Medical Terminology Prefixes: Building Blocks of Medical Words
Medical terminology prefixes are word parts that are added to the beginning of a root word to modify its meaning. They are essential building blocks for understanding medical terms, as they provide crucial context and specificity.
Here are some common examples of medical prefixes, categorized by their meaning:
Number:
* Uni-: One (e.g., unilateral)
* Bi-: Two (e.g., bilateral)
* Tri-: Three (e.g., triceps)
* Quadri-: Four (e.g., quadriplegia)
* Multi-: Many (e.g., multifocal)
Location:
* Peri-: Around (e.g., pericardium)
* Epi-: Upon, on (e.g., epidermis)
* Sub-: Below, under (e.g., subcutaneous)
* Intra-: Within (e.g., intravenous)
* Inter-: Between (e.g., intercostal)
Size:
* Macro-: Large (e.g., macrocephaly)
* Micro-: Small (e.g., microscope)
* Mega-: Large (e.g., megaly)
* Mini-: Small (e.g., minify)
Time:
* Pre-: Before (e.g., prenatal)
* Post-: After (e.g., postoperative)
* Retro-: Behind (e.g., retroperitoneal)
* Pro-: Before, forward (e.g., prognosis)
Other:
* A- or An-: Without (e.g., anemia)
* Dys-: Difficult, abnormal (e.g., dyspnea)
* Hyper-: Excessive, above (e.g., hypertension)
* Hypo-: Deficient, below (e.g., hypoglycemia)
* Brady-: Slow (e.g., bradycardia)
* Tachy-: Fast (e.g., tachycardia)
* Auto-: Self (e.g., autoimmune)
* Hetero-: Different (e.g., heterogenous)
* Homo-: Same (e.g., homozygous)
* Para-: Beside, near (e.g., parathyroid)
Examples of Medical Terms with Prefixes:
* Endocarditis: (endo = inside, cardi = heart, -itis = inflammation) - Inflammation of the inner lining of the heart.
* Hypertension: (hyper = excessive, tension = pressure) - High blood pressure.
* Subcutaneous: (sub = under, cutane = skin, -ous = pertaining to) - Under the skin.
* Bilateral: (bi = two, lateral = side) - Affecting both sides.
Importance of Prefixes in Medical Terminology:
* Understanding Meaning: Prefixes help to decipher the meaning of complex medical terms.
* Precise Communication: They allow for precise communication between healthcare professionals.
* Learning Medical Terms: Knowing common prefixes makes it easier to learn and remember medical terminology.
Resources:
* Medical dictionaries: Online or physical dictionaries provide comprehensive lists of prefixes and their meanings.
* Medical textbooks: Textbooks often include sections dedicated to medical terminology, including prefixes.
* Online resources: Numerous websites offer free resources and tutorials on medical terminology.
By mastering prefixes, you can unlock the meaning of countless medical terms and improve your understanding of healthcare concepts.