Word roots, prefixes and suffixes of anatomical terms :




A --- 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



(Click here to take a 'Word Roots' quiz!)



Prefix/suffixExampleMeaning
pachy-Pachyderma Thick
palpebr-PalpebraOf or pertaining to the eyelid
pan-, pant-Panophobia Complete, or containing everything
papill-PapillitisOf or pertaining to the nipple
papul-PapulationSmall elevation or swelling in the skin
para- Alongside of, abnormal
-paresisHemiparesis Slight paralysis
parvo-ParvovirusSmall
patho-PathologyDisease
-pathySociopathy A disease, or disorder
pauci-Pauci-immuneFew
pector-Pectoralgia Breast
ped-, -ped-, -pesPedoscopeOf or pertaining to the foot; -footed
ped-, pedo-Pediatrics Of or pertaining to the child
pelv-PelvisHip bone
-peniaOsteopenia Deficiency
peo-PeotomyOf or pertaining to the penis
-pepsiaDyspepsiaRelating to digestion, or the digestive tract
per- Through
peri-PeriodontalSurrounding, around
-pexyNephropexyFixation
phaco-Phacolysis Lens-shaped
-phage, -phagiaSarcophagiaRelating to eating or ingestion
phag-Phagocyte Eating, devouring
phagist-:LotophagiFeeds on
-phagyAnthropophagyFeeding on
phallo-AphalliaPhallus
pharmaco-Pharmacology Drug, medication
pharyng-PharyngitisOf or pertaining to the pharynx
-philHemophiliaAttraction for
-phillicHydrophilicTo like
phleb-PhlebotomyOf or pertaining to the veins, a vein
-phobePhotophobia Fear of, aversion to
-phobiaArachnophobia Exaggerated fear, sensitivity
phon-Phonograph Sound
phos-PhospheneOf or pertaining to light
phot-PhotopathyOf or pertaining to light
phren-Schizophrenia The mind
phyt-Hydrophyte To grow
pilo-DepilatoryHair
piri-Piriformis musclePear shaped
-plasiaAchondroplasiaFormation, development
-plastyRhinoplasty Surgical repair, reconstruction
-plegiaParaplegia Paralysis
pleio-Pleiomorphism More, excessive, multiple
pleur-, pleurPleurogenousOf or pertaining to the ribs
-plexyCataplexyStroke or seizure
-pneaApneaBreath
pneumo-PneumoniaOf or pertaining to the lungs
pneumat- Air, lung
pod-PodiatryOf or pertaining to the foot
-poiesisHematopoiesis Production
polio-PoliomyelitisA grey color
poly-PolymyositisPlurality
por- Pore, porous
porphyr-PorphyroblastA purple color
post-PostmortemAfter, or behind
pre-PrematurityBefore
presby-PresbyopiaOld age
prim-PrimaryFirst, or most-important
pro-ProcephalicBefore
procto-Proctology Anus, rectum
prosop-ProsopagnosiaFace
prot-ProtoneuronFirst, or most important
pseudo-PseudoephedrineFalse, or fake
psych-, psychPsychologyOf or pertaining to the mind
pterygo-Lateral pterygoid platePertaining to a wing
psor-PsoriasisItching
-ptosisApoptosisFalling, drooping
-ptysisHemoptysis Spitting
pulmo-Pulmonary Of or relating to the lungs
pyel-PyelonephritisPelvis
pykno-PyknosisTo thicken
pyo-PyometraPus
pyro-AntipyreticFever




Resources :


In this section we've added a few alternative study aids to help you along.