Common Latin and Greek Roots and Terms

The following is a list of Latin and Greek roots and terms. In the medical field, you will often come by medical terms that bear these roots and terms. It is therefore sometimes important to recognize the meanings of prefixes and suffixes that are found in scientific words. You'll most likely understand them better by knowing the meanings of such prefixes and suffixes.

Latin Terms and Roots

Greek Terms and Roots

B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z

A

a-,an-

not, without (abiogenesis, anamniote)

acanth-

thorn (acantha, Acanthias, acantho)

aer-

air (aerobe, anaerobic, anaerobiosis)

-agogue

carrying away, drive out (cholagogue, chloragogue)

all-

other (allergy, allometric)

allelon-

of one another (allele, allelomorphic, parallel)

amph-

both, on both sides (amphiaster, amphibian, amphoteric)

amyl-

starch (amylase, amylopsin, paramylum)

ana-

up, back, anew, again (anabolism, anaphase)

andr-

man (adrogen, gynander)

anth-

flower (anther, Anthozoa, Helianthus)

anthrop-

man (anthropology, anthropoid, Pithecanthropus)

anti-

opposite, against (antiseptic, antigen, antibody)

apo-

from, off from (aponeurosis, apochromatic)

arch-

beginning, primitive, ancient (archenteron, Archeopteryx)

argyr-

silver (argyrol, argyrophil)

arthron

joint (Arthropod, arthritis, arthrodial, arthrosis)

asc-

bottle, bag, bladder (Ascidian, ascon, Ascomycetes, ascus)

-ase

suffix to word denoting substrate and signifying an enzyme acting on that substrate (zymase, sucrase)

aster, astr-

star (amphiaster, Asterias, astrocyte)

auto-

self (autonomic, auto-intoxication)

aux-

growth, increase (auxin, auxospore)

axon

same (axocyte, axonal)

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B

bacter-, bactr-

same (bacterium)

basidi-

pedestal (basidium, Basidiomycetes, basidiospore)

basil-

king, royal, important (basilic, Basiliscus)

basis, -es

base, bottom (basilar, basipodite)

bath-, bathy-

depth or height (Bathornis, bathysphere)

blast-

bud, sprout, germ (blastoderm, osteoblast)

brachy-

short (brachydactyly, brachycephalic)

brady-

slow (bradycardia)

branch-

gill (branchia, branchial, Lamellibranch, branchio-)

bronchus

air tubes (bronchial, bronchoscope)

bryo-

moss (bryology, Bryophyta, Bryozoa)

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C

cac-

bad (cachexia, cacophony)

caen-

recent (caenozoic) See cene. Also spelled kaen, ken

cata

down (catabolism, catalyst) Also spelled kata

cele

tumor, hernia (celosomia, hydrocele)

cello-

belly (celiac, cellotomy) Also coelio

cen-

empty, void (cenosis) Also ken-kenophobia

cene

recent (cenogenesis, pliocene) Also kene

centrum

center (centrifuge, centroacinar)

cephale

head (cephalic, encephalon)

chaete

hair (Chaetognathia, Oligochaeta)

chilo-

lip (chilognathouranoschisis, Chilomastix)

chir-

hand (chiropodist, chirurgeon, Chiroptera)

chlor-

green (chlorophyl, chloragogue)

chrom-, chromat-

color (chromosome, chromatin, achromatic)

coel-

same as celo; hollow (coelom, Coelenterata)

crypt-

hidden (crypt, cryptic, cryptogram)

cyt-

hollow, cell (leucocyte, cyton, cytoplasm)

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D

derm-, dermat-

skin (dermal, dermis, dermatome, pachyderm)

dia

through (dialysis, diaphragm, diarrhea)

diplo-

double (diploid, diploblastic)

dis-, di-

apart from, asunder (dissect, diverge)

drilus, -i

worm, lizard - combining forms of names of worms, (Megadrili, Microdili) Also crocodilus

dys

difficult, painful, ill (dyspnea, dysgenic, dysfunction)

