Medical Terminology Simplified

APPENDIX

A

Glossary of Medical

Word Elements

Medical Word Medical Word

Element Meaning Element Meaning

A

a- without, not

ab- from, away from

abdomin/o abdomen

abort/o to miscarry

-ac pertaining to

acid/o acid

acous/o hearing

acr/o extremity

acromi/o acromion (projection of the

scapula)

-acusis hearing

-ad toward

ad- toward

aden/o gland

adenoid/o adenoids

adip/o fat

adren/o adrenal glands

adrenal/o adrenal glands

aer/o air

af- toward

agglutin/o clumping, gluing

agora- marketplace

-al pertaining to

albin/o white

albumin/o albumin (protein)

-algesia pain

-algia pain

allo- other, differing from the normal

alveol/o alveolus; air sac

ambly/o dull, dim

amni/o amnion (amniotic sac)

an- without, not

an/o anus

ana- against; up; back

andr/o male

aneurysm/o widened blood vessel

angi/o vessel (usually blood or lymph)

aniso- unequal, dissimilar

ankyl/o stiffness; bent, crooked

ante- before, in front of

anter/o anterior, front

anthrac/o coal, coal dust

anti- against

aort/o aorta

append/o appendix

appendic/o appendix

aque/o water

-ar pertaining to

-arche beginning

arteri/o artery

arteriol/o arteriole

arthr/o joint

-ary pertaining to

asbest/o asbestos

-asthenia weakness, debility

astr/o star

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