The prefix [para-] has a Greek origin and means "beside" or "alongside". Today we add the meaning of "parallel to".

We see the daily application of this prefix  in words such as [paramedic], [parajournalism], [paralogism], and [paranormal].

Medical applications of the term include:

• paraesternal: alongside the sternum, such as the internal thoracic vessels
• paramedian: alongside the median plane
• parasagittal: parallel to a sagittal plane (synomym with paramedian)
• paraumbilical: alongside the umbilicus, such as paraumbilical visceral extrusion in a gastroschisis
• parathyroid glands: glans that are found besides the thyroid gland, etc.