Principal Prefixes in Veterinary Terminology

Prefixes consist of one or more syllables and are always placed at the beginning of word. A prefix can never stand alone it can only be used to alter a word or create a new word. While prefixes are used all throughout language and are not exclusive to veterinary terminology there are several that are very prominent in the veterinary vocabulary. It is important in your studies to learn the meanings of these prefixes because it will aid you greatly in breaking down an unfamiliar word to discover its meaning. This will be incredibly helpful. There is such a large number of veterinary terms that you will encounter while studying veterinary medicine, it is unrealistic (if not impossible) to expect to be able to memorize them all. It is best to familiarize yourself with the parts of the words you will encounter.

A

a-, an- without, lack of, not Afebrile (without fever)
ab- away from Aboral (away from the mouth)
ad- toward, near Adrenal (near the kidney)
ambi-, amphi- , ampho- bothAmphteric (both acid and base)
ana- up, toward, apart Anatomomy (to cut apart)
ante- before, infront of, forward Antenatal (before birth)
anti- against, opposing Antisepsis (against infection)
apo- separation from, derived from Apomorphine (drug derived from morphine)
auto- self Autogenous (self-generating)

B

bi- two, double, twice Biceps (muscle with two heads)

C

cata- down, under, lower, against Catalepsy (reduced movement)
circum- around Circumanal (around the anus)
co-, com-,con- with, together Conductor ( leading together)
contra- opposed, against Contraception (prevention of conception)

D

de- reverse, remove Dehydrate (remove from water)
di- two, twice Diphasic (having two stages)
dia- between, through, apart Dapedesis (ooze through)
dis- apart from, free from Dissect (to cut apart)
dys- difficult, painful, abnormal Dysuria (difficult or painful urination)

E

e-, ec-, ex- out of , away from Enucleate (remove whole from)
ecto-, exo- outer, outside, situated on Ectopic (out of place)
em-, en- in Enzootic (in a population of animals)
endo- within, inner Endoplasm (inner portion of cytoplasm)
ep-, epi- upon, on, over, above Epicostal (upon the rib)
eu- normal, good, well, healthy Eupnea (normal breathing)
extra- outside of, beyond Extraocular (outside of the eye)

H

hemi- half Hemishere (half of a sphere or a globe)
hyper- excessive, above, beyond Hyperesthesia (excessive sensitivity)
hypo-, hyp- under, defficient,beneath Hypoxia (reduced oxygen)

I

im-, in- in, into within, not Implant (insert into)
infra- below, beneath Infraorbital (beneath the eye)
inter- between Intercostal (between ribs)
intra- within Intracardiac (within the heart)
intro- into, within Introversion (turning inward)

M

mes-, meso- middle Mesoderm (middle cell layer)
meta- change, beyond, after Metacarpus (bone beyond the carpus)
micr-, micro- small Microbe (minute organism)
mult-, multi- many Multiform (many shapes)

N

neo- new, recent Neoplastic (new tissue growth)

P

pan- all, entire Panacea (cure-all)
para- beyond, beside Paravertebral (beside the vertebrae)
per- through, excessive Permeable (may pass through)
peri- around Periosteum (around bone)
poly- many, much, excessive Polycystic (many cysts)
post- after, behind Postoperative (after surgery)
pre-, pro- before in front of Prenatal ( before birth)
pseudo- false Pseudoocyesis ( false pregnancy)

R

re- again, backward Reflex (bend back)
retro- backward, behind Retrograde (going backward)

S

semi- half, partial Semilunar (half-mooned shape)
sub- under, beneath Sublingual (beneath the tongue)
super-, supra- above, superior Superarenal (above kidneys)
sym-, syn- together, with Symbiosis (two organisms living in close association)

T
trans-, across, through Transection (to cut across)

U

ultra- beyond excess Ultravirus (very small virus)