Prefixes for Amount, Number, or Speed (The Structure of Medical Language)

hyper-

Meaning: above; more than normal Medical Word Example: hypertension (HY-er-TEN-shun) (tens/o- means pressure) Definition: condition of more than normal pressure

hypo-

Meaning: below; deficient Medical Word Example: hypothyroidism (HY-poh-THY-royd-izm) (thyroid/o- means thyroid gland) Definition: Disease from a specific cause of deficient thyroid gland (hormone)

tachy-

Meaning: fast Medical Word Example: tachycardia (TAK-ih-KAR-dee-ah) (card/i- means heart) Definition: Condition of a fast heart

quadri-

Meaning: four Medical Word Example: quadriplegia (KWAH-drih-PLEE-jee-ah) (pleg/o- means paralysis) Definition: Condition of four (limbs) with paralysis

poly-

Meaning: many; much Medical Word Example: polyneuritis (PAWL-ee-nyoo-RY-tis) (neur/o- means nerve) Definition: Inflammation of many nerves

hemi-

Meaning: one half Medical Word Example: hemiplegia (HEM-ee-PLEE-jee-ah) (pleg/o- means paralysis) Definition: Condition of one half (of the body) with paralysis

mono-

Meaning: one; single Medical Word Example: mononucleosis (MAWN-oh-noo-klee-OH-sis) (nucle/o- means nucleus) Definition: abnormal condition of (white blood cells that each have) one (large) nucleus

brady-

Meaning: slow Medical Word Example: bradycardia (BRAD-ee-KAR-dee-ah) (card/i- means heart) Definition: condition of a slow heart

tri-

Meaning: three Medical Word Example: trigeminal (try-JEM-ih-nal) (gemin/o- means set or group) Definition: pertaining to three (nerve branches in a) group

bi-

Meaning: two Medical Word Example: bilateral (bi-LAT-er-al) (later/o- means side) Definition: pertaining to two sides