See Below

Medical Word Elements

This section introduces combining forms, suffixes, and prefixes related to the musculoskeletal system. Word analyses are also provided. From the information provided, complete the meaning of the medical words in the right-hand column. The first one is completed for you.

Element

Meaning

Word Analysis and Meaning

Combining Forms

Muscular System

leiomy/o

smooth (visceral) muscle

leiomy/oma (lī-ō-mī-Ō-mă): tumor of smooth muscle

-oma: tumor

muscul/o

muscle

muscul/ar (MŬS-kū-lăr): 

-ar: pertaining to

my/o

my/oma (mī-Ō-mă): 

-oma: tumor

rhabd/o

rod-shaped (striated)

rhabd/oid (RĂB-doyd): 

-oid: resembling

rhabdomy/o

rod-shaped (striated) muscle

rhabdomy/oma (răb-dō-mī-Ō-mă):

-oma: tumor

Skeletal System

Bones of the Upper Body

brachi/o

arm

brachi/algia (brā-kē-ĂL-jē-ă): 

-algia: pain

carp/o

carpus (wrist bone)

carp/o/ptosis (kăr-pŏp-TŌ-sĭs): 

-ptosis: prolapse, downward displacement

Carpoptosis is commonly called wrist drop.

cephal/o

head

cephal/ad (SĔF-ă-lăd): 

-ad: toward

cervic/o

neck; cervix uteri (neck of the uterus)

cervic/o/dynia (sĕr-vĭ-kō-DĬN-ē-ă): 

-dynia: pain

Cervicodynia is also called cervical neuralgia.

clavicul/o

clavicle (collar bone)

clavicul/ar (klă-VĬK-ū-lăr): 

-ar: pertaining to

cost/o

ribs

cost/ectomy (kŏs-TĔK-tō-mē): 

-ectomy: excision, removal

crani/o

cranium (skull)

crani/o/tomy (krā-nē-ŎT-ō-mē): 

-tomy: incision

dactyl/o

fingers; toes

dactyl/itis (dăk-tĭl-Ī-tĭs): 

-itis: inflammation

humer/o

humerus (upper arm bone)

humer/o/scapul/ar (hū-mĕr-ō-SKĂP-ū-lăr): 

scapul: scapula (shoulder blade)

-ar: pertaining to

metacarp/o

metacarpus (hand bones)

metacarp/ectomy (mĕt-ă-kăr-PĔK-tō-mē): 

-ectomy: excision, removal

phalang/o

phalanges (bones of the fingers and toes)

phalang/ectomy (făl-ăn-JĔK-tō-mē): 

-ectomy: excision, removal

radi/o

radiation, x-ray; radius (lower arm bone on the thumb side)

radi/al (RĀ-dē-ăl): 

-al: pertaining to

spondyl/o

vertebrae (backbone)

spondyl/itis (spŏn-dĭl-Ī-tĭs): 

-itis: inflammation

The combining form spondyl/o describes diseases and conditions.

vertebr/o

inter/vertebr/al (ĭn-tĕr-VĔRT-ĕ-brĕl): 

inter-: between

-al: pertaining to

The combining form vertebr/o indicates anatomical terms.

stern/o

sternum (breastbone)

stern/ad (STĔR-năd): 

-ad: toward

thorac/o

chest

thorac/o/dynia (thō-răk-ō-DĬN-ē-ă): 

-dynia: pain

Bones of the Lower Body

calcane/o

calcaneum (heel bone)

calcane/o/dynia (kăl-kā-nē-ō-DĬN-ē-ă): 

-dynia: pain

femor/o

femur (thigh bone)

femor/al (FĔM-or-ăl): 

-al: pertaining to

fibul/o

fibula (smaller bone of the lower leg)

fibul/o/calcane/al (fĭb-ū-lō-kăl-KĀ-nē-ăl): 

calcane: calcaneum (heel bone)

-al: pertaining to

ili/o

ilium (lateral, flaring portion of the hip bone)

ili/o/pelv/ic (ĭl-ē-ō-PĔL-vĭk): 

pelv: pelvis

-ic: pertaining to

ischi/o

ischium (lower portion of the hip bone)

ischi/o/dynia (ĭs-kē-ō-DĬN-ē-ă): 

-dynia: pain

lumb/o

loins (lower back)

lumb/o/dynia (lŭm-bō-DĬN-ē-ă): 