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E

ec

out of (ecdysis, ectopic) Also for oec

echin-

hedgehog, spiny (Echinodermata, echinous)

ecto

out, outside (ectoderm, ectoplasm)

em

in (empyema)

emys

tortoise - prefix and suffix of names (Emysuchus, Graptemys)

en

in (encapsulate, encysted)

endo

in, inside (endoderm, endoplasm, endocrine)

eo-

dawn (Eoanthropus, eocene, eolith)

epi

upon, on top of (epidermis, epinephrine, epistasis)

erythro-

red (erythrocyte, erythrophyl, erythrophage)

ethm-

sieve, strainer (ethmo-, ethmoid)

ethn-

people, race (ethnic, ethnology)

eu

well, very, exceedingly (Eutheria, eugenic)

ex

from, out (exostosis, excurrent)

exo

outside, on outside (exocrine, exoskeleton)

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F

None Listed

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G

-gale

weasel, martin, cat - suffix of names of cat-like animals (Spilogale, Boreogale; also Galeodes)

gam-

marriage (gamete, gametophyte, cryptogram, monogamy)

gaster, gastr-

belly (gasterangiemphraxis, gastro-, gastrula)

ge-

earth (geology, geotropism)

gen-, geno-, -geny, genesis

bring to life, create, make (gene, genetics, genotype, parthenogenesis, sporogenous, zymogen)

gram-

writing (diagram, electrocardiogram)

graph, -y

writing (kymograph)

gyn-, gynec-

woman (gynander, gynecology)

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H

haplo-

single, simple (haploid)

helio-

sun (heliotropism, Heliotropium, Heliozoa)

helminth-

worm (Platyhelminthes)

hemi-

half, incomplete (Hemichordata, hemiazygos, Hemiptera)

hepat-

liver (hepatic, hepatectomy)

hetero-

other, different (heterosis, heterozygote, heterodont

histo-

web, tissue (histology, histocyte, (also histiocyte), histogenesis)

hystero

womb, uterus (hysterectomy, hysteropexy, hysteria)

holo-

all, entire, whole (holoblastic, holophytic, holozoic, holism)

homeo-

like (homeopath)

homo-

alike (homology, homogenize, homozygote, Homoptera)

hyal-

glass (hyaline)

hydr-

water (hydrolysis, hydrophobia, anhydrous, hydrophilic)

hyper-

above, over, excessive (hypertonic, hypertrophy)

hypn-

sleep (hypnosis)

hypo

under, lower, deficient (hypotonic, hypoglossal, hypostasis)

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I

iso-

equal (isotonic, isosmotic, isomer, anisogamy)

-ite, -ites, -itis

1) division of body (somite) 2) salt or ester of an -ous acid (sulphite)

-ites

suffix denoting pertaining to (ascites); fossil form (Ammonites)

-itis

suffix denoting inflammation (appendicitis)

-ize

denominative verb form used as suffix (catheterize, anaesthetize) Also spelled ise

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J

None Listed

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K

None Listed

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L

leuc-

white (leucocyte, leucopenia, leucemia) Also spelled leuko-

-log, -logy

word, study, doctrine (analog(ue), biology, homologous)

lys-, lyt-

unfasten, dissolve (analysis, proteolytic)

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M

-ma, mata

indicating the result of an action (empyema, traumatic)

macro-

large (macrocyte, macrophage, macronucleus)

meg-, megal-

great (megaspore, megalomania, acromegaly)

melan-

black (melanin, melanophore)

mes-

middle (mesentery, mesoderm)

meta

after, beyond, change or transformation (metabolism, metamorphosis, metaphase, metencephalon); metabola - combining form referring to type of metamorphosis

meter, metr-

measure (thermometer, biometry)

micro-

small (micron); plural form - micra; micronucleus, microscope

mio-

less, smaller (miocene)

mono-

one, single (monosaccharide, monoecious)

morph-

form, structure (morphology, metamorphosis, polymorphonuclear, amorphous)

myces, mycetes

fungus mycelium, mycology, mycosis); used both as prefix and suffix of names, e.g., Mycetozoa, Schizomycetes

myco-

mucus (mycocyte, Mycobacteriaceae)

myel-

marrow (myelencephalon, myelin, myelitis, myeloblast, myelocyte, myelogenous, myeloid, poliomyelitis)

mys, my-

1) mouse - used as prefix and suffix of names of mouselike animals, e.g. Mysateles, Geomys. Must not be confused with emys (q.v.). 2) muscle (from mouse shape) - endo-, peri-, epimysium, myasthenia, myalgia. Usually in form of myo: myology, myocardium, myotome, myomere, myometrium

myx-

slime, mucus (Myxinoidei, myxedema, Myxomycetes)

