: pertaining to Definition: pertaining to the nose |
necrosis |
| Prefix: Prefix Definition: 1st Root Word: necr/o 1st Root Definition: death 2nd Root Word: 2nd Root Word Definition: Suffix: -osis Suffix Definition: condition, usually abnormal Definition: death of living cells or tissues to disease or injury |
neoplasm |
| Prefix: neo- Prefix Definition: new 1st Root Word: 1st Root Definition: 2nd Root Word: 2nd Root Word Definition: Suffix: -plasm Suffix Definition: formation; structure Definition: abnormal new growth of tissue |
nephrectomy |
| Prefix: Prefix Definition: 1st Root Word: nephr/o 1st Root Definition: kidney 2nd Root Word: 2nd Root Word Definition: Suffix: -ectomy Suffix Definition: removal; excision; resection Definition: |
nephrologist |
| Prefix: Prefix Definition: 1st Root Word: nephr/o 1st Root Definition: kidney 2nd Root Word: 2nd Root Word Definition: Suffix: -logist Suffix Definition: specialist in the study of Definition: specialist in the study of the kidney and it’s diseases |
nephrology |
| Prefix: Prefix Definition: 1st Root Word: nephr/o 1st Root Definition: kidney 2nd Root Word: 2nd Root Word Definition: Suffix: -logy Suffix Definition: study (process of) Definition: study of the kidney and it’s diseases |
nephropexy |
| Prefix: Prefix Definition: 1st Root Word: nephr/o 1st Root Definition: kidney 2nd Root Word: 2nd Root Word Definition: Suffix: -pexy Suffix Definition: fixation; to put in place Definition: surgical fixation of the kidney |
nephroptosis |
| Prefix: Prefix Definition: 1st Root Word: nephr/o 1st Root Definition: kidney 2nd Root Word: 2nd Root Word Definition: Suffix: -ptosis Suffix Definition: droop; sag; prolapse; protrude Definition: descending displacement of the kidney |
nephrotoxic |
| Prefix: Prefix Definition: 1st Root Word: nephr/o 1st Root Definition: kidney 2nd Root Word: toxic/o 2nd Root Word Definition: poison Suffix: Suffix Definition: Definition: poison that causes damage to the kidney |
neuroblastoma |
| Prefix: Prefix Definition: 1st Root Word: neur/o 1st Root Definition: nerve 2nd Root Word: 2nd Root Word Definition: Suffix: -blastoma Suffix Definition: immature tumor (cells) Definition: cancerous immature nerve cells |
neuropathy |
| Prefix: Prefix Definition: 1st Root Word: neur/o 1st Root Definition: nerve 2nd Root Word: 2nd Root Word Definition: Suffix: -pathy Suffix Definition: disease; emotion Definition: damage or disease affecting nerves |
nociception |
| Prefix: noci- Prefix Definition: to cause harm, injury or pain 1st Root Word: 1st Root Definition: 2nd Root Word: 2nd Root Word Definition: Suffix: -ception Suffix Definition: layering; nesting; recursion Definition: pain in produced due to damage of body tissue |
nodule |
| Prefix: Prefix Definition: 1st Root Word: nod/o 1st Root Definition: knot 2nd Root Word: 2nd Root Word Definition: Suffix: -ule Suffix Definition: little; small Definition: small knots of tissue |
normocapnia |
| Prefix: Prefix Definition: 1st Root Word: norm/o 1st Root Definition: rule; order 2nd Root Word: 2nd Root Word Definition: Suffix: -capnia Suffix Definition: carbon dioxide Definition: normal arterial carbon dioxide pressure |
Navigation
Check out the following resources to support your learning and understanding of medical terminology:
- Quick Introduction– provides an overview and introduction to medical terminology.
- Medical Terms – Prefixes, roots, suffixes – Alphabetical listing of Med Terms.
- Medical Terms – Rules governing singular versus plural versions of medical terms are described.
- Medical Terminology Exams– twenty new exams were created to test your knowledge of medical terminology.
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