University

of Pittsburgh

Clinical Terminology for International and U.S. Students

PRS List
Prefix, Root, Suffix List

This list is a tool to help you decode complex medical terms. You first step is to identify a term, and then
separate it into 2 or 3 segments or syllables. Then check the left column below. All of the word
segments in the left column are a portion or segment of a longer medical term. When you find the
segment you are interested in, look at the second column. You will find a brief meaning for that
segment. Precede what you read with the words pertaining to. Then check the third column where
you will find an example of a word using the segment of interest.
Now about prefixes, roots and suffixes: You will not be asked to identify whether something is a prefix,
root or suffix. If you would like to understand what prefixes, roots and suffixes are and how they are
presented, read on. A prefix is seen at the beginning of a word. In the PRS List the prefixes have dashes
after the letters to signify the continuation of letters. Those that are commonly suffixes and occur at the
end of medical terms have dashes at the beginning. Roots often refer to a body part, e.g. tendonitis
decoded is tendon (body part or root). Then the itis is a suffix meaning inflammation and describing
the root. Many prefixes, roots, and suffixes are used interchangeably. This is not a comprehensive list;
we present only the most common. If you are not finding what you need, let us know on the discussion
board. Your study guide for each week will contain a list of terms for practicing decoding. The answers
will be presented and discussed on the discussion board.
Here is a sample decoding:
You find the word erythrocyte. You do not know what it means.
First break the word into syllables: erythro and cyte.
Find erythro on the PRS list: pertaining to red.
Find cyte on the PRS List: pertaining to cell.
Ah, ha, an erythrocyte is a red cell.
Did you break the code to figure out that an erythrocyte is? It is a red (blood) cell?

Beginners Prefix, Root, Suffix List for Decoding Complex Medical Terms
Word
Segments

Pertaining to--

Example

A
a--
ab--

absence of
away from

apnea
abduct

University of Pittsburgh

Clinical Terminology for International and U.S. Students
acous--
ad--
adeno--
adip--
an--
angio--
ante--
anti--
--ase
arthro/i--
--asthenia
auri--
bi--
blepharo
brachi--
brady--
carcin--
cardio--
--cele
--centesis
cephal--
cerebro--
cholecysto--
chondro
--cidal
coagula
contra--
cranio--
--crine
cryo--
cutane--
cysto--
cyto--
de--
dermat--
dextro--
dont/ent
dorsi--
--dynia
dys--

hearing
toward
gland
fat
without
vessel
before
against
enzyme
joint
weakness
ear
B
twice or double
eye lid
arm
slow
C
cancer
heart
pouching
puncture
head
brain
gall bladder
cartilage
kill
curdle, clot
opposite
skull
secrete
cold
skin
bladder
cell
D
away from
skin
right
teeth
the back
pain
difficulty

acoustic
adduct
adenocarcinoma
adipose tissue
anuria
angiogram
antepartum
antibiotic
lipase
arthritis
myasthenia
auricular
bilateral
blepharospasm
brachial plexus
bradycardia
carcinogenic
cardiomegaly
cystocele
amniocentesis
hydrocephalic
cerebral cortex
cholecystectomy
costochondral joint
bactericidal
coagulate
contralateral
craniotomy
endocrine
cryosurgery
subcutaneous
cystotomy
cytology
dehydration
dermatological
dextrocardia
dental
dorsal
pleurodynia
dyspnea

University of Pittsburgh

Clinical Terminology for International and U.S. Students
ec--
--ectomy
edema
--emesis
--emia
encephalo--
endo--
entero
epi--
erythro
--esthesio
gastri/o--
--genic
genito--
geri/o--
gingiva
glossal
--gram/ph
gyne--
--globin
--globulin
hemato--
hemi--
hemo--
hepato--
homeo--
hydro/a--
hyper--
hypno--
hypo--
hyster--
--ia
--iac
--iasis
iatro--
infra--
inter--
intra--

E
out, away
removal
swelling
vomiting
blood condition
brain
inside
intestine
on, outside of
red
sensation
G
stomach
producing
reproduction
old age
gum
tongue
written, drawn
woman
protein
protein
H
blood
half
blood
liver
constant
water
high, excessive
sleep
low
uterus
I
condition
pertaining to
abnormal
condition
physician
below
between
within

ectopic pregnancy
appendectomy
lymphedema
hematemesis
anemia
encephalitis
endoscopy
gastroenterologist
epidural
erythrocyte
anesthesia
gastric
cardiogenic shock
genital
geriatric
gingival hyperplasia
glossophanangeal nerve
electrocardiogram
gynecology
hemoglobin
thyroglobulin
hematocrit
hemiplegia
hemoglobin
hepatomegaly
homeostasis
hydrocephalus
hypertension
hypnotic medication
hypothyroidism
hysterectomy
anemia
cardiac
cholelithiasis
iatrogenic fluid overload
infraclavicular lymph nodes
intercostal space
intracranial pressure

