Common Medical Suffixes

Introduction

• Medical Terminology Structure
  • Medical words typically have a prefix, root, and suffix.
  • Prefix: Describes characteristics like color, amount, size, location, or position.
  • Root: Subject of the term, often pertains to a body part or system.
  • Suffix: Brings meaning to the word, describes procedure, test, diagnosis, condition, or process.

Suffixes Related to Procedures

• -ostomy: Surgical creation of an artificial opening.
  • Example: Colostomy (opening for the colon).
• -otomy: Incision or cut into.
  • Example: Laparotomy (incision into the abdominal cavity).
• -ectomy: Surgical removal or excision.
  • Example: Nephrectomy (removal of a kidney).
• -oscopy: Examination or viewing with a scope.
  • Examples: Cystoscopy (viewing the bladder), Colonoscopy (viewing the colon).
• -centesis: Puncture or aspiration.
  • Examples: Pericardiocentesis (removal of fluid in the heart), Thoracentesis (aspiration from the chest cavity).
• -plasty: Surgical repair, restoration, or replacement.
  • Example: Rhinoplasty (surgery on the nose).
• -tripsy: Crushing.
  • Example: Lithotripsy (crushing of stones).
• -desis: Binding or fusing together.
  • Example: Pleurodesis (fusing layers of the pleura).
• -scope: Instrument used to view or observe.
  • Examples: Otoscope (examines the ear), Ophthalmoscope (examines the eye).

Suffixes Pertaining to Tests

• -gram: Record or picture.
  • Example: Electrocardiogram (recording of heart's electrical activity).
• -graph: Instrument used to record or take a picture.
  • Example: Electrocardiograph (machine producing ECG).
• -graphy: Process of recording or taking a picture.
  • Example: Electrocardiography (recording of heart's activity).

Suffixes Related to Signs and Symptoms

• -itis: Inflammation.
  • Example: Arthritis (inflammation of joints).
• -paresis: Weakness.
  • Example: Hemiparesis (weakness on one side of the body).
• -plegia: Paralysis.
  • Example: Quadriplegia (paralysis of four limbs).
• -rhea: Discharge or flow.
  • Example: Rhinorrhea (runny nose).
• -edema: Swelling or fluid accumulation.
  • Example: Blepharoedema (swelling of the eyelid).
• -odynia: Pain or discomfort.
  • Example: Osteodynia (pain in a bone).
• -spasm: Sudden muscle contraction.
  • Example: Vasospasm (constriction of a blood vessel).
• -rrhage/-rrhagia: Excessive flow or discharge.
  • Example: Hemorrhage (heavy discharge of blood).
• -algia: Pain.
  • Example: Cephalgia (headache).

Common Descriptive Suffixes

• -megaly: Abnormal enlargement.
  • Example: Hepatomegaly (enlargement of the liver).
• -icle: Small or minute.
  • Example: Denticle (small tooth-like projection).
• -constriction: Narrowing or contracting.
  • Example: Vasoconstriction (narrowing of blood vessels).
• -dilation: Expanding or widening.
  • Example: Vasodilation (widening of blood vessels).
• -euryism: Expand or widen.
  • Example: Aneurysm (bulge in a blood vessel wall).
• -genesis: Development or production.
  • Example: Neurogenesis (formation of neurons).
• -stasis: Stoppage or slowