Medical Prefixes that Describe the Quantity or Number

nulli- is a prefix that means "none" . Example is the word nulli/parous, nulli- is a prefix that means "none", -parous is a suffix that means "relating to number of times a woman has given birth". A nulliparous is a woman who never has given birth.

The prefix semi- means "half" or "partial". Example is the word semi/solid, semi- is a prefix that means "half or partial", the word solid is a substance with a definite shape and volume.  A semisolid is characterized by properties that are halfway between those of a solid and those of a liquid.

The prefix hemi- means "half" or "partial". Example is the word hemi/sphere, hemi- is a prefix that means "half or partial", the word root sphere refers to "an object shaped like a ball (like the moon)".  The cerebral hemisphere consists of the right and left halves of the cerebrum.

The prefix poly- means "many". Example is the word poly/uria, poly- is a prefix that means "many", -uria is a suffix that refers to "urine" or "urination".  Polyuria refers to excessive production of urine; it is one of the symptoms of diabetes.

The prefix multi- means "many". Example is the word multi/vitamin. Multi- is a prefix meaning "many", vitamins are substances our bodies require in order to develop and function normally. Multivitamins contain a combination of vitamins.

The prefix prim(i)- means "first". Example is the word prim(i)/gravida. Prim(i)- is a prefix meaning "first", -gravida is a suffix term that refers to "pregnant woman". A primigravida is a woman who becomes pregnant for the first time or who becomes pregnant once.  

The prefix mon(o)- means "one" or "single". Example is the word mon(o)/cyte. Mon(o)- is a prefix meaning "single", -cyte is a suffix that refers to "cell". The monocyte is a white blood cell that has a single nucleus.

The prefix uni- means "one" or "single". Example is the word uni/cellular. Uni- is a prefix meaning "single", cellular means "relating to, or resembling a cell". A single-celled organism is considered unicellular.

The prefix hapl(o)- means "one" or "single". Example is the word hapl/oid. Hapl- is a prefix that means "single", -oid is a suffix that means "resembling". The term haploid refers to a cell that contains only one set of unpaired chromosomes, such as an egg or sperm.

The prefix di- means "two" or "double". Example is the word di/acid. Di- is a prefix that means "double", and acid is a word root that pertains to "sour" or "acid". A diacid molecule is capable of neutralizing two protons. 

The prefix dipl(o)- means "two" or "double". Example is the word dipl/opia. Dipl- is a prefix that means "double", -opia is a suffix that refers to "vision". Diplopia is condition also known as double vision.

The prefix bi- means "two" or "double". Example is the word bi/pedal. 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". Bipedal refers to having two legs or two feet.

The prefix tri- means "three". Example is the word tri/cuspid. Tri- is a prefix that means "three", cuspid is a triangular flap of a heart valve. Three cusps make up the tricuspid valve, which prevents the backflow of blood from the right ventricle into the right atrium.

The prefix quadr(i)- means "four". Example is the word quadr(i)/plegia. Quadr(i)- is a prefix that means "four",  -plegia is a suffix that pertains to paralysis. Quadriplegia is paralysis of all four limbs.

The prefix tetr(a)- means "four". Example is the word tetr(a)/logy. Tetr(a)- is a prefix that means "four",  -logy is a suffix that pertains to "study of". In Tetralogy of Fallot, four heart defects occur at birth (congenital).

The prefix pent(a)- means "five". Example is the word pent(a)/dactyl. Pent(a)- is a prefix that means "five",  -dactyl is a suffix that pertains to "fingers" or "toes". Pentadactyl is defined as having five digits on a limb.

The prefix hex(a)- means "six". Example is the word hex(a)/hydr/ate. 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". The hexahydrate is a chemical compound that consists of six molecules of water.

The prefix hept(a)- means "seven". Example is the word hept(a)/peptide. Hept(a)- is a prefix that means "seven",  the term peptide refers to a molecule that consists of two or more amino acids. Heptapeptide is consists of seven amino acids linked by peptide bonds.

The prefix oct(o)- or oct(a)- means "eight". Example is the word oct(o)/phobia. Oct(o)- is a prefix that means "eight", -phobia is a suffix that means "irrational fear". Octophobia is an irrational fear of the number eight.

The prefix nona- or noni- means "nine". Example is the word noni/gravida. Noni- is a prefix that means "nine", gravida is a word root that refers to a "pregnant woman". A nonigravida is a woman who is pregnant for the ninth time.

The prefix dec(a)- or dec(i)- means "ten". Example is the word dec(i)/bel. Dec(i)- is a prefix that means "ten", bel refers to a unit of comparison for communication power or sound intensity. Decibels are units of measurement of sound intensity that are one tenth of a bel on the logarithmic scale.

The prefix cent(i)- means "hundred". Example is the word cent(i)/grade. Cent(i)- is a prefix that means "hundred", grade refers to "degree" or "rating". Centigrade temperature scale in which the freezing point of water is 0° and its boiling point is 100° at standard atmospheric pressure. 

The prefix milli- means "thousand". Example is the word milli/calor/i/e. Milli- pertains to "thousand", calor/i is a combining form that means "heat", and -e is a suffix that is used to form nouns. Millicalorie is one thousandth of a calorie (a unit of energy or heat).