ROOTS

aden, adeno,

Pertaining to a gland. Example: adenitis (inflammation of a gland).

andro, andros,

Male. Example: android (resembling a male).

angi, angio,

Vessel, usually a blood or lymph vessel. Example: angiography (x-ray study of blood vessels or lymphatic system).

arthr,

Pertaining to a joint. Example: arthritis (inflammation of a joint).

bleph,

Pertaining to the eyelid. Example: blepharitis (inflammation of the eyelids).

bronch, broncho,

From the Greek word for windpipe. Example: bronchitis (inflammation of the bronchi, or airway).

cardio,

Pertaining to the heart. Example: cardiovascular.

cephal,

Pertaining to the head. Example: encephal (inside the head, brain).

cerebr, cerebri,

Pertaining to the brain. Example: cerebral.

chol, chole,

Pertaining to bile. Example: cholecystectomy (removal of the gallbladder, where bile is stored).

cyst,

Pertaining to a bladder or sac. Example: cystoscopy (examination of the interior of the bladder).

cyt, cyto,

Pertaining to cells. Example: cytology (cell biology).

dent, dont,

Pertaining to teeth, or to a tooth.

derm, derma, dermo,

Pertaining to the skin. Example: dermatology.

enter, entero,

Pertaining to the intestines.

gastr, gastro,

Pertaining to the stomach. Example: gastroenteritis (inflammation of the stomach and intestines).

gloss,

Pertaining to the tongue. Example: glossoplegia (paralysis of the tongue).

gnath,

Pertaining to the jaw. Example: gnathalgia (pain in the jaw).

gyn, gyne,

Pertaining to women. Example: gynecology.

hema, hemo,

Pertaining to blood. Example: hematoma (a blood-filled swelling).

hepar, hepat,

Pertaining to the liver. Example: hepatoma (tumor of the liver).

hyster,

Pertaining to the uterus. Example: hysterectomy (surgical removal of the uterus).

iatro,

Pertaining to a physician, doctor. Example: iatrogenic (caused by a doctor).

idio,

Peculiar to a specific individual. Example: idiosyncrasy.

lipo,

Fat, fatty. Example: lipid (fatty substance).

lith,

Stone, sandy calcification. Example: lithiasis (formation of gallstones or kidney stones).

mamma, mast,

Pertaining to the breast. Example: mammary gland (milk-secreting gland of the breast).

men, meno,

Pertaining to menstruation (monthly cycle).

metr, metro,

Pertaining to the uterus. Example: metrorrhagia (bleeding from the uterus other than normal menstrual flow).

my, myo,

Pertaining to the muscles. Example: myopathy (a disease of the muscles).

myelo,

Pertaining to the marrow. Example: myeloma (tumor of the bone marrow).

necro,

Pertaining to death. Example: necropsy (autopsy).

nephro,

Pertaining to the kidneys. Example: nephrolith (kidney stone).

neuro,

Pertaining to nerves. Example: neuralgia (pain along the course of a nerve).

ocul, oculo,

Pertaining to the eyes.

odont, odonto,

Pertaining to the teeth.

orchi,

Pertaining to the testes. Example: orchitis (inflammation of the testicles).

oro, os,

Pertaining to the mouth or an opening.

ortho,

Straight, upright. Example: orthopnea (a condition in which one is able to breathe only when standing erect).

os, oste, osteo,

Pertaining to bones. Example: ossification (the process of becoming bone).

ot, oto,

Pertaining to the ear. Example: otitis (inflammation of the ear).

path, patho, pathy,

Suffering or disease.

ped,

1. Pertaining to the foot or feet. 2. Pertaining to children (pediatrics).

phag,

Pertaining to eating or swallowing. Capable of consuming. Example: phagocyte (cell capable of engulfing bacteria or debris).

phleb,

Pertaining to a vein. Example: phlebitis (inflammation of a vein).

plast,

Formation or reconstruction. Example: plastic surgery.

plegia,

Paralysis. Example: quadriplegia (paralysis of both arms and both legs).

pnea,

Pertaining to breathing. Example: dyspnea (difficulty breathing).

pneumo,

Pertaining to the lungs. Example: pneumonia (infection of the lungs).

presby,

Pertaining to old age, the aging process. Example: presbyopia (the progressive degeneration of the eyes associated with getting older).

psych, psycho,

Pertaining to the mind. Example: psychogenic (originating in the mind).

pur, pus, pyo,

Pertaining to pus. Example: purulent (containing pus).

pyelo,

Pertaining to the pelvis (urine-collecting basin) of the kidney.

pyr, pyret,

Indicating fever. Example: pyrexia (fever).

ren-,

Pertaining to the kidneys. Example: renin (an enzyme produced in the kidneys).

rhin, rhino,

Pertaining to the nose. Example: rhinoplasty (plastic surgery of the nose).

scler, sclero,

Hard, stiff. Example: sclerosis (abnormal stiffening of a tissue).

sicca,

Dry, dryness.

somat, somato,

Pertaining to the body.

stom, stomato,

Pertaining to the mouth.

thor,

Pertaining to the chest.

thromb,

Pertaining to a blood clot. Example: thrombosis (formation of a blood clot in the blood vessels).

tract, tracto,

Pertaining to pulling or extending. Example: traction (continuous pulling of a body part using weights and pulleys).

ur, uro,

Pertaining to urine.

veni, veno,

Pertaining to veins.