Medical Terminology Simplified

Section Review 1–2

Common Prefixes

562 APPENDIX B• Answer Key

Term Meaning

dia/rrhea discharge or flow through (abnormally frequent discharge or flow

dī-ă-RĒ-ă of fluid fecal matter from the bowel)

dia-: through, across

arteri/o/rrhexis rupture of an artery

ăr-tē-rē-ō-RĔK-sĭs

arteri/o: artery

arteri/o/stenosis narrowing or stricture of an artery

ăr-tē-rē-ō-stĕ-NŌ-sĭs

arteri/o: artery

hepat/o/toxic potentially destructive to the liver

HĔP-ă-tō-tŏk-sĭk

hepat/o: liver

dys/trophy bad development or nourishment (abnormal condition caused by

DĬS-trō-fē defective nutrition or metabolism)

dys-: bad; painful; difficult

Singular Plural Rule

1. sarcoma sarcomata Retain the maand add ta.


2. thrombus thrombi Drop usand add i.


3. appendix appendices Drop ixand add ices.


4. diverticulum diverticula Drop umand add a.


5. ovary ovaries Drop yand add ies.


6. diagnosis diagnoses Drop isand add es.


7. lumen lumina Drop enand add ina.
   8.vertebra vertebrae Retain the aand add e.


8. thorax thoraces Drop the xand add ces.


9. spermatozoon spermatozoa Drop onand add a.

Term Meaning

a/mast/ia without a breast

ă-MĂS-tē-ă

mast: breast

-ia: condition

an/esthesia without feeling (partial or complete loss of sensation with or

ăn-ĕs-THĒ-zē-ă without loss of consciousness)

-esthesia: feeling

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