This set of flashcards contains medical prefixes used to describe the status of a medical term. Each prefix is explained with a word example and a breakdown.
Check out the quiz version of this flashcard if you want to see how much you remembered.
#1 a-, an-
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.
#2 anti-
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.
#3 contra-
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.
#4 de-
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.
#5 dis-
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.
#6 dys-
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.
More examples of medical terms for dys-
Dyscalculia: dys- (meaning "difficulty with") + calcul (meaning "mathematics") + -ia (meaning "condition").
Dyscalculia is a learning disorder characterized by difficulty with mathematical concepts and calculations.
Dysgraphia: dys- (meaning "difficulty with") + -graph (meaning "writing or instrument used to record" + -ia (meaning "condition").
Dysgraphia is a learning disorder characterized by difficulty with written expression, including handwriting, spelling, and grammar.
Dyslexia: dys- (meaning "difficulty with") + lex (meaning "language or words") + -ia (meaning "condition").
Dyslexia is a medical condition in which an individual has difficulty with reading, spelling, and sometimes speaking due to a learning disorder.
Dyspnea: dys- (meaning "difficulty with") + -pnea (meaning "breathing").
Dyspnea is difficulty breathing, often characterized by shortness of breath or labored breathing.
Dysphagia: dys- (meaning "difficulty with") + phag (meaning "eating or swallowing") + -ia (meaning "condition").
Dysphagia is difficulty swallowing, often characterized by pain or discomfort when swallowing.
Dysphoria: dys- (meaning "difficulty with") + phor (meaning "feeling") + -ia (meaning "condition").
Dysphoria is a state of unease or dissatisfaction.
Dysplasia: dys- (meaning "difficulty with") + plas (meaning "formation") + -ia (meaning "condition").
Dysplasia is a medical condition in which cells, tissues, or organs grow abnormally, often resulting in abnormal size, shape, or function.
Dysphonia: dys- (meaning "difficulty with") + phon (meaning "sound or voice") + -ia (meaning "condition").
Dysphonia is difficulty speaking or producing sounds, often characterized by hoarseness or changes in the voice.
Dysuria: dys- (meaning "difficulty with") + -uria (meaning "urination").
Dysuria is difficulty urinating, often characterized by pain or discomfort during urination.
Dysphasia: dys- (meaning "difficulty with") + phas (meaning "speech") + -ia (meaning "condition").
Dysphasia is difficulty speaking or understanding spoken language, often as a result of brain damage or neurological conditions.
Dysprosody: dys- (meaning "difficulty with") + pros- (meaning "toward") + -ody (meaning "song or voice").
Dysprosody is difficulty with the rhythm, melody, or intonation of speech, often as a result of neurological conditions or brain damage.
#7 eu-
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.
#8 heter(o)-
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).
#9 hom(o)-
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.
#10 mal-
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.
#11 non-
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.
#12 orth(o)-
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.
#13 poikilo-
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.
#14 pseud(o)-
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.
#15 un-
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.