-dynia: pain

metatars/o

metatarsus (foot bones)

metatars/algia (mĕt-ă-tăr-SĂL-jē-ă): 

-algia: pain

Metatarsalgia radiates from the head of the metatarsus and worsens with weight-bearing activity or palpation.

patell/o

patella (kneecap)

patell/ectomy (păt-ĕ-LĔK-tō-mē): 

-ectomy: excision, removal

pelv/i

pelvis

pelv/i/metry *  (pĕl-VĬM-ĕt-rē): 

-metry: act of measuring

Pelvimetry is routinely performed in obstetrical management.

pelv/o

pelv/ic (PĔL-vĭc): 

-ic: pertaining to

A woman’s pelvis is usually less massive but wider and more circular than a man’s pelvis.

pod/o

foot

pod/iatry (pō-DĪ-ă-trē): 

-iatry: medicine, treatment

pub/o

pubis (anterior part of the pelvic bone)

pub/o/coccyg/eal (pū-bō-kŏk-SĬJ-ē-ăl): 

coccyg: coccyx (tailbone)

-eal: pertaining to

tibi/o

tibia (larger bone of the lower leg)

tibi/o/femor/al (tĭb-ē-ō-FĔM-or-ăl): 

femor: femur

-al: pertaining to

Other

ankyl/o

stiffness; bent, crooked

ankyl/osis (ăng-kĭ-LŌ-sĭs): 

-osis: abnormal condition; increase (used primarily with blood cells)

Ankylosis results in immobility and stiffness of a joint. It may be the result of trauma, surgery, or disease and most commonly occurs in rheumatoid arthritis.

arthr/o

joint

arthr/itis (ăr-THRĪ-tĭs): 

-itis: inflammation

chondr/o

cartilage

chondr/itis (kŏn-DRĪ-tĭs): 

-itis: inflammation

fasci/o

band, fascia (fibrous membrane supporting and separating muscles)

fasci/o/plasty (FĂSH-ē-ō-plăs-tē): 

-plasty: surgical repair

fibr/o

fiber, fibrous tissue

fibr/oma (fī-BRŌ-mă): 

-oma: tumor

kyph/o

humpback

kyph/osis (kī-FŌ-sĭs): 

-osis: abnormal condition; increase (used primarily with blood cells)

lamin/o

lamina (part of vertebral arch)

lamin/ectomy (lăm-ĭ-NĔK-tō-mē): 

-ectomy: excision, removal

Laminectomy is usually performed to relieve compression of the spinal cord or remove a lesion or herniated disk.

lord/o

curve, swayback

lord/osis (lor-DŌ-sĭs): 

-osis: abnormal condition; increase (used primarily with blood cells)

myel/o

bone marrow; spinal cord

myel/o/cyte (MĪ-ĕl-ō-sīt): 

-cyte: cell

orth/o

straight

orth/o/ped/ist (or-thō-PĒ-dĭst): 

ped: foot; child

-ist: specialist

Historically, an orthopedist corrected deformities and straightened children’s bones. In today’s medical practice, however, the orthopedist treats musculoskeletal disorders and associated structures in persons of all ages.

oste/o

bone

oste/oma (ŏs-tē-Ō-mă): 

-oma: tumor

Osteomas are benign bony tumors.

ped/o

foot; child

ped/o/graph (PĔD-ō-grăf): 

-graph: instrument for recording

A pedograph produces an imprint of the foot and studies the gait (manner of walking).

ped/i

ped/i/cure **  (PĔD-ĭ-kūr): 

scoli/o

crooked, bent

scoli/osis (skō-lē-Ō-sĭs): 

-osis: abnormal condition; increase (used primarily with blood cells)

Scoliosis is characterized by a lateral spinal curvature.

synov/o

synovial membrane, synovial fluid

synov/ectomy (sĭn-ō-VĔK-tō-mē): 

-ectomy: excision, removal

ten/o

tendon

ten/o/desis (tĕn-ŌD-ĕ-sĭs): 

-desis: binding, fixation (of a bone or joint)

tend/o

tend/o/plasty (TĔN-dō-plăs-tē): 

-plasty: surgical repair

tendin/o

tendin/itis (tĕn-dĭn-Ī-tĭs): 

-itis: inflammation

Suffixes

-asthenia

weakness, debility

my/asthenia (mī-ăs-THĒ-nē-ă): 

my: muscle

-clasia

to break; surgical fracture

oste/o/clasia (ŏs-tē-ō-KLĀ-zē-ă): 

oste/o: bone

Osteoclasia is the intentional fracture of a bone to correct a deformity and is also called osteoclasis.