University of Pittsburgh

Clinical Terminology for International and U.S. Students
ipsi--
--ismus
iso--
--itis

the same
spasm
equal
inflammation

ipsilateral
strabismus
isotonic solution
arthritis
J

juxto--

next to

juxtaposition
K

kypho--

humped

kyphotic spine
L

labia/o
lacrim
lacta/o--
laparo
leuko
lingua
lip--
--listhesis
lith/o
--lysis

lip
tear
milk
abdomen
white
tongue
fat
dislocation
stone
dissolve

mal--
--malacia
--megaly
melan/o--
--meter
mort--
my/o--
myc/o--
myel/o--
myel/o

bad
softening
enlargement
black
to measure
dead
muscle
fungus
spinal cord
bone marrow

nasolabial fold
lacrimal gland
lactation
laparoscopy
leukocyte
sublingual gland
lipoma
spondylolisthesis
cholelithiasis
bacteriolytic
M
malodorous
osteomalacia
cardiomegaly
melanous stool
thermometer
postmortem
myositis
mycotic toenails
myelogram
myelogenous
N

narco--
naso--
neo--
nephro--

sleep
nose
new
kidney

narcotic
nasal
neoplasm
nephritis

--odyn
--oma
onc/o--
optic
ortho--
--osis
ossi--

O
painful
mass, tumor
tumor
eye, vision
straight, upright
disease
bone

pleurodynia
lipoma
oncology
optic nerve
orthodontist
psychosis
ossification

University of Pittsburgh

Clinical Terminology for International and U.S. Students
oto--
oxi--

ear
oxygen

otoscope
oxidation
P

--paresis
--pathy
--pectoris
ped, pes
--penia
--pepsia
per--
peri--
--phagia
--phasia
--phlebo
--phobia
photo--
--plasia
--plasty
--plegia
pleura/o
--pnea
pneumo--
post--
presby--
procto--
psyc--
pyo--
pyro--
--rrhage
--rrhaphy
--rrhoea
sanguine
sarco--
schiz--
scler/o
scope
semi--
somat/o--
spondylo--
--stalsis
--stasis/ic

weakness
disease
chest
foot
deficiency
stomach
through
around
eating, swallowing
speech
blood, vein
fear of
light
growth
repair
paralysis
the ribs
breathing
lung
after
old age
rectum
mind
puss
fever
R
burst forth
suturing
out flowing
S
blood
muscle
split
hard
view
half
body
spine
contraction
stop

hemiparesis
neuropathy
pectoral muscles
dorsalis pedis
ostopenia
dyspepsia
percutaneous insertion
periorbital fracture
dysphagia
aphasia
phlebotomy
claustrophobia
photophobia
hyperplasia
rhinoplasty
quadriplegic
pleural cavity
dyspnea
pneumothorax
postmortem
presbyopia
proctology
psychotropic drug
pyogenic bacteria
antipyretic drug
hemorrhage
herniorrhaphy
diarrheal stool
serosanguinous
sarcoma
schizophrenic delusion
atherosclerotic vessels
arthroscopic knee surgery
semiconscious state
somatic complaint
spondylodiscitis
peristalsis of the intestine
hemostatic agent

University of Pittsburgh

Clinical Terminology for International and U.S. Students
--staxis
stoma--
--stomy
sub--
super/ra--

dripping
mouth
opening
beneath
above

epistaxis
stomatitis
colonostomy
subcutaneous
supra ventricular tachycardia
T

tachy
tax
-tension
tetan--
therm--
thorax--
thrombo--
trans--
--tripsy
--trophy
tympan/o--

Rapid
coordination
pressure
rigid
heat
upper chest
blood clot
across
crushing
development
eardrum

tachycardia
ataxia
hypertension
tetanus
thermometer
thoracotomy
deep vein thrombosis
transfusion
lithotripsy for kidney stone
hypertrophy
tympanic membrane
U

uni--
uri/o--

one
urine

vaso--
ven--
ventro--
vesico--
viscera--

vessel
vein
belly, front
bladder
internal organs

unilateral
urinalysis
V
vasoconstriction
peripheral venous catheter
ventral hernia
vesico-vaginal fissure
visceral cavity
X

xero--

dry

--zyme

fermentation

xerostomia
Z

enzyme