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N

necro-

dead (necrosis, necrotic)

neo-

new, recent (neopallium, neoplasm)

nom-

law (taxonomy, autonomic)

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O

odont-

tooth (odontology, homodont, odontoblast)

oec-, ec-

house (dioecious, ecology, economy)

-oid

like (neuroid, toxoid)

oligo-

few (oligodendroglia, oligodynamic)

oön

egg (oötheca, cumulus oöphorus)

ont-

being (paleontology, ontogeny)

ophithalmo-

eye (ophthalmoscope)

opisth-

behind, at the back (opisthocoelus, opisthotic, Opisthocesmia)

opsis

sight, appearance - suffix to names of animals signifying similarity to another animal - Doridopsis, similar to Doris

ornis, ornith-

bird (Alcippornis, ornithology, Neo-ornithes)

ortho-

straight (orthogenesis, Orthoptera, orthopedist)

-osis

denoting a condition (leucocytosis, dermatomycosis)

osteo-

bone (osteology, Teleostei)

ot-

ear (otalgia, otic, otology)

oxus, oxy-

sharp, pointed (Amphioxus, oxygen, Oxyura)

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P

pachy-

thick (pachyderm)

paed-

child (paedognesis)

paleo-

old (paleontology, paleocene)

palin-

again, back (palingenesis)

pan, pant-

all panspermy, pangenesis, panthothenic)

para

beside, near, wrong in (parathyroid, parachordal, Paranoia); combining form of names denoting close relationship to principal form - Parapeneus

parthen-

virgin (parthenogenesis)

path-, pathy

suffer, pain (pathology, sympathetic)

pauro-

little, few - combining form of names denoting fewness of some structure - Pauropoda

ped-

child (pediatrics, pedagogue)

penia

poverty, reduced amount (leucopenia)

peri

around (periosteum, pericardum, perineurium, perimetrium)

phag-

devour (phagocytosis, bacteriophage, anthropophage)

phaner-

visible, manifest (Phanerogam, phaneroscope)

pharmac-

drug (pharmaceutical, pharmacist, pharmacology)

phase

appearance - one of the stages of development - metaphase; a distinct portion of a heterogenous system, e.g. oil and water

pheno-

appearance (phenotype, phenology)

-phil

loving (eosinophil, hydrophil, hemophilia, philanthropy)

-phob

hating (hydrophobe, hydrophobia, Helophobius)

photo-

light (photosynthesis, photoscopic)

phren-

1) diaphragm (diaphragm) 2)mind (phrenology, aphrenia)

phyl-

tribe, race (phylum, phylogeny, phyletic)

phyll-

leaf (phyllotaxis, chlorophyll)

physi-

1) nature, constitution (physics, physiology, physique 2) growth (epiphysis, hypophysis, apophysis)

phyt-

plant (phytopathology, Thallophyta, saprophytic)

platy-

flat (Platyhelminthes, Platypus, amphiplatyan)

pleo-

more (pleomorphism, pleonasm, pleochromatic

pleio-

more (pleiocene, pleiotropia)

pleist-

most (pleistocene)

plesio

near (plesiomorphism, Plesiosaurus)

pleur-

side (pleura, pleural, pleurisy,somatopleure)

pneuma, pneumat-

breath, air (pneumatic, pneumon [lung])

pod-

foot (pseudopod, pseuodpodium, Cephalopod)

poikilo-

manifold (poikilothermous, poikilocyte)

poly-

many (polybasic, polychromatic, polymer, polymorphic, polyp); poly and pous - foot; Combining form of names, meaning many of some structure (Polyodontidae)

pro

before (prophase, pronephros)

prote-

Proteus, a god who could change his form at will - protean, Proteo - combining form of names denoting changeable shape (Proteomyxa, Proteosoma)

proto-

first, primitive (protoplasm, protein, protozoa)

pseud-

false (pseudopod, pseudostratified); combining form of names signifying not true form (Pseudopallene)

psyche

mind (psychic, psychobiology, psychopathic, psychosis)

pter-, ptery-, pterid-

wing (pterygoid, Pteridophyta, Crossopterygii, Pterodactyl)

