Medical Terminology Prefixes #3

Learn how to memorize the Cata, Con, Contra, Circum, and De’s Medical Term Prefix meaning definition in today’s Medical Terminology Course video for Pre-Med and Nursing Students.

Medical Terms Prefixes Memorized

• Cata- Medical Term
• Con- Medical Term
• Contra- Medical Term
• Circum- Medical Term
• De- Medical Term

The key idea with being able to memorize med terms and vocabulary words is the create pictures for those words.

Just take both the picture for the word and the picture for the definition and visualize an interaction between the two like we did above.

Cata Medical Term Prefix with Mnemonic

cata- means: reverse

Cata- Medical Term Mnemonic = cat + apple
Cata- Prefix Meaning Mnemonic: reverse = walking backwards

Cata Medical Term Mnemonic Story: Cat was walking backwards and ran into an apple

Cata Medical Terminology Example to Use in a Sentence

cataplasia = degenerative reversion of cells or tissue to a less differentiated form
[American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition. © 2011]

Circum Medical Term Prefix with Mnemonic

circum- means: around

Circum- Medical Term Mnemonic = circus + gum
Circum- Prefix Meaning Mnemonic: around = wrapped around

Circum Medical Term Mnemonic Story: Circus was wrapped around with gum

Circum Medical Terminology Example to Use in a Sentence

circumanal = surrounding the anus
[Farlex Partner Medical Dictionary © Farlex 2012]

Con Medical Term Prefix with Mnemonic

con- means: together

Con- Medical Term Mnemonic = ice cream cone
Con- Prefix Meaning Mnemonic: together = joining together

Con Medical Term Mnemonic Story: Placed ice cream together on top of the cone

Con Medical Terminology Example to Use in a Sentence

concentric = describing two or more circles that have a common center
[Mosby’s Medical Dictionary, 9th edition. © 2009, Elsevier.]

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Contra Medical Term Prefix with Mnemonic

contra- means: opposed

Contra- Medical Term Mnemonic = conch shell + trap
Contra- Prefix Meaning Mnemonic: opposed = opposed (action)

Contra Medical Term Mnemonic Story: The conch shell and mouse trap were opposed to being near each other

Contra Medical Terminology Example to Use in a Sentence

contraception = prevention of conception or impregnation
[Farlex Partner Medical Dictionary © Farlex 2012]

De Medical Term Prefix with Mnemonic

de- means: remove entirely

De- Medical Term Mnemonic = letter “D”
De- Prefix Meaning Mnemonic: remove entirely = take away a section, like a backwards “C”

De Medical Term Mnemonic Story: Removed the long part of the letter “D” and now it looks “C”

De Medical Terminology Example to Use in a Sentence

decapitation = removal of a head
[Farlex Partner Medical Dictionary © Farlex 2012]

That’s It! You now know how to memorize Cata, Con, Contra, Circum, and De Medical Term Prefixes! Just review a little bit and you will have these words fully memorized come test day.

Learn the Next Set of Medical Terms: Prefixes #4

Be sure to watch and review more Medical Terminology Course Videos Right Here

Remember that if you’re a Pre Med or Nursing Student studying to do well on your exams to get into medical school, the Medical Terminology Mastery Book will teach you the creative memorization techniques to turn Suffixes, Prefixes, Abbreviations, and any medical vocabulary root word into an easy to learn mnemonic. 

Subjects and Topics Featured in the book include:

> Philosophy, Chemistry, Biochemistry, Genetics, Microbiology, Cell Physiology
> Human Physiology, Physiology, Kinesiology & Health Sciences (KHS), Robbins Pathology, Osteopathic, Anesthesiology, First Aid
> Nervous System, Neurology, Psychology, Psychiatry, Brain
> Anatomy, Muscular, Skeletal, Cardiovascular, Cardiology, Pulmonology
> Metabolism, Immunology, Reproduction, Dermatology
> Radiology, Surgery, Pediatrics, Ophthalmology, Hematology-Oncology (Heme/Onc)
> Renal, GI, Endocrine, MS and more…

See the Medical Terminology Dictionary List Here