-clast

to break; surgical fracture

oste/o/clast (ŎS-tē-ō-klăst): 

oste/o: bone

An osteoclast is a cell that breaks down the matrix of bone. Osteoblasts and osteoclasts work together to maintain a constant bone size in adults. An osteoclast also refers to an instrument used to surgically fracture a bone (osteoclasis).

-desis

binding, fixation (of a bone or joint)

arthr/o/desis (ăr-thrō-DĒ-sĭs): 

arthr/o: joint

This procedure immobilizes a joint to relieve intractable pain.

-malacia

softening

chondr/o/malacia (kŏn-drō-măl-Ā-shē-ă): 

chondr/o: cartilage

Chondromalacia is a deterioration of the articular cartilage, usually involving the patella.

-porosis

porous

oste/o/porosis (ŏs-tē-ō-pŏ-RŌ-sĭs): 

oste/o: bone

Osteoporosis is a disorder characterized by loss of bone density. It may cause pain, especially in the lower back; pathological fractures; loss of stature; and hairline fractures.

-sarcoma

malignant tumor of connective tissue

chondr/o/sarcoma (kŏn-drō-săr-KŌ-mă): 

chondr/o: cartilage

Connective tissue is found in cartilage, fat, blood vessels, bone, nerves, and muscles.

a-

without, not

a/trophy (ĂT-rō-fē): 

-trophy: development, nourishment

Atrophy causes a wasting or decrease in size or physiological activity of a part of the body because of disease or other influences.

dys-

bad; painful; difficult

dys/trophy (DĬS-trō-fē): 

-trophy: development, nourishment

syn-

union, together, joined

syn/dactyl/ism (sĭn-DĂK-tĭl-ĭzm): 

dactyl: fingers, toes

-ism: condition

Syndactylism results in a fusion of two or more fingers or toes.

Medical Word Elements

This section introduces combining forms, suffixes, and prefixes related to the digestive system. Word analyses are also provided. From the information provided, complete the meaning of the medical words in the right-hand column. The first one is completed for you.

Element

Meaning

Word Analysis and Meaning

Combining Forms

Mouth

or/o

mouth

or/al (OR-ăl): pertaining to the mouth

-al: pertaining to

stomat/o

stomat/itis (stŏ-mă-TĪ-tĭs): 

-itis: inflammation

gloss/o

tongue

gloss/ectomy (glŏs-ĔK-tō-mē): 

-ectomy: excision, removal

lingu/o

lingu/al (LĬN-gwăl): 

-al: pertaining to

bucc/o

cheek

bucc/al (RŬK-ăl): 

-al: pertaining to

cheil/o

lip

cheil/o/plasty (KĪ-lō-plăs-tē): 

-plasty: surgical repair

labi/o

labi/al (TĀ-bē-ăl): 

-al: pertaining to

dent/o

teeth

dent/ist (DĔN-tĭst): 

-ist: specialist

odont/o

orth/odont/ist (or-thō-DŎN-tĭst): 

orth: straight

-ist: specialist

Orthodontists are dentists who specialize in correcting and preventing irregularities of abnormally aligned teeth.

gingiv/o

gum(s)

gingiv/ectomy (jĭn-jĭ-VĔK-tō-mē): 

-ectomy: excision, removal

Gingivectomy is a surgical treatment for periodontal disease.

sial/o

saliva, salivary gland

sial/o/lith (sī-ĂL-ō-lĭth): 

-lith: stone, calculus

Esophagus, Pharynx, and Stomach

esophag/o

esophagus

esophag/o/scope (ē-SŎF-ă-gō-skōp): 

-scope: instrument for examining

pharyng/o

pharynx (throat)

pharyng/o/tonsill/itis (fă-rĭng-gō-tŏn-sĭ-FĪ-tĭs): 

tonsill: tonsils

-itis: inflammation

gastr/o

stomach

gastr/algia (găs-TRĂF-jē-ă): 

-algia: pain

Gastralgia is also called stomachache.

pylor/o

pylorus

pvlor/o/spasm (pī-LOR-ō-spăzm): 

-spasm: involuntary contraction, twitching

Pylorospasm occurs in the pyloric sphincter of the stomach.

