Word Roots, Prefixes, Suffixes, And Combining Forms

a-, an- absence or lack eg. acardia: lack of a heart eg. anaerobic: in the absence of oxygen ab- departing from/away from eg. abnormal: departing from normal acou- hearing eg. acoustics: the science of sound ac-, acro- extreme or extremity; peak eg. acrodermatitis: inflammation of the skin of the extremities ad- to or toward eg. adorbital: toward the orbit aden-, adeno- gland eg. adeniform: resembling a gland in shape adren- toward the kidney eg. adrenal gland: adjacent to the kidney aero- air eg. aerobic respiration: oxygen-requiring metabolism af- toward eg. afferent neurons: which carry impulses to central nervous system agon- contest eg. agonistic and antagonistic muscles: oppose each other alb- white eg. corpus albicans of the ovary: a white scar tissue aliment- nourish eg. alimentary canal, or digestive track allel- of one another eg. alleles: alternative expression of a gene amphi- on both sides; of both kinds eg. amphibian: an organism capable of living in water and on land ana- apart, up, again eg. anaphase of mitosis: when the chromosomes separate anastomos- come together eg. arteriovenous anastomosis: a connection between an artery and a vein aneurysm a widening eg. aortic aneurysm: a weak spot that causes enlargement of the blood vessel angi- vessel eg. angiitis: inflammation of a lymph vessel or blood vessel angin- choked eg. angina pectoris: a choked feeling in the chest due to dysfunction of the heart ant-, anti- opposed to; preventing; or inhibiting eg. anticoagulant: a substance that prevents blood coagulation. ante- precending; before eg. antecubital: in front of the elbow aort- great artery eg. aorta ap-, api- tip; extremity eg. apex of the heart append- hang to eg. appendicular skeleton aqua-, aque- water eg. aqueous solutions arbor- tree eg. arbor vitae of the cerebellum: the treelike pattern of white matter areola- open space eg. areolar connective tissue: a loose connective tissue arrect- upright eg. arrector pili muscles of the skin: which make the hairs stand erect arthr-, arthro- joint eg. arthropathy: any joint disease artic- joint eg. articular surfaces of bones: the points of connection atri- vestibule eg. atria: upper chambers of the heart auscult- listen eg. auscultatory method for measuring blood pressure aut-, auto- self eg. autogenous: self-generated ax-, axi-, axo- axis, axle eg. axial skeleton: asix of vertebral column azyg- unpaired eg. azygous vein: an unpair vessel baro- pressure eg. baroreceptors for monotoring blood pressure basal base eg. basal lamina of epithelial basement membrane bi- two eg. bicuspid: having two cusps bili- bile eg. bilirubin: a bile pigment bio- life eg. biology: the study of life and living organisms blast- bud or germ eg. blastocyte: undifferentiated embryonic cell brachi- arm eg. brachial plexus of peripheral nervous system supplies the arm brady- slow eg. bradycardia: abnormaly slow heart rate brev- short eg. peroneus brevis: a short leg muscle broncho- bronchus eg. brochospasm: spasmodic contraction of bronchial muscle bucco- cheek eg. buccolabial: pertaining to the cheek and lip calor- heat eg. calories: a measure of energy capill- hair eg. blood and lymph capillaries caput- head eg. decapitate: remove the head carcin- cancer eg. carcinogen: a cancer-causing agent cardi-, cardio- heart eg. cardiotoxic: harmful to the heart carneo- flesh eg. traveculae carneae: ridges of muscle in the ventricles of the heart carot- (1) carrot; (2) stupor (1) eg. carotene: an orange pigment (2) eg. carotid arteries in the neck: blockage causes fainting cata- down eg. carabolism: chemical breakdown caud- tail eg. caudal (directional term) cec- blind eg. cecum of large instestine: a blind-ended pouch cele- abdominal eg. celiac artery: in the abdomen cephal- head eg. cephalometer: an instrument for measuring the head cerebro- brain, especially the cerebrum