The prefix auto- means self or oneself. It is derived from the Greek word autos, which means self. This prefix is commonly used in various fields, including medicine, to denote something related to oneself or occurring within the body.
An example of a medical term that uses the prefix auto- is autoimmune. The term autoimmune refers to a condition where the body’s immune system mistakenly attacks its own tissues. In this case, the prefix auto- indicates that the immune response is directed against the self, leading to various autoimmune diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis, lupus, and type 1 diabetes.