neur-

Neur– is a combining form used like a prefix that literally means “nerve.” The form is also used figuratively to mean “nerves” or “nervous system.” It is often used in medical terms, especially in anatomy.

Neur– comes from Greek neûron, meaning “nerve.” Neûron is a distant relative of sinew, which is of Old English origin, and nerve, which is of Latin origin. To learn more, check out the entries for both words.

What are variants of neur-?

Neur– is a variant of neuro–, which loses its –o– when combined with words or word elements beginning with vowels. Want to know more? Read our Words That Use article about neuro-.

A medical term that uses neur– that you may have come across before is neuralgia, “sharp and paroxysmal pain along the course of a nerve.”

The neur– part of the word means “nerve.” The form –algia means “pain,” from Greek álgos. Neuralgia literally translates to “nerve pain.”

What are some words that use the combining form neur-?

• neuraxis
• neurectomy
• neurectasis
• neuritis
• neuroma
• neurosis (using the equivalent form of neur– in Latin)

What are some other forms that neur– may be commonly confused with?

• nitro-
• non-
• nona-
• normo-

The combining form –ectomy means “excision” or “surgical removal.” With this in mind, what kind of medical procedure is a neurectomy?