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:
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Start by reviewing the most common prefixes.
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Consider common English language words that begin with the same prefixes.
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Compare them to the examples of use in medical terms.
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PREFIX
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MEANING
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EXAMPLE OF USE IN MEDICAL TERMS
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a-, an
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No, not, without, negates the meaning
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atypical
,
anoxia
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ab-
|
away from; from
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abduction
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ad-
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toward, at, increase, on, toward
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adduction
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ante-
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before
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antepartum
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anti-
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against, opposing
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antipsychotic
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PREFIX
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MEANING
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EXAMPLE OF USE IN MEDICAL TERMS
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bi-,bin-
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two, twice, double
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bilateral
,
binocular
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brady-
|
slow
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bradycardia
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PREFIX
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MEANING
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EXAMPLE OF USE IN MEDICAL TERMS
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de-
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from, down, away from
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dehydrate
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dia-
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through, complete
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dialysis
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dys-
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painful, abnormal, difficult, laboured
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dysphagia
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PREFIX
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MEANING
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EXAMPLE OF USE IN MEDICAL TERMS
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endo-
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within, in
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endotracheal
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epi-
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on, upon, over
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epidermis
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eu-
|
normal, good
|
eupnea
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PREFIX
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MEANING
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EXAMPLE OF USE IN MEDICAL TERMS
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hemi-
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half
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hemicolectomy
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hyper-
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above, excessive
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hyperthyroidism
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hypo-
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below, incomplete, deficient, under
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hypoglycemia
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PREFIX
|
MEANING
|
EXAMPLE OF USE IN MEDICAL TERMS
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inter-
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between
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intercostal
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intra-
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within, in
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intramuscular
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PREFIX
|
MEANING
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EXAMPLE OF USE IN MEDICAL TERMS
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macro-
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large, long
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macrocephalus
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meta-
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after, beyond, change
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metacarpal bones
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micro-
|
small
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microscope
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multi-
|
many
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multipara
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PREFIX
|
MEANING
|
EXAMPLE OF USE IN MEDICAL TERMS
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neo-
|
new
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neonate
|
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nulli-
|
none
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nulligravida
|
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PREFIX
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MEANING
|
EXAMPLE OF USE IN MEDICAL TERMS
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pachy-
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thick, thickening, thickened
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pachyderma
|
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pan-
|
all, total
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pancytopenia
|
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para-
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beside, beyond, around, abnormal
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parathyroid glands
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per-
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through
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percutaneous
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peri-
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surrounding (outer)
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peripheral vision
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poly-
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many, much
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polymyositis
|
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post-
|
after
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postpartum
|
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pre-
|
before
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prenatal
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pro-
|
before
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prognosis
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PREFIX
|
MEANING
|
EXAMPLE OF USE IN MEDICAL TERMS
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sub-
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below, under
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subcutaneous
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supra-
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above
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suprascapular
|
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sym-, syn-
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together, joined
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symphysis
|
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PREFIX
|
MEANING
|
EXAMPLE OF USE IN MEDICAL TERMS
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tachy-
|
fast, rapid
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tachycardia
|
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trans-
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through, across, beyond
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transdermal
|
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tri-
|
three
|
triceps
|
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PREFIX
|
MEANING
|
EXAMPLE OF USE IN MEDICAL TERMS
|
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uni-
|
one
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unilateral
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