1. Veterinary Terminology
Prefix
Form

2. History
Most of the terms used in veterinary medicine are based on Latin or Greek.
Latin=universal language of medicine
Greeks=founders of modern medicine
terminology can be confusing unless you have the tools to decipher it. So….

3. Building Blocks Prefix
modifies the meaning of the word it is attached to
located at the beginning of a word
Examples: Poly-, De-, Anti-, Post
Handout 1, Handout 4

4. Building Blocks Suffix
modifies the meaning of the word it is attached to
located at the end of a word
Examples: -itis, -ology, -lysis
Handout 2, Handout 5

5. Building Blocks Root foundation of a word
Adding a prefix or a suffix to the root modifies its meaning
Roots can be combined with other roots or a suffix by adding a combining form…
Examples: Cardi/o, Nas/o
Handout 3, Handout 6

6. Building Blocks Combining Form
vowel that is used to connect roots to other roots or to a suffix
usually an “O” but can be “A”, “E”, or an “I”
make the term easier to pronounce
Not always used

7. Ep-, Epi-
On, upon
Epidermal: upon the epidermis

8. Eu- (yoo)
Normal
Eupnea: Normal breathing

9. Iso-
Equal; same
Isothermic: equality of temperature

10. Multi-
Many, much
Multicellular: many cells

11. Neo-
New
Neonatal- new born

12. Pan-
All
Panarthritis- all inflammation of joints

13. Peri-
Around
Periodontal: pertaining to the area around the tooth

14. Post-
After
Postoperative: after a surgical operation

15. Uni-
One
Unicellular: one celled

16. -al, -ic, -ac, -ous- Pertaining to Thermic: temperature Dermal: skin
Hydrous: water

17. -graphy
Recording of
Radiography: recording of an image using x-rays

18. -ist
One who studies
Cardiologist: person who studies the heart

19. -lysis
Destruction of
Erythrolysis: destruction of red blood cells

20. -megaly
Abnormally large
Hepatomegaly: abnormally large liver

21. -natal
Birth
Postnatal: after birth

22. -oxia
Oxygen
Hypoxia: insufficient oxygen

23. -phagia Eating, swallowing
Malphagia: poor swallowing or eating ability

24. -spasm Involuntary contraction
Cardiospasm: involuntary contraction of the heart

25. -toxin
Poison
Entrotoxin: intestintal poisoning

26. Abdomin/o-

27. Copr/o

28. Cyan/o

29. Derm/o, Dermat/o

30. Enter/o

31. Erythr/o

32. Gingiv/o

33. Hepat/o

34. Hydr/o

35. Peritone/o

36. Ur/o