Medical Prefixes that Describe the Status

Pseud(o)- is a medical prefix term that means "false". 

Example Word: pseud(o)/hernia

Word Breakdown: Pseud(o)- means "false", a hernia is an abnormal protrusion of an organ through an adjacent tear or opening, usually in the abdomen. 

Definition: A pseudohernia is a bulge in the abdominal wall that may be mistaken for a hernia.

De- is a medical prefix term that means "away from" or "without". 

Example Word: de/hydr/ate

Word Breakdown: De- means "away from" or "without", hydr is a word root that pertains to "water", and -ate is a suffix term that signifies "become". 

Definition: Dehydrate is the action of removing or losing water from the body.

Anti- is a medical prefix term that means "against".

Example Word: anti/bi/o/tic

Word Breakdown: The prefix anti- denotes "against", bi/o is a combining form that refers to "life", and -tic is a suffix term that means "pertaining to".

Definition: An antibiotic is a drug made from naturally occurring or synthetic substances that fights bacterial infection.

Un- is a medical prefix term means "not" or "without". 

Example Word: un/infect/ed

Word Breakdown: The prefix un- means "not" or "without", infected denotes having an infection. 

Definition: Uninfected means not having an infection.

Poikilo- is a medical prefix term that means "irregular, varied". 

Example Word: poikilo/derma 

Word Breakdown: Poikilo- means "irregular, varied", and -derma is a suffix term that pertains to "skin disease". 

Definition: Poikiloderma is a disorder that causes the skin to become discolored and to break down.

Mal- is a medical prefix term that means "bad". 

Example Word: mal/nutrit/ion

Word Breakdown: Mal- means "bad", nutrit is a word root that pertains to "nourishment" or "food", and -ion is a suffix term that signifies "state of being". 

Definition: Malnutrition is defined as the deficiency of proper nutrition.

Hom(o)- is a medical prefix term that means "same" or "similar". 

Example Word: hom(o)/phobia 

Word Breakdown: Hom(o)- means "same" or "similar", and -phobia is a suffix term that signifies "irrational fear". 

Definition: Homophobia is the dislike, fear, or prejudice toward homosexuals.

Heter(o)- is a medical prefix term that means "other" or "different". 

Example Word: heter(o)/sexual 

Word Breakdown: Heter(o)- means "other" or "different", and -sexual is a suffix term that modifies to a noun or adjective denoting sexual orientation. 

Definition: A heterosexual is sexually attracted to the opposite sex. (also known as straight).

Dys- is a medical prefix term that means "bad", "difficult" or "painful". 

Example Word: dys/pepsia 

Word Breakdown: Dys- means "bad", "difficult" or "painful", and -pepsia is a suffix term that pertains to "digestion". 

Definition: Dyspepsia is a mild digestive disorder characterized by stomach pain, discomfort, heartburn, and nausea after eating.

Dis- is a medical prefix term that means "apart, separate". 

Example Word: dis/ease 

Word Breakdown: Dis- means "apart, separate", ease indicates comfort or relief. 

Definition: A disease is any disturbance from the normal structural or functional state of an organism.

Contra- is a medical prefix term that means "against". 

Example Word: contra/indicate

Word Breakdown: The prefix contra- denotes "against", and indicate means 'to point out". 

Definition: Contraindicate means to warn against a specific medicine or treatment.

Orth(o)- is a medical prefix term that means "straight; correct". 

Example Word: orth(o)/pnea 

Word Breakdown: Orth(o)- means "straight; correct", and -pnea is a suffix term that pertains to "breathing". 

Definition: Orthopnea refers to a shortness of breath when lying down, causing one to sleep curled up in bed.

Eu- is a medical prefix term that means "normal". 

Example Word: eu/pnea 

Word Breakdown: Eu- means "normal", and -pnea is a suffix term that refers to "breathing". 

Definition: Eupnea is normal, relaxed breathing. It's a healthy breathing pattern.

A- or an- is a medical prefix term that means "not" or "without". 

Example Word: a/pnea

Word Breakdown: A- means "not" or "without", and -pnea is a suffix term that pertains to "breathing". 

Definition: The term apnea refers to the stopping of breathing, most often during sleep.

Non- is a medical prefix term that means "not" or "without". 

Example Word: non/path/o/genic

Word Breakdown: The prefix non- means "not" or "without", path/o is a combining form that denotes "disease", and -genic is a suffix term that pertains to "producing" or "forming". 

Definition: A nonpathogenic organism does not cause illness, harm, or death to other organisms.