Medical Terminology for Surgery: Key Prefixes and Suffixes

Overview

This lesson covers essential prefixes and suffixes used in medical terminology related to surgical procedures and processes. Understanding these can help in deciphering complex medical terms.

Key Suffixes in Surgical Processes

• -ectomy: Excision or removal
  • Example: Splenectomy (removal of the spleen)
• -otomy: Incision or cutting
  • Example: Tracheotomy
• -sect: To cut
  • Example: Dissect
• -ostomy: To make a hole
  • Example: Ileostomy (hole in the ileum)
• -plasty: Surgical repair
  • Example: Tympanoplasty (repair of the tympanic membrane)
• -pexy: Fixation
  • Example: Orchiopexy
• -rrhaphy: Suturing
  • Example: Enterorrhaphy (suturing of the intestines)
• -desis: Surgical union
  • Example: Fasciodesis (surgical union of fascia)
• -lysis: Irrigation or washing
  • Example: Proctolysis
• -centesis: Removal of fluid or aspiration
  • Example: Arthrocentesis, Pericardiocentesis
• -tripsy: Crushing
  • Example: Lithotripsy
• -puncture: Puncture
  • Example: Acupuncture
• -opsy: Examination or inspection
  • Example: Autopsy, Biopsy
• -metry: To measure
  • Example: Optometry
• -scopy: To view
  • Example: Endoscopy
• -graph/-graphy: Recording process
  • Example: Electrocardiography (process of recording heart activity)
• -gram: Recording
  • Example: Electrocardiogram

Common Prefixes

• stoma: Artificial opening or hole
• per-/dia-: Through
  • Example: Percutaneous, Dialysis
• self/aut/o: From oneself
  • Example: Autograft
• allo-: From another person
  • Example: Allograft
• xeno-: From a different species
  • Example: Xenograft
• chemo-: Chemical
  • Example: Chemotherapy (chemical treatment)

Surgical Instruments and Diagnostic Tools

• echo-/sono-/phono-: Relate to sound
  • Example: Echocardiogram
• electro-: Pertaining to electrical charge
  • Example: Electrocardiogram
• -scope: Instrument for viewing
• -tome: Instrument for incision
• -meter: Instrument to measure
  • Example: Thermometer

Practice Problems

1. Colostomy: Making a hole in the colon.
2. Lithotripsy: Crushing of a stone or calculi.
3. Electrocardiogram: Recording of heart's electrical activity.
4. Thoracentesis: Aspiration of fluid from the thorax.
5. Arthrodesis: Surgical union of a joint.
6. Hypodermolysis: Washing under the skin.
7. Nephropexy: Surgical fixation of a kidney.
8. Gastrorrhaphy: Suturing of the stomach.
9. Optometry: Measuring the eyes.

Conclusion

This lesson covered the basics of surgical-related medical terminology, focusing on prefixes and suffixes to help interpret complex medical terms. For further learning, viewers are encouraged to explore other related lessons.