Medical Prefixes that Describe the Quantity or Number

nulli- is a medical prefix term that means "none" . 

Example Word: nulli/parous

Word Breakdown: nulli- is a prefix that means "none", -parous is a suffix that means "relating to number of times a woman has given birth". 

Definition: A nulliparous is a woman who never has given birth.

The medical prefix term hemi- or semi- means "half" or "partial". 

Example Word: hemi/sphere

Word Breakdown: hemi- is a prefix that means "half or partial", the word root sphere refers to "an object shaped like a ball (like the moon)".  

Definition: The cerebral hemisphere consists of the right and left halves of the cerebrum.

Example Word: semi/solid

Word Breakdown: semi- is a prefix that means "half or partial", the word solid is a substance with a definite shape and volume.

Definition: A semisolid is characterized by properties that are halfway between those of a solid and those of a liquid.

The medical prefix term multi- or poly- means "many". 

Example Word: multi/vitamin

Word Breakdown: Multi- is a prefix meaning "many", vitamins are substances our bodies require in order to develop and function normally. 

Definition: Multivitamins contain a combination of vitamins.

Example Word: poly/uria

Word Breakdown: poly- is a prefix that means "many", -uria is a suffix that refers to "urine" or "urination".  

Definition: Polyuria refers to excessive production of urine; it is one of the symptoms of diabetes.

The medical prefix term prim(i)- means "first". 

Example Word: prim(i)/gravida

Word Breakdown: Prim(i)- is a prefix meaning "first", -gravida is a suffix term that refers to "pregnant woman". 

Definition: A primigravida is a woman who becomes pregnant for the first time or who becomes pregnant once.  

The medical prefix term hapl(o)-, mon(o)- or uni- means "one" or "single". 

Example Word: hapl/oid

Word Breakdown: Hapl- is a prefix that means "single", -oid is a suffix that means "resembling". 

Definition: The term haploid refers to a cell that contains only one set of unpaired chromosomes, such as an egg or sperm.

Example Word: mon(o)/cyte

Word Breakdown: Mon(o)- is a prefix meaning "single", -cyte is a suffix that refers to "cell". 

Definition: The monocyte is a white blood cell that has a single nucleus.

Example Word: uni/cellular

Word Breakdown: Uni- is a prefix meaning "single", cellular means "relating to, or resembling a cell". 

Definition: A single-celled organism is considered unicellular.

The medical prefix term bi-, di-, dipl(o)- means "two" or "double". 

Example Word: bi/pedal

Word Breakdown: Bi- is a prefix that means "double", ped in this term is a word root that refers to "foot" and -al is a suffix that means "pertaining to". 

Definition: Bipedal refers to having two legs or two feet.

Example Word: di/acid

Word Breakdown: Di- is a prefix that means "double", and acid is a word root that pertains to "sour" or "acid". 

Definition: A diacid molecule is capable of neutralizing two protons. 

Example Word: dipl/opia

Word Breakdown: Dipl- is a prefix that means "double", -opia is a suffix that refers to "vision". 

Definition: Diplopia is condition also known as double vision.

The medical prefix term tri- means "three". 

Example Word: tri/cuspid

Word Breakdown: Tri- is a prefix that means "three", cuspid is a triangular flap of a heart valve. 

Definition: Three cusps make up the tricuspid valve, which prevents the backflow of blood from the right ventricle into the right atrium.

The medical prefix term quadr(i)- or tetr(a)- means "four". 

Example Word: quadr(i)/plegia

Word Breakdown: Quadr(i)- is a prefix that means "four",  -plegia is a suffix that pertains to paralysis. 

Definition: Quadriplegia is paralysis of all four limbs.

Example Word: tetr(a)/logy 

Word Breakdown: Tetr(a)- is a prefix that means "four",  -logy is a suffix that pertains to "study of". 

Definition: In Tetralogy of Fallot, four heart defects occur at birth (congenital).

The medical prefix term pent(a)- means "five". 

Example Word: pent(a)/dactyl

Word Breakdown: Pent(a)- is a prefix that means "five",  -dactyl is a suffix that pertains to "fingers" or "toes". 

Definition: Pentadactyl is defined as having five digits on a limb.

The medical prefix term hex(a)- means "six". 

Example Word: hex(a)/hydr/ate

Word Breakdown: Hex(a)- is a prefix that means "six",  hydr is a word root that refers to "water" and -ate is a suffix that means "become". 

Definition: The hexahydrate is a chemical compound that consists of six molecules of water.

The medical prefix term hept(a)- means "seven". 

Example Word: hept(a)/peptide

Word Breakdown: Hept(a)- is a prefix that means "seven",  the term peptide refers to a molecule that consists of two or more amino acids. 

Definition: Heptapeptide is consists of seven amino acids linked by peptide bonds.

The medical prefix term oct(o)- or oct(a)- means "eight". 

Example Word: oct(o)/phobia

Word Breakdown: Oct(o)- is a prefix that means "eight", -phobia is a suffix that means "irrational fear". 

Definition: Octophobia is an irrational fear of the number eight.

The medical prefix term nona- or noni- means "nine". 

Example Word: noni/gravida

Word Breakdown: Noni- is a prefix that means "nine", gravida is a word root that refers to a "pregnant woman". 

Definition: A nonigravida is a woman who is pregnant for the ninth time.

The medical prefix term dec(a)- or dec(i)- means "ten". 

Example Word: dec(i)/bel

Word Breakdown: Dec(i)- is a prefix that means "ten", bel refers to a unit of comparison for communication power or sound intensity. 

Definition: Decibels are units of measurement of sound intensity that are one tenth of a bel on the logarithmic scale.

The medical prefix term cent(i)- means "hundred". 

Example Word: cent(i)/grade

Word Breakdown: Cent(i)- is a prefix that means "hundred", grade refers to "degree" or "rating". 

Definition: Centigrade temperature scale in which the freezing point of water is 0° and its boiling point is 100° at standard atmospheric pressure. 

The medical prefix term milli- means "thousand". 

Example Word: milli/calor/i/e

Word Breakdown: Milli- pertains to "thousand", calor/i is a combining form that means "heat", and -e is a suffix that is used to form nouns. 

Definition: Millicalorie is one thousandth of a calorie (a unit of energy or heat).