Small Intestine

duoden/o

duodenum (first part of small intestine)

duoden/o/scopy (dū-ŏd-ĕ-NŎS-kō-pē): 

-scopy: visual examination

enter/o

intestine (usually small intestine)

enter/o/pathy (ĕn-tĕr-ŎP-ă-thē): 

-pathy: disease

Enteropathy typically occurs in the small intestine.

jejun/o

jejunum (second part of small intestine)

jejun/o/rrhaphy (jĕ-joo-NOR-ă-fē): 

-rrhaphy: suture

ile/o

ileum (third part of small intestine)

ile/o/stomy (ĭl-ē-ŎS-tō-mē): 

-stomy*: forming an opening (mouth)

An ileostomy creates an opening on the surface of the abdomen to allow feces to be discharged into a bag worn on the abdomen.

Large Intestine

append/o

appendix

append/ectomy (ăp-ĕn-DĔK-tō-mē): 

-ectomy: excision, removal

An appendectomy removes a diseased appendix that is in danger of rupturing.

appendic/o

appendic/itis (ă-pĕn-dĭ-SĪ-tĭs): 

-itis: inflammation

col/o

colon

col/o/stomy (kō-LŎS-tō-mē): 

-stomy: *  forming an opening (mouth)

A colostomy creates a place for fecal matter to exit the body other than through the anus.

colon/o

colon/o/scopy (kō-lŏn-ŎS-kō-pē): 

-scopy: visual examination

Colonoscopy is performed with an elongated flexible endoscope called a colonoscope.

sigmoid/o

sigmoid colon

sigmoid/o/tomy (sĭg-movd-ŎT-ō-mē): 

-tomy: incision

Terminal End of Large Intestine

rect/o

rectum

rect/o/cele (RĔK-tŏ-sēl): 

-cele: hernia, swelling

Rectocele is also known as proctocele.

proct/o

anus, rectum

proct/o/logist (prŏk-TŎL-ō-jĭst): 

-logist: specialist in the study of

A proctologist is a physician who specializes in treating disorders of the colon, rectum, and anus.

an/o

anus

peri/an/al (pĕr-ē-Ā-năl): 

peri-: around

-al: pertaining to

Accessory Organs of Digestion

hepat/o

liver

hepat/o/megaly (hĕp-ă-tō-MĔG-ă-lē): 

-megaly: enlargement

pancreat/o

pancreas

pancreat/o/lysis (păn-krē-ă-TŎL-ĭ-sĭs): 

-lysis: separation; destruction; loosening

Pancreatolysis may be related to alcohol consumption or result from inflammation, infection, or cancer.

cholangi/o

bile vessel

cholangi/ole (ko-TĂN-jē-ōl): 

-ole: small, minute

chol/e **

bile, gall

chol/e/lith (KŌ-lē-lĭth): 

-lith: calculus, stone

Gallstones are solid masses composed of bile and cholesterol that form in the gallbladder and common bile duct.

cholecyst/o

gallbladder

cholecyst/ectomy (kō-lē-sĭs-TĔK-tō-mē): 

-ectomy: excision, removal

Cholecystectomy is performed by laparoscopic or open surgery.

choledoch/o

bile duct

choledoch/o/plasty (kō-TĔD-ō-kō-plăs-tē): 

-plasty: surgical repair

Suffixes

-emesis

vomit

hyper/emesis (hī-pĕr-ĔM-ĕ-sĭs): 

hyper-: excessive, above normal

-iasis

abnormal condition (produced by something specified)

chol/e/lith/iasis (kō-lē-lĭ-THĪ-ă-sĭs): 

chol/e: bile, gall

lith: stone, calculus

When gallstones form in the common bile duct, the condition is called  choledocholithiasis.

-megaly

enlargement

hepat/o/megaly (hĕp-ă-tō-MĔG-ă-lē): 

hepat/o: liver

Hepatomegaly may be caused by hepatitis or infection, fatty infiltration (as in alcoholism), biliary obstruction, or malignancy.

-orexia

appetite

an/orexia (ăn-ō-RĔK-sē-ă): 

an-: without, not

Anorexia can result from various conditions, such as adverse effects of drugs or various physical or psychological causes.

