Prefixes & Suffixes

The following list is by no means complete, but it may help in understanding some difficult terminology. The following abbreviations are used ; Gr., for the Greek ; L., for the Latin.

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Term Definition
flu-

(L., thread), filiform , thread-like.
flex-

(L,. bend), flexor , muscle that bends joints.
extra-

(L., beyond), extracellular , beyond or outside the cell.
ex-

(Gr., external), exoskeleton , external skeleton.
eu-

(Gr., good or well), eugenic , being fitted for the production of good offspring.
equi-

(L., horse), Equisetineae , class to which the horsetails belong.
epi-

(Gr., upon), epidermis , epithelial layer upon the dennis.
eo-

(Gr., dawn, or early), Eocene , early geologic period.
endo- or ento-

(Gr., within), endoderm , inner layer of cells.
en-

(Gr., in or within), encyst, to cover with a membranous cyst.
ecto-

(Gr., outside), ectoderm , outer layer of cells.
ec-

(Gr., house or environment), ecology , study of the habitats of an organism.
e-

(L., out of, without), egest , to pass outside.
dura-

(L., tough), duramater, tough, outer covering of the brain and spinal cord.
dors-

(L., back), dorsal , pertaining to the back.