Medical Terminology Reference |
| Use this reference to see how common medical terms are created using the various prefixes, suffixes, and root words. |
labiodental |
| Prefix: Prefix Definition: 1st Root Word: labi/o 1st Root Definition: lip 2nd Root Word: dent/i 2nd Root Word Definition: tooth Suffix: -al Suffix Definition: pertaining to Definition: pertaining to a sound made with the lips and teeth |
lactase |
| Prefix: Prefix Definition: 1st Root Word: lact/o 1st Root Definition: milk 2nd Root Word: 2nd Root Word Definition: Suffix: -ase Suffix Definition: enzyme Definition: enzyme that breaks down milk sugar lactose into glucose |
lactation |
| Prefix: Prefix Definition: 1st Root Word: lact/o 1st Root Definition: milk 2nd Root Word: 2nd Root Word Definition: Suffix: -ion Suffix Definition: process Definition: process of secreting milk by the mammary glands |
laparotomy |
| Prefix: Prefix Definition: 1st Root Word: lapar/o 1st Root Definition: abdominal wall; abdomen 2nd Root Word: 2nd Root Word Definition: Suffix: -tomy Suffix Definition: process of cutting Definition: surgical incision into the abdominal cavity |
leukemia |
| Prefix: Prefix Definition: 1st Root Word: leuk/o 1st Root Definition: white 2nd Root Word: 2nd Root Word Definition: Suffix: -emia Suffix Definition: blood condition Definition: the body forming too many white blood cells; type of cancer |
leukocyte |
| Prefix: Prefix Definition: 1st Root Word: leuk/o 1st Root Definition: white 2nd Root Word: 2nd Root Word Definition: Suffix: -cyte Suffix Definition: cell Definition: white blood cells |
leukopenia |
| Prefix: Prefix Definition: 1st Root Word: leuk/o 1st Root Definition: white 2nd Root Word: 2nd Root Word Definition: Suffix: -penia Suffix Definition: deficiency Definition: deficiency of white cells in the blood |
lipoid |
| Prefix: Prefix Definition: 1st Root Word: lip/o 1st Root Definition: fat; lipid 2nd Root Word: 2nd Root Word Definition: Suffix: -oid Suffix Definition: resembling; derived from Definition: relating to resembling fat |
liposuction |
| Prefix: Prefix Definition: 1st Root Word: lip/o 1st Root Definition: fat; lipid 2nd Root Word: 2nd Root Word Definition: Suffix: -suction Suffix Definition: removal Definition: procedure to remove excess fat by suctioning under the skin |
lithotomy |
| Prefix: Prefix Definition: 1st Root Word: lith/o 1st Root Definition: stone; calculus 2nd Root Word: 2nd Root Word Definition: Suffix: -tomy Suffix Definition: process of cutting Definition: surgical procedure to remove a stone |
lithotripsy |
| Prefix: Prefix Definition: 1st Root Word: lith/o 1st Root Definition: stone; calculus 2nd Root Word: 2nd Root Word Definition: Suffix: -tripsy Suffix Definition: to cut Definition: process of breaking stones into small particles that can pass in urine |
lumbar |
| Prefix: Prefix Definition: 1st Root Word: lumb/o 1st Root Definition: lower back; loin 2nd Root Word: 2nd Root Word Definition: Suffix: -ar Suffix Definition: pertaining to Definition: pertaining to the lower back; loin |
lymphedema |
| Prefix: Prefix Definition: 1st Root Word: lymph/o 1st Root Definition: lymph 2nd Root Word: 2nd Root Word Definition: Suffix: -edema Suffix Definition: swelling Definition: accumulation of fluid causing swelling in an area of the body |