-pepsia

digestion

dys/pepsia (dĭs-PĔP-sē-ă): 

dys-: bad; painful; difficult

Dyspepsia, also called  indigestion,  is an epigastric discomfort felt after eating.

-phagia

swallowing, eating

aer/o/phagia (ĕr-ō-FĀ-jē-ă): 

aer/o: air

-prandial

meal

post/prandial (pōst-PRĂN-dē-ăl): 

post-: after, behind

-rrhea

discharge, flow

steat/o/rrhea (stē-ă-tō-RĒ-ă)

steat/o: fat

Prefixes

dia-

through, across

dia/rrhea (dī-ă-RĒ-ă): 

-rrhea: discharge, flow

Diarrhea is a discharge or flow of fluid fecal matter through the bowel.

peri-

around

peri/odont/itis (pĕr-ē-ō-dŏn-TĪ-tĭs): 

odont-: tooth

-itis: inflammation

sub-

under, below

sub/lingu/al (sŭb-LĬN-gwăl): 

lingu: tongue

-al: pertaining to

edical Word Elements

This section introduces combining forms, suffixes, and prefixes related to the respiratory system. Word analyses are also provided. From the information provided, complete the meaning of the medical words in the right-hand column. The first one is completed for you.

Element

Meaning

Word Analysis

Combining Forms

Upper RespiratoryTract

nas/o

nose

nas/al (NĀ-zl): pertaining to the nose

-al: pertaining to

rhin/o

rhin/o/plasty (RĪ-nō-plăs-tē): 

-plasty: surgical repair

Rhinoplasty is performed to correct birth defects or for cosmetic purposes.

sept/o

septum

sept/o/plasty (SĔP-tō-plăs-tē): 

-plasty: surgical repair

Septoplasty is commonly performed to correct a deviated septum.

sinus/o

sinus, cavity

sinus/o/tomy (sī-nŭs-ŎT-ō-mē): 

-tomy: incision

Sinusotomy is performed to improve breathing or for drainage in unresponsive sinusitis.

pharyng/o

pharynx (throat)

pharyng/o/scope (făr-ĬN-gō-skōp): 

-scope: instrument for examining

adenoid/o

adenoids

adenoid/ectomy (ăd-ĕ-noyd-ĔK-tō-mē): 

-ectomy: excision, removal

tonsill/o

tonsils

peri/tonsill/ar (pĕr-ĭ-TŎN-sĭ-lăr): 

peri-: around

-ar: pertaining to

epiglott/o

epiglottis

epiglott/itis (ĕp-ĭ-glŏt-Ī-tĭs): 

-itis: inflammation

Because the epiglottis seals the opening to the lungs, inflammation can lead to severe airway obstruction and death. Epiglottitis is treated as a medical emergency.

laryng/o

larynx (voice box)

laryng/o/plegia (lă-rĭn-gō-PLĒ-jē-ă): 

-plegia: paralysis

trache/o

trachea (windpipe)

trache/o/plasty (TRĀ-kē-ō-plăs-tē): 

-plasty: surgical repair

Tracheoplasty is performed to correct a narrow or stenotic trachea.

Lower RespiratoryTract

bronchi/o

bronchus (plural, bronchi)

bronchi/ectasis (brŏng-kē-ĔK-tă-sĭs): 

-ectasis: dilation, expansion

Bronchiectasis is associated with various lung conditions and is commonly accompanied by chronic infection.

bronch/o

bronch/o/scope (BRŎNG-kō-skōp): 

-scope: instrument for examining

A bronchoscope is a flexible tube that is passed through the nose or mouth to enable inspection of the lungs and collection of tissue biopsies and secretions for analysis.

bronchiol/o

bronchiole

bronchiol/itis (brŏng-kē-ō-LĪ-tĭs): 

-itis: inflammation

alveol/o

alveolus; air sac

alveol/ar (ăl-VĒ-ō-lăr): 

-ar: pertaining to

pleur/o

pleura

pleur/o/scopy (ploo-RŎS-kō-pē): 

-scopy: visual examination

Pleuroscopy involves insertion of a specialized endoscope through a small incision in the chest to allow an inspection of the pleural space, obtain lung tissue for analysis, inject medications, and perform other diagnostic or therapeutic procedures.

pneum/o

air; lung

pneum/o/lith (brŏng-kē-ĔK-tă-sĭs): 

