Pre-

The prefix [pre-] has its origin in the Latin preposition [prae] meaning "anterior", "in front of", or "before". 

Applications of this prefix include:

precordial: anterior to the heart, as in "precordial pain"
preoperative: before the operation
preperitoneal: anterior to the peritoneum, referring to the region found outside and anterior to the peritoneal sac, an area containing fat, and important for preperitoneal laparoscopic surgery
presystolic: before systole
• preaortic: anterior to the aorta

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