-ptera

suffix denoting type of wing of many orders of insects (Diptera); also winged mammals (Chiroptera)

py-, pyo-

pus (pyemia, pyogenic, Pyococcus, pyorrhea)

pycn-

thick, dense (pycnidium, pycnotic)

pyel-

pan, pelvis (pyelitis, pyelogram)

pyg-

buttocks (pygalgia, Pygopodes, cytopyge, steatopygous)

pyr-

fire (pyrexis, pyrogenic, pyromania, pyromania, pyrophobia)

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Q

None Listed

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R

raphe

seam (raphe anococcygea, raphe scroti)

-raphy

suturing, stitching (cardiorrhaphy)

rhag-

burst (hemorrhage)

rhe-

flow (rheobase, rheotropism); when preceded by a short vowel another r added: diarrhea, catarrh, hemorrhoids

rhex-

rupture (cardiorhexis)

rhiz-

root (rhizome, mycorrhiza, Rhizopoda)

rhod-

rose (rhododendron, rhodopsin)

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S

salpinx, salping-

trumpet - the Fallopian and Eustachian tubes (salpingitis, salpingocyesis)

sanus-, -a, -um

healthy - sane (sanity)

sapr-

rotten (sapremia, saprine, saprophyte, saprozoic)

sarx, sarc-

flesh (Sarcodina, sarcoma, sarcomere, sarcoplasm, sarcostyle)

scaph-

skiff (scaphocephalic, scaphoid)

schisto-

split, cleaved (schistocyte, Schistosoma)

schiz

split, cleave (shizaxon, Schizomycetes, schizophrenia)

scler-

hard (sclera, sclerectomy, sclerosis, sclerotome)

scop-

to see (scopophobia, microscope)

sepsis, septic-

putrefaction, rotting, infection (antiseptic, septicemia)

sesemo-

seed of sesame plant (sesemoid)

sial-

saliva (sialaden, sialagogue, sialorrhea)

sider-

iron (siderism, siderophil, siderosis)

sigma

letter s - sigma reaction, sigmoid flexure

sito-

food (sitology, stiotoxin, sitotropism, parasite)

skia

shadow (skiagram, skiascopy, skiodan)

soma, somat-

body (somatic, somatology, somatoplasm, somatopleure, somite, chromosome)

sperm-, spermat-

seed (sperm-aster, spermatic, spermatid, spermatocyte, Spermatophyta, spermatozoon, spermatozoid)

sphen-

wedge (sphenoid, sphenopalatine, sphenotic)

sphincter

that which binds, band - pyloric sphincter, sphincter pupilae, sphincteroscope

sphygmo-

pulse (sphygmograph, sphygmomanometer, asphyxia)

spir-

coil (spireme, Spirochaeta, Spironema)

splanch-

internal organs (splanchnic, splanchnopleure)

spondyl-

vertebra (spondylarthritis, spondylosis, spondylous)

spor-

seed (sporangium, spore, sporogeny, Sporozoa)

stadium, -a

measure - stage of disease, interval in metamorphosis

staphyl-

bunch of grapes, the uvula (staphylitis, Staphylococcus)

stasis, stat-

standing still (hemostasis, hemostat, static)

stear-, steat- ,dd>fat (steapsin, stearin, steatopygous)

sten-

narrow (stention, stenopeic, stenosis)

stereo-

solid (stereocilium, stereoisomer, stereoscope)

sternum

chest (sternebra, sternocleidomastoid)

stetho-

chest (stethemia, stethograph, stethoscope)

stigma, stigmat-

mark (astigmatism, stigmatic, stigmatodermia)

stoma, stomata, -stomy

mouth (stomodaeum, enterostomy)

strepto-

twisted, curved (strepticemia, Streptococcus, Streptothrix, streptotrichal)

styl-

pillar, beam (style, styliform, styloid, stylus)

sym or syn

together (symbiosis, symphysis, syncytium, synapse, synthesis)

syrinx, syring-

pipe, tube (Syringa, syringe, syringomyelia)

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T

tach-, tachy-

swift, speed (tachometer, tachycardia)

tarsus

wicker-work frame - instep (tarsale, medial tarsalis, tarsotibial)

taxis

arrangement, order (phyllotaxis, taxonomy)

tele-, telo-

end, distant (telecephalon, telephase or telophase)

tera-, terat-

monster (teratism, teratology, teratosis)

tetanus

tension (tetanic, tetanotoxin, tetany)

tetra

four (tetrabasic, tetrad, tetravalent)

thalamus

bed, bedroom (thalamencephalon, thalamic, thalamocortical)

thallus

young shoot (Thallophyta, thallospore)

theca, -ae

case, chest, sheath, a box (theca folliculi, thecitis, thecodont, oötheca)

thel

nipple (thelitis, thelium, epithelium)

ther-

wild beast (Therapsids, Theromorphia, -therium); English: -there(s); combining form of names of mammals (Eutheria, Titanotherium or Titanothere)

therm-

heat (therm, thermal, thermometer, thermopile, thermos, isotherm, homothermous)

thio-

sulphur (thioacid, Thiobacillus, thiophilic)

thorax, thorac-

breastplate, the chest (thoracic, thoracolumbar)

thrix, trich-

hair (Ulothrix, Trichina, trichinosis)

thrombus

clot (thrombin, thrombogen, thrombosis)

thymus

excrescence, gland (thymectomy, thymocyte)

thymus

thyme (pro. time) (thymene, thymol)

thyre-

shield (thyreoid or thyroid, thyroxin)

tome, tomy

cut (myotome,microtome, anatomy, appendectomy)

tox-, toxic

poison (toxin, toxoid, intoxication)

trapez-

a table or counter (medial trapezius, trapezium, trapezoid)

trauma, trauat-

wound (traumatic, tamuatism, traumatology)

trop-

turning (tropism, geotropic, heliotrope)

troph-y

nourishment (trophic, trophoblast, trophoderm, atrophy, hypertrophy, dystrophy)

tympanum

drum (typanal, tympanic, n. chorda tympani, tympano-)

typhlo-

blind, cecum (typhlosis, typhlosole)

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U

ur-

tail (uropod, Urochordata, Anura)

ur-

urine (urea, uremia, urine, urology, ureter, urethra)

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V

None Listed

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W

None Listed

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X

xanth-

yellow (xanthein, Xanthium, xanthophyll)

xeno-

stranger (xenia, xenoparasite, Xenopsylla)

xer-

dry (xerasia, exrophilic, xerophyte, xerosis)

xiph-

sword (xiphisternum, xiphocostal, xiphoid)

xyl-

wood (xylan, xylem, Xylocarpus, xylol

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Y

None Listed

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Z

zona

belt (zona radiata, zonule, zonary)

Zo¨o, zoa

living thing, animal (zolatria, zoic, zo¨ogenesis, zoology, Protozoa, speratozo¨on, azoic)

zyg-

yoke (zygapophysis, zygoma, zygote, azygos, homozygous)

zym-

yeast (zymase, zymogen, enzyme)

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Latin Roots and Terms

A B

A

a-, ab-, abs-

away from aversion (abductor, abstract)

ad-

to, towards (adductor) When used as a prefix the d is sometimes changed to the first consonant of the following word, e.g., acclimate, afferent, assimilate; As a suffix it means towards the part of the body indicated by word to which it is suffixed, e.g., cephalad, towards the head; caudad, towards the tail

ala-

wing (alar, alate, aliform, alisphenoid)

amb-

both, on both sides (ambivalent, amboceptor)

ante-

before, in front of (antebrachium)

apex, apic-

tip, point (apex)

aqu-

water (aquarium, aquatic, aqueous humor)

arbor-

tree (Arbor Vitae, arboreal, arboretum)

arc-

bow, bent (arciform, Arcopetera, arcuate)

area

open space (a. opaca, areolar)

argent-

silver (argentaffin, argentine)

-aria

suffix denoting "like" or "connected with" - (Utricularia)

-arium

suffix denoting place of a thing (aquarium, herbarium)

ascendens

going up (aorta ascendens)

-ata

neuter plural ending of perfect participle used as suffix to name of some structure and signifying a group of organisms characterized by that structure (Chordata, Vertebrata)

atrium, -a

entrance, room (atrial, atriopore)

aur-

1. aur (auroduct, Aurophysa); 2. ear (auropuncture); 3. gold (aureus, Aurococcus)

auricul-

dim of auris - ear (auricle, auricular)

axis

axle-tree (axial, epaxial, hypaxial)

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B

bis-, bi-, bin-

double, twice (bisiliac, bilateral, binocular

brachium, -a

arm (brachial, brachio-)

brevis

short (caput breve, breviflex, breviradiate)

bursa, -ae

pouch (b. omentalis, bursate, bursitis)

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