eg. cerebrospinal: pertaining to the brain and spinal cord cervic-, cervix neck eg. cervix of the uterus chiasm- crossing eg. optic chiasma: where optic nerves cross chole- bile eg. cholesterol; cholecystokinin: a bile-secreting hormone chondr- cartilage eg. chondrogenic: giving rise to cartilage chrom- colored eg. chromosome: so named because they stain darkly cili- small hair eg. ciliated epithelium circum- around eg. circumnuclear: around the nucleus clavic- key eg. clavicle: a "skeleton key" co-, con- together eg. concentric; common center: together in the center coccy- cuckoo eg. coccyx: which is beak-shaped cochlea snail shell eg. the cochlea of the inner ear: which is coiled like a snail shell coel- hollow eg. coelom: the ventral body cavity commis- united eg. gray commissure of the spinal cord connects the two columns of gray matter concha shell eg. nasal conchae: coiled shelves of bone in the nasal cavity corn-, cornu- horn eg. stratum corneum: outer layer of the skin composed of (horny) cells corona crown eg. coronal suture of the skull corp- body eg. corpse; corpus luteum: hormone-secreting body in the ovary cort- bark eg. cortex: the outer layer of the brain, kidney, adrenal glands, and lymph nodes cost- rib eg. intercostal: between the ribs crani- skull eg. craniotomy: a skull operation crypt- hidden eg. cryptomenorrhea: a condition in which menstrual symptoms are experienced but no external loss of blood occurs cusp- pointed eg. bicuspid, tricuspid valves of the heart cutic- skin eg. cuticle of the nail cyan- blue eg. cyanosis: blue color of the skin due to lack of oxygen cyst- sac, bladder eg. cystitis: inflammation of the urinary bladder cyt- cell eg. cytology: the study of cells de- undoing, reversal, loss, removal eg. deactivation: becoming inactive decid- falling off eg. deciduous (milk) teeth delta triangular eg. deltoid muscle: roughly triangular in shape den-, dent- tooth eg. dentin of the tooth dendr- tree, branch eg. dendrites, telodendria: both branches of a neuron derm- skin eg. dermis: deep layer of the skin desm- bond eg. desmosome: which binds adjacent epithelial cells di- twice, double eg. dimorphism: having two forms dia- through, between eg. diaphragm: the wall through or between two areas dialys- separate, break apart eg. kidney dialysis: in which waste products are removed from the blood diastol- stand apart eg. cardiac diastole: between successive contractions of the heart diure- urinate eg. diuretic: a drug that increases urine output dors- the back eg. dorsal; dorsum; dorsiflexion duc-, duct lead, draw eg. ductus deferens: which carries sperm from the epididymis into the urethra during ejaculation dura hard eg. dura mater: tough outer meninx dys- difficult, faulty, painful eg. dyspepsia: disturbed digestion ec-, ex-, ecto- out, outside, away from eg. excrete: to remove materials from the body ectop- displaced eg. ectopic pregnancy; ectopic focus for initiation of heart contraction edem- swelling eg. edema: accumulation of water in body tissues ef- away eg. efferent nerve fibers: which carry impulses away from the central nervous system ejac- to shoot forth eg. ejaculation of semen embol- wedge eg. embolus: an obstructive object traveling in the bloodstream en-, em- in, inside eg. encysted: enclosed in a cyst or capsule enceph- brain eg. encephalitis: inflammation of the brain endo- within, inner eg. endocytosis: taking particles into the cell entero- intestine eg. enterologist: one who specializes in the study of intestinal disorders epi- over, above eg. epidermis: outer layer of skin erythr- red eg. erythema: redness of the skin; erythrocyte: red blood cell eso- within eg. esophagus eu- well eg. euesthesia: a normal state of senses excret- separate eg. excretory system exo- outside, outer layer eg. exophthalmos: an abnormal protrusion of the eye from the orbit extra- outside, beyond eg. extracellular: outside the body cells