Genitourinary Language Workshop
Again, this list is in no way an exhaustive list of Genitourinary word-building word parts and abbreviations. It is meant
merely to be a review of words commonly associated with the GU specialty—words you are likely to be exposed to in this
FOMS unit, in the practicum modules of this training program, and as a successful working medical transcriptionist.
Common Genitourinary Root Words and Combining Forms
Root Word & Combining Form
Meaning
Example
balan/o
glans penis
balanitis
angi/o
crypt/o
cyst/o
epididym/o
genit/o
gonad/o
granul/o
hom/o
hydr/o
infer/o
lapar/o
lith/o
muc/o
my/o
nephr/o
orchi/o
py/o
pyel/o
semin/o
spermat/o
ur/o
ureter/o
vas/o
vessel
hide, conceal
cyst, bladder
epididymis
genitals
gonad
grain, particle
common, same
water, watery fluid
lowermost, below
flank, abdominal wall
stone
mucus
muscle
kidney
testicle
pus
trough, renal pelvis
semen
seed
urine
ureter
vessel, vas deferens
angiotensin
cryptococcosis
cystocele
epididymitis
genitourinary
gonadectomy
granulocyte
homosexual
hydrocele
inferior
laparotomy
lithotripsy
mucosectomy
myoblastoma
nephrolithiasis
orchiectomy
pyogenic
pyelonephritis
seminal
spermatocele
polyuria
ureterovesical
vasodilation
Common Genitourinary Prefixes
Prefix
Meaning
Example
de-
down from, removing
decompression
bi-/didysepiin-
two
difficult, abnormal
above/on
not
bifid/dissect
dysenteric
epididymis
incidental
multi-/poly-
many, excessive
multifocal/polyuria
para-
near, beside, abnormal
paraesophageal
mono-/uni-
one
peri-
around, near
supra-
above, over
monoclonal/unilateral
periurethral
suprapubic
Common Genitourinary Suffixes
Suffix
Meaning
Example
-emia
blood
anemia
-centesis
procedure to aspirate fluid
-lysis
loosening/breaking apart
-megaly
enlargement
-rrhage/-rrhagia
excessive flow
-rrhea
flow or discharge
-tripsy
surgical crushing
paracentesis
clysis
pancreatomegaly
ureterorrhagia
diarrhea
lithotripsy
Common Genitourinary Abbreviations
Abbreviation
Expansion
CAUTI
catheter-associated urinary tract infection
BPH
DVIU
UPJ
TURP
TURBT
TURB
UA
ESWL
KUB
VCUG
benign prostatic hypertrophy or hyperplasia
direct-vision internal urethrotomy
ureteropelvic junction
transurethral resection of prostate, transurethral prostatectomy
transurethral resection of bladder tumor
transurethral resection of bladder tumor
urinalysis
extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy
kidneys, ureters, bladder
voiding cystourethrogram
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