-lith: stone, calculus

pneumon/o

pneumon/ia (BRŎNG-kō-skōp): 

-ia: condition

pulmon/o

lung

pulmon/o/logist (pŭl-mŏ-N ŎL-ŏ-jĭst): 

-logist: specialist in the study of

Other

anthrac/o

coal, coal dust

anthrac/osis (ăn-thră-KŌ-sĭs): 

-osis: abnormal condition; increase (used primarily with blood cells)

Anthracosis (black lung disease) is a chronic occupational disease found in coal miners and those associated with the coal industry.

atel/o

incomplete; imperfect

atel/ectasis (ăt-ĕ-LĔK-tă-sĭs): 

-ectasis: dilation, expansion

Atelectasis (airless or collapsed lung) is usually caused by a blocked airway, trauma to the chest cavity, or infection.

coni/o

dust

pneum/o/coni/osis (nū-mō-kō-nē-Ō-sĭs): 

pneum/o: air; lung

-osis: abnormal condition; increase (used primarily with blood cells)

Pneumoconiosis is caused by mineral dusts of occupational or environmental origin and includes silicosis, asbestosis, and anthracosis.

cyan/o

blue

cyan/osis (sī-ă-NŌ-sĭs): 

-osis: abnormal condition; increase (used primarily with blood cells)

Cyanosis results from poor circulation or inadequate oxygenation of the blood.

lob/o

lobe

lob/ectomy (lō-BĔK-tō-mē): 

-ectomy: excision

Lobectomies are performed when a malignancy is confined to a single lobe of any lobed organ, such as the lungs, liver, and thyroid gland.

orth/o

straight

orth/o/pnea (or-THŎP-nē-ă): 

-pnea: breathing

Discomfort in breathing that is relieved by sitting or standing in an erect position.

ox/o

oxygen (O2)

hyp/ox/emia (hī-pŏks-Ē-mē-ă): 

hyp-: under, below, deficient

-emia: blood condition

Hypoxemia is an abnormal decrease of oxygen in arterial blood.

pector/o

chest

pector/algia (pĕk-tō-RĂL-jē-ă): 

-algia: pain

Pectoralgia is also called thoracalgia or thoracodynia.

steth/o

steth/o/scope (STĔTH-ō-skōp): 

-scope: instrument for examining

A stethoscope enables evaluation of sounds in the chest and the abdomen, an assessment technique known as auscultation.

thorac/o

thorac/o/pathy (thō-răk-ŎP-ă-thē): 

-pathy: disease

phren/o

diaphragm; mind

phren/o/spasm (FRĔN-ō-spăzm): 

-spasm: involuntary contraction, twitching

spir/o

breathe

spir/o/meter (spī-RŎM-ĕt-ĕr): 

-meter: instrument for measuring

A spirometer evaluates the movement of air into and out of the lungs (ventilation).

Suffixes

-capnia

carbon dioxide (CO2)

hyper/capnia (hī-pĕr-KĂP-nē-ă): 

hyper-: excessive, above normal

-osmia

smell

an/osmia (ăn-ŎZ-mē-ă): 

an-: without, not

Anosmia is a loss, usually partial, of the sense of smell. It can be temporary or permanent, depending on the cause.

-phonia

voice

dys/phonia (dĭs-FŌ-nē-ă): 

dys-: bad; painful; difficult

Dysphonia usually signifies dysfunction in the muscles needed to produce sound.

-pnea

breathing

a/pnea (ĂP-nē-ă): 

a-: without, not

-ptysis

spitting

hem/o/ptysis (hē-MŎP-tĭ-sĭs): 

hem/o: blood

Hemoptysis is usually a sign of a serious condition of the lungs.

-thorax

chest

hem/o/thorax (hē-mō-THŌ-răks): 

hem/o: blood

Hemothorax is a type of pleural effusion containing blood and commonly associated with severe trauma to the chest.

Prefixes

brady-

slow

brady/pnea (brăd-ĭp-NĒ-ă): 

-pnea: breathing

dys-

bad; painful; difficult

dys/pnea (DĬSP-nē-ă): 

-pnea: breathing

eu-

good, normal

eu/pnea (ŪP-nē-ă): 

-pnea: breathing

tachy-

rapid

tachy/pnea (tăk-ĭp-NĒ-ă): 

-pnea: breathing