of an organism extrins- from the outside eg. extrinsic regulation of the heart fasci-, fascia- bundle, band eg. superficial and deep fascia fenestr- window eg. fenestrated capillaries ferr- iron eg. transferrin; ferritin: both iron-storage proteins flagell- whip eg. flagellum: the tail of a sperm cell flat- blow, blown eg. flatulence folli- bag, bellows eg. hair follicle fontan- fountain eg. fontanels of the fetal skull foram- opening eg. foramen magnum of the skull foss- ditch eg. fossa ovalis of the heart; mandibular fossa of the skull gam-, gamet- married, spouse eg. gametes: the sex cells gangli- swelling, or knot dorsal root ganglia of the spinal nerves gastr- stomach eg. gastrin: a hormone that influences gastric acid secretion gene beginning, origin eg. genetics germin- grow eg. germinal epithelium of the gonads gero-, geront- old man eg gerontology: the study of aging gest- carried eg. gestation: the period from conception to birth glauc- gray eg. glaucoma: which causes gradual blindness glom- ball eg. glomeruli: clusters of capillaries in the kidneys glosso- tongue eg. glossophaty: any disease of the tongue gluco-, glyco- gluconeogenesis: the production of glucose from noncarbohydrate molecules glute- buttock eg. gluteus maximus: largest muscle of the buttock gnost- knowing eg. the gnostic sense: a sense of awareness of self gompho- nail eg. gomphosis: the term applied to the joint between the tooth and jaw gon-, gono- seed, offspring eg. gonads: the sex organs gust- taste eg. gustatory sense: the sense of taste hapt- fasten, grasp eg. hapten: a partial antigen hema-, hemato-, hemo- blood eg. hematocyst: a cyst containing blood hemi- half eg. hemiglossal: pertaining to one half of the tongue hepat- liver eg. hepatitis: inflammation of the liver hetero- different or other eg. heterosexuality: sexual desire for a person of the opposite sex hiat- gap eg. the hiatus of the diaphragm: the opening through which the esophagus passes hippo- horse eg. hippocampus of the brain: shaped like a seahorse hirsut- hairy eg. hirsutism: excessive body hair hist- tissue eg. histology: the study of tissues holo- whole eg. holocrine glands: whose secretions are whole cells hom-, homo- same eg. homeoplasia: formation of tissue similar to normal tissue; homocentric: having the same center hormon- to excite eg. hormones humor- a fluid eg. humoral immunity: which involves antibodies circulating in the blood hyal- clear eg. hyaline cartilage: which has no visible fibers hydr-, hydro- water eg. dehydration: loss of body water hyper- excess eg. hypertension: excessive tension hypno- sleep eg. hypnosis: a sleep-like state hypo- below, deficient eg. hypodermic: beneath the skin; hypokalemia: deficiency of potassium hyster-, hystero- uterus or womb eg. hysterectoctomy: removal of the uterus: hysterodynia: pain in the womb ile- intestine eg. ileum: the last portion of the small intestine im- not eg. impermiable: not permitting passage, not permeable inter- between eg. intercellular: between the cells intercal- insert eg. intercalated discs: the end membranes between adjacent cardiac muscle cells intra- within, inside eg. intracellular: inside the cell iso- equal, same eg. isothermal: equal or same temperature jugul- throat jugular veins: prominent vessels in the neck juxta- near, close to eg. juxtaglomerular apparatus: a cell cluster next to a glomerulus in the kidneys karyo- kernel, nucleus eg. kayrotype: the asssemblage of the nuclear chromosomes kera- horn eg. keratin: the water-repellent protein in the skin kilo- thousand eg. kilocalories: equal to 1000 calories kin-, kines- move eg. kinetic energy: the energy of motion labi-, labri- lip eg. labial frenulum: the membrane which joins the lip to the bum lact- milk eg. lactose: milk sugar lacun- space, cavity, lake eg. lacunae: the spaces occupied by cells of cartilage and bone tissue lamell- small plate eg. concentric lamellae: rings of bone matrix in compact bone lamina layer, sheet eg. basal lamina: part of the epithelial basement membrane lat- wide latissimus dorsi: a broad muscle of the back laten- hidden eg. latent period of muscle twitch later- side eg. lateral (direction term) leuko- white eg. leukocyte: white blood cell leva- raise, elevate eg. levator labii superioris: muscle that elevates upper lip lingua- tongue eg. lingual tonsil: adjacent to the tongue lip-, lipo- fat, lipid eg. lipophate: a cell that has taken up fat in its cytoplasm lith- stone eg. cholelithiasis: gall stones luci- clear eg. stratum lucidum: clear layer of the epidermis lumen light eg. lumen: center of a hollow structure lut- yellow eg. corpus luteum: a yellow, hormone secreting structure in the ovary lymph water eg. lymphatic circulation: return of clear fluid to the bloodstream macro- large eg. macromolecule: large molecule macula spot eg. macule lutea: yellow spot on the retina magn- large eg. foramen magnum: largest opening of the skull mal- bad, abnormal eg. malfuntion: abnormal functioning of an organ mamm- breast eg. mammary glands: breast mast- breast eg. mastectomy: removal of mammary gland mater mother eg. dura mater, pia mater: membranes that envelop the brain meat- passage eg. external acoustic meatus: the ear canal medi- middle eg. medial (direction term) medull- marrow eg. medulla: the middle portion of the kidney, adrenal gland, and lymph node mega- large eg. megakaryocyte: large precursor cell of platelets meio- less eg. meosis: nuclear division that halves the chromosome number melan- black eg. melanocytes: which secrete the black pigment melanin men-, menstru- month eg. menses: the cyclic menstrual flow meningo- membrane eg. meningitus: inflammation of the membranes of the brain mer-, mero- a part eg. merocrine glands: the secretions of which do not include the cell meso- middle eg. mesoderm: middle germ layer meta- beyond, between, transition eg. metatarsus: the part of the foot between the tarsus and the phalanges metro- uterus eg. endometrium: the lining of the uterus micro- small eg. microscope: an instrument used to make small objects appear larger mictur- urinate eg. micturition: the act of voiding the bladder mito- thread, filament eg. mitochondria: small, filament-like structure located in cells mnem- memory eg. amnesia mono- single eg. monospasm: spasm of a single limb morpho- form eg. morphology: the study of form and structure or organisms multi- many eg. multinuclear: having serveral nuclei mur- wall eg. intramular ganglion: a nerve junction within an organ muta- change eg. mutation: change in the base sequence of DNA myelo- spinal cord, marrow eg. myeloblasts: cells of the bone marrow myo- muscle eg. myocardium: heart muscle nano- dwarf eg. nanometer: one-billionth of a meter narco- numbness eg. narcotic: a drug producing stupor or numbed sensations natri- sodium eg. atrial natriuretic peptic, a sodium-regulating hormone necro- death eg. necrosis: tissue death neo- new eg. neoplasm: an abnormal growth nephro- kidney eg. nephritis: inflammation of the kidney neuro- nerve eg. neurophysiology: the physiology of the nervous system noci- harmful eg. nociceptors: receptors for pain nom- name eg. innominate artery; innominate bone noto- back eg. notochord: the embryonic structure that precedes the vertebral column nucle- pit, kernel, little nut eg. nucleus nutri- feed, nourish eg. nutrition ob- before, against eg. obstruction: impeding or blocking up oculo- eye eg. monocular: pertaining to one eye odonto- teeth eg. orthodontist: one who specializes in proper positioning of the teeth in relation to each other olfact- smell eg. olfactory nerves oligo- few eg. oligodendrocytes: neurological cells with few branches onco- a mass eg. oncology: the study of cancer oo- egg eg. oocyte: precursor of female gamete ophthalmo- eye eg. ophthalmology: the study of the eyes and related diseases orb- circular eg. orbicularis oculi: muscle that encircles the eye orchi- testis eg. cryptorchidism: failure of the testes to descend into the scrotum org- living eg. organism ortho- straight, direct eg. orthopedic: correction of deformities of the musculoskeletal system osm- smell eg. anosmia: loss of sense of smell osmo- pushing eg. osmosis osteo- bone eg. osteodermia: bony formation in the skin oto- ear eg. otoscope: a device for examining the ear ov-, ovi- egg eg. ovum, oviduct oxy- oxygen eg. oxygenation: the saturation of a substance with oxygen pan- all, universal eg. panacea: a cure-all panpill- nipple eg. dermal papillae: projections of the dermis into the epidermal area para- beside, near eg. paranuclear: beside the nucleus pect-, pectus breast eg. pectoralis major: a large chest muscle pelv- a basin eg. pelvic girdle: which cradles the pelvic organs peni- a tail eg. penis; penile urethra penna- feather eg. unipennate; bipennate muscles: whose fascicles have a feathered appearance pent- five eg. pentose: a 5-carbon sugar pep-, peps-, pept- digest eg. pepsin: a digestive enzyme of the stomach; peptic ulcer per-, permea- through eg. permeate; permeable peri- around eg. perianal: situtated around the anus phago- eat eg. phagocyte: a cells that engulft and digests particles or cells pheno- show, appear eg. phenotype: the physical appearance of an individual phleb- vein eg. phlebitis: inflammation of the veins pia tender eg. pia mater: delicate inner membrane around the brain and spinal cord pili hair eg. arrector pili muscles of the skin, whic make the hairs stand erect pin-, pino- drink eg. pinocytosis: the engulfing of small particles by a cell platy- flat, broad eg. platysma: broad, flat muscle of the neck pleur- side, rib eg. pleural serosa: the membrane that lines the thoracic cavity and covers the lungs plex-, plexus net, network eg. brachial plexus: the network of nerves that supplies the arm pneumo- air, wind eg. pneumothorax: air in the thoracic cavity pod- foot eg. podiatry: the treament of foot disorders poly- multiple eg. polymorphism: multiple forms post- after, behind eg. posterior: places behind (a specific) part pre-, pro- before, ahead of eg. prenatal: before birth procto- rectum, anus eg. proctoscope: an instrument for examining the rectum pron- bent forward eg. prone; pronate propri- one's own eg. proprioception: awareness of body parts and movement pseudo- false eg. pseudotumor: a false tumor psycho- mind, psyche eg. psycogram: a chart of personality traits ptos- fall eg. renal ptosis: a condition in which the kidneys drift below their normal position pub- of the pubis eg. puberty pulmo- lung eg. pulmonary artery: which brings blood to the lungs pyo- pus eg. pyocyst: a cyst that contains pus pyro- fire eg. pyrogen: a substance that induces fever quad-, quadr- four-sided eg. quadratus lumborum: a muscle with a square shape re- back, again eg. reinfect rect- straight eg. rectus abdominis; rectum ren- kidney eg. renal, renin: an enzyme secreted by the kidney retro- backward, behind eg. retrogression: to move backward in development rheum- watery flow, change, or flux eg. rheumatoid arthritis; rheumatic fever rhin-, rhino- nose eg. rhinitis: inflammation of the nose ruga- fold, wrinkle eg. rugae: the folds of the stomach, gallbladder, and urinary bladder sagitt- arrow eg. sagittal (directional term) salta- leap eg. saltatory conduction: the rapid conduction of impulses along myelinated neurons sanguin- blood eg. consaguineous: indicative of a genetic relationship between individuals sarco- flesh eg. sarcomere: unit of contraction in skeletal muscle saphen- visible, clear eg. great saphenous vein: superficial vein of the thigh and leg sclero- hard eg. sclerodermatitis: inflammantory thickening and hardering of the skin seb- grease eg. sebum: the oil of the skin semen seed, sperm eg. semen: the discharge of the male reproductive system semi- half eg. semicircular: having hte form of a half a circle sens- feeling eg. sensation; sensory septi- rotten eg. sepsis, infection, antiseptic septum fence eg. nasal septum sero- serum eg. serological tests: which assess blood conditions serrat- saw eg. serratus anterior: a muscle of the chest wall that has a jagged edge sin-, sino- a hollow eg. sinuses of the skull soma- body eg. somatic nervous system somn- sleep eg. insomnia: inability to sleep sphin- squeeze eg. sphincter splanchn- organ eg. splanchnic nerve: autonomic supply to abdominal viscera spondyl- vertebra eg. ankylosing spondylitis: rheumatoid arthritis affecting the spine squam- scale, flat eg. squamous epithelium; squamous suture of the skull steno- narrow eg. stenocoriasis: narrowing of the pupil strat- layer eg. strata of the epidermis: stratified epithelium stria- furrow, streak eg. striations of skeletal and cardiac muscle tissue stroma spread out eg. stroma: the connective tissue framework of some organs sub- beneath, under eg. sublingual: beneath the tongue sucr- sweet eg. sucrose: table sugar sudor- sweat eg. sudoriferous glands: the sweat glands super- above, upon eg. superior: quality or state of being above others or a part. supra- above, upon eg. supracondylar: above a condyle sym-, syn- together, with eg. synapse: the region of communication between two neurons synerg- work together eg. synergism systol- contraction eg. systole: contraction of the heart tachy- rapid eg. tachycardia, abnormally rapid heartbeat tact- touch eg. tactile sense telo- the end eg. telophase: the end of mitosis templ-, tempo- time eg. temporal summation of nerve impulses tens- stretched eg. muscle tension terti- third eg. fibularis tertius: one of three fibularis muscles tetan- rigid, tense eg. tetanus of muscle therm- heat eg. thermometer: an instrument used to measure heat thromb- clot eg. thrombocyte; thrombus thyro- a shield eg. thyroid gland tissu- woven eg. tissue tono- tension eg. tonicity; hypertonic tox- poison eg. toxicology: the study of poisons trab- beam, timber eg. trabeculae: spicules of bone in spongy bone tissue trans- across, through eg. transpleural: through the pleura trapez- table eg. trapzius: the four-side muscle of the upper back tri- three eg. trifurcation: division into three branches trop- turn, change eg. tropic hormones: whose targets are endocrine glands troph- nourish eg. trophoblast, from which devleops the fetal portion of the placenta tuber- swelling eb. tuberosity: a bump on a bone tunic- covering eg. tunica albuginea: the covering of the testis tympan- drum eg. tympanic membrane: the eardrum ultra- beyond eg. ultraviolet radiation: beyond the band of visible light vacc- cow eg. vaccine vagin- a sheath eg. vagina vagus wanderer eg. the vagus nerve: which starts at the brain and travels into the abdominopelvic cavity valen- strength eg. valence shells of atoms venter, ventr- abdomen, belly eg. ventral (direction term); ventricle vent- the wind eg. pulmonary ventilation vert- turn eg. vertebral column vestibul- a porch eg. vestibule: the anterior entryway to the mouth and the nose vibr- shake, quiver eg. vibrassae: hairs of the nasal vestibule villus shaggy hair eg. microvilli: which have the appearance of hair in light microscopy viscero- organ, viscera eg. visceroinhibitory: inhibiting the movement of the viscera viscos- sticky eg. viscosity: resistance to flow vita- life eg. vitamin vitre- glass eg. vitreous humor: the clear jelly of the eye viv- live eg. in vivo vulv- a covering eg. vulva: the female external genitalia zyg- a yoke, twin eg. zygote -able able to do, capable of eg. viable: ability to live or exist -ac referring to eg. cardiac: referring to the heart -algia pain in a certain part eg. neuralgia: pain along the course of a nerve -apsi juncture eg. synapse: where two neurons communicate -ary associated with, relating to eg. coronary: associated with the heart -asthen weakness eg. myasthenia gravis: a disease involving paralysis -bryo swollen eg. embryo -cide destroy or kill eg. germicide: an agent that kills germs -cipit head eg. occipital -clast break eg. osteoclast: a cell that dissolves bone matrix -crine separate eg. endorine organs: which secrete hormones into the blood -dips thirst, dry eg. polydispsia: excessive thirst associated with diabetes -ectomy cutting out, surgical removal eg. appendectomy: cutting out of the appendix -ell, -elle small eg. organelle -emia condition of the blood eg. anemia: deficiency of red blood cells -esthesi sensation eg. anesthesia: lack of sensation -ferent carry eg. efferent nerves: nerves carrying impulses away from the CNS -form, -forma shape eg. cribriform plate of the ethmoid plate -fuge driving out eg. vermifuge: a substance that expels worms of the intestine -gen an agent that initiates eg. pathogen: any agent that produces disease -glea, -glia glue eg. neuroglia: the connective tissue of the nervous system -gram data that are systematically reocrded, a record eg. electrocardiogram: a recording showing action of the heart -graph an instrument used for recording data or writing eg. electrocardiograph: an instrument used to make an electrocardiogram -ia condition eg. insomnia: condition of not being able to sleep -iatrics medical specialty eg. geriatrics: the branch of medicine dealing with disease associated with old age -ism condition eg. hyperthyroidism -itis inflammation eg. gastritis: inflammation of the stomach -lemma sheath, husk eg. sacolemma: the plasma membran of a muscle cell -logy the study of eg. pathology: the study of changes in structure and function brought on by disease -lysis loosing or breaking down eg. hydrolysis: chemical decomposition of a compound into other compounds as a result of taking up water -malacia soft eg. osteomalacia: a process leading to bone softening -mania obsession, compulsion eg. erotomania: exaggeration of the sexual passions -nata birth eg. prenatal development -nom govern eg. autonomic nervous system -odyn pain eg. coccygodynia: pain in the regioin of the coccyx -oid like, resembling eg. cuboid: shaped as a cube -oma tumor eg. lymphoma: a tumor of the lymphatic tissue -opia defect of the eye eg. myopia: nearsightedness -ory referring to, of eg. auditory: referring to hearing -pathy disease eg. osteophaty: any disease of the bone -phasia speech eg. aphasia: lack of ability to speak -phil,-philo like, love eg. hydrophilic: water-attracting molecules -phobia fear eg. acrophobia: fear of heights -phragm partition eg. diaphragm: which separates the thoracic and abdominal cavities -phylax guard, preserve eg. prophylaxix: to guard in advance, as in preventive treatment -plas grow eg. neoplasia: an abnormal growth -plasm form, shape eg. cytoplasm -plasty reconstruction of a part, plastic surgery eg. rhinoplasty: reconstruction of the nose through surgery -plegia paralysis eg. paraplegia: paralysis of the lower half of the body or lower limbs -rrhagia abnormal or excessive discharge eg. metrorraghia: uterine hemorrhage -rrhea flow or discharge eg. diarrhea: abnormal emptying of the bowels -scope instrument used for examination eg. stethoscope: instrument used to listen to sounds of parts of the body -some body eg. chromosome -sorb suck in eg. absorb -stalsis arrest, fixation eg. hemostatis: arrest of bleeding -stitia come to stand eg. interstitial fluid: between the cells -stomy establishment of an artificial opening eg. enterostomy: the formation of an artificial opening into the intestine through the abdominal wall -tegm cover eg. integument -tomy to cut eg. appendectomy: surgical removal of appendix -trud thrust eg. protrude: detrusor muscle -ty condition of, state eg. immunity: condition of being resistant to infection or disease -uria urine eg. polyuria: passage of an excessive amount of urine -zyme ferment eg. enzyme