What does ante- mean in medical terms?

ante-

Meaning: before, forward, in front of

Type: Prefix

A prefix goes at the very start of a word, before the root. On this page: what ante- means, and real medical words that use it, each broken down into its parts.

Example words using ante-

antenatal
ante- (before) + natal (birth) = before birth
antecubital
ante- (in front of) + cubital (relating to the elbow) = in front of the elbow
anteflexion
ante- (forward) + flexion (bending) = forward bending

Shortened forms

Charts and notes shorten long terms — see the Medical Abbreviations guide for the short forms you will meet in real records.

Please note: This section teaches the language of medicine — what word parts mean and how terms are built. It is an educational reference, not medical advice. For the meaning of a word in your own medical record, ask the clinician who wrote it.