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1.3: Prefix

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    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 to 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.
    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
         
    PREFIX MEANING EXAMPLE OF USE IN MEDICAL TERMS
    bi-,bin- two, twice, double bilateral, binocular
    brady- slow bradycardia
         
    PREFIX MEANING EXAMPLE OF USE IN MEDICAL TERMS
    de- from, down, away from dehydrate
    dia- through, complete dialysis
    dys- painful, abnormal, difficult, laboured dysphagia
    PREFIX MEANING EXAMPLE OF USE IN MEDICAL TERMS
    endo- within, in endotracheal
    epi- on, upon, over epidermis
    eu- normal, good eupnea
    PREFIX MEANING EXAMPLE OF USE IN MEDICAL TERMS
    hemi- half hemicolectomy
    hyper- above, excessive hyperthyroidism
    hypo- below, incomplete, deficient, under hypoglycemia
    PREFIX MEANING EXAMPLE OF USE IN MEDICAL TERMS
    inter- between intercostal
    intra- within, in intramuscular
    PREFIX MEANING EXAMPLE OF USE IN MEDICAL TERMS
    macro- large, long macrocephalus
    meta- after, beyond, change metacarpal bones
    micro- small microscope
    multi- many multipara
    PREFIX MEANING EXAMPLE OF USE IN MEDICAL TERMS
    neo- new neonate
    nulli- none nulligravida
         
    PREFIX MEANING EXAMPLE OF USE IN MEDICAL TERMS
    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
    PREFIX MEANING EXAMPLE OF USE IN MEDICAL TERMS
    sub- below, under subcutaneous
    supra- above suprascapular
    sym-, syn- together, joined symphysis
    PREFIX MEANING EXAMPLE OF USE IN MEDICAL TERMS
    tachy- fast, rapid tachycardia
    trans- through, across, beyond transdermal
    tri- three triceps
    PREFIX MEANING EXAMPLE OF USE IN MEDICAL TERMS
    uni- one unilateral

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