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You are in: Home > Have Your Say > Glossary > Medical Abbreviations

Medical Abbreviations

List of prefixes (beginnings of the word) which can help you to understand complex medical terms. You can search this page using Ctrl + F

A - B - C - D - G - H - I - M - N - O - P - R

• abdomino—to do with the abdomen
• arthro—to do with the joints
• audio—to do with the ears
• brachio—to do with the arms
• carcino—to do with cancer
• cardio—to do with the heart
• cerebro—to do with the brain
• coronary—to do with the heart
• cranio—to do with the skull
• dermo—to do with the skin
• gastro—to do with the stomach
• haemo—to do with the blood
• hepato—to do with the liver
• histo—to do with the tissues
• immuno—to do with the immune system
• myo—to do with the muscles
• nephro—to do with the kidneys
• neuro—to do with the nervous system
• opthalmo—to do with the eyes
• ortho—to do with bones
• osteo—to do with bones
• phlebo—to do with the veins
• radio—to do with scans and X-rays
• renal—to do with the kidneys

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Other beginnings (prefixes) can also give a clue as to the meaning of the word

• a—no/ nothing
• anti—prevents
• brady—slow
• dys—difficulty/ inability
• extra—outside
• hemi—one side
• hyper—high or fast
• hypo—low or slow
• sub—below
• tachy—fast

Some words are used to indicate an area/ position of the body, vessel, organ or tissue

• anterior—front
• posterior—back
• inferior—bottom/ below
• superior—top/ above

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