Chapter 4

Prefixes
The Language of Medicine

Apnea
Without breathing

Anoxia
A condition of no oxygen in the tissue

Abnormal
Irregular

Abductor
Any muscle that moves a part of the body away from the body

Adductor
Any muscle that moves a part of the body towards the middle
line of the body

Adrenal glands
Two endocrine glands each above a kidney / suprarenal glands

Anabolism
The process of making complex molecules such as proteins
from simpler substances

Analysis
Separating a substance into its components

Ante cibum
Before meals
Anteflexion
The abnormal bending forward of an organ especially the
bending of the body of the womb towards the front

Antepartum
Before birth

Antisepsis
The destruction of microorganisms to prevent infection

Antibiotic
A substance produced by a microorganism that reduces or
inhibits the growth of other organisms

Antigen
Any substance that the body regards as foreign and stimulates
production of antibodies

Antibody
A protein produced by WBC to fight antigens

Antitoxin
An antibody produced by the body to counteract a toxin

Autoimmune
The body makes antibodies against its normal cells and tissues
causing inflammation

Bi furc ation
Branching into two parts such as bifurcation of the trachea

Bilateral
Pertaining to both sides
Bradycardia
A condition of slow heart rate / a pulse of less than 60

Catabolism
Breaking down of complex materials to form simpler
substances and release energy

Congenital anomaly
An abnormality present at birth

Connective tissue
A tissue that binds or supports other tissues and parts - bone,
cartilage and fibrous tissues are examples.

Contraindication
Any factor in a patient’s condition that makes it unwise to
pursue a certain line of treatment

Contralateral
Affecting the opposite side of the body

Dehydration
Deficiency of water in body tissue

Diameter
Length of a straight line between opposite points on the
periphery of a circular body part (blood vessels or intestines)

Diarrhea
Frequent discharge of watery and loose wastes from the colon

Dialysis
Complete separation of nitrogenous wastes/urea from the
blood when kidneys fail
Dyspnea
Painful/difficult breathing

Dysplasia
Condition of abnormal formation

Ectopic pregnancy
Development of a fetus in a place other than the uterus
(fallopian tubes)
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Endocardium
The inner lining of the heart

Endoscope
An instrument to visually examine the interior of the body
(bronchsocpe and colonoscope)

Endotracheal
Pertaining to within the trachea

Epithelium
Layer of cells covering the external surface of the body and
lining the hollow tubes within the body

Euphoria
A condition of exaggerated well-being (feeling good)

Euthyroid
Having a normally functioning thyroid gland

Exophthalmos
Protrusion of the eyeballs (associated with hyperthyroidism)

Hemiglossectomy
Removal (resection) of half (one side) of the tongue
Hyperglycemia
High levels of sugar in the blood

Hyperplasia
Condition of increased formation of cells / increase in cell
numbers

Hypertrophy
an increase in the size of a muscle or an organ because of an
increase in the size of the individual cells

Hypodermic
Pertaining to under the skin

Hypoglycemia
Lower than normal level of sugar in the blood

Insomniac
Pertaining to without sleep

Incision
The process of cutting into

Infracostal
Pertaining to below the ribs

Intercostal
Pertaining to between the ribs

intravenous
Pertaining to within a vein

Macrocephaly
Abnormal largeness of the head
Malignant
Cancerous; harmful

Malaise
A general feeling of being unwell

Metacarpal bones
Bones that lie beyond the wrist bones (hand bones)

Metamorphosis
An abnormal condition of change in shape or form

Metastasis
Spread of a cancerous tumor from its original site to a new or
distant location

Microscope
An instrument to view small objects

Neonatal
Pertaining to a new born baby/ the first four weeks after birth

Neoplasm
A new and abnormal growth of tissue / tumor (benign or
malignant)

Pancytopenia
Deficiency of all blood cells – red, white blood cells and
platelets

Paralysis
Destruction of nerve tissue leading to loss of sensation or
motion in a part of the body
Parathyroid glands
Two pairs of endocrine glands situated behind the thyroid
gland

Percutaneous
Pertaining to through the skin

Pericardium
A membrane (sac) surrounding the heart

Periosteum
A membrane surrounding a bone

Polymorphonuclear
Pertaining to a nucleus with several shapes

Polyneuritis
Inflammation of many nerves

Postmortem
After death

Postpartum
After birth

Precancerous
Pertaining to occurring before a malignant condition

Prenatal
Pertaining to before birth

Prodrome
Symptoms that appear before the onset of a more serious
illness
Prolapse
sliding forward or downward of a part of the body / uterus

Pseudocyesis
False pregnancy

Relapse
Return/recurrence of symptoms of a disease after apparent
recovery (sliding back)

Remission
disappearance of the symptoms of a disease

Recombinant DNA
Insertion of a gene (region of DNA) from an organism into the
DNA of another organism

Retroperitoneal
Pertaining to behind the peritoneum

Retroflexion
The bending back of an organ or a part of an organ especially
the upper part of the womb

Subcutaneous
Pertaining to under the skin

Subcutaneous layer
Lower layer of the skin composed of fatty tissue

Suprapubic
Pertaining to above the pubic bones / anterior part of the hip
bone
Syndactyly
The congenital fusion of fingers or toes

Synthesis
The combination of simple substances to create something new
and more complex

Syndrome
A set of symptoms that occur together indicating a particular
condition or disorder

Symbiosis
An association between two different species of organisms in
which there is mutual aid and benefit

Symmetry
Equality of parts, literally measured together (on the opposite
side of the body)

Symphysis
Bones that grow together separated by a piece of fibrocartilage
(pubic symphysis)

Tachypnea
A condition of fast breathing

Transfusion
The transfer of blood from one person to another

Transurethral
Pertaining to across the urethra

Ultrasonography
Use of high frequency sound waves that are beyond the range
of normal hearing to produce a record or a picture of an organ
Unilateral
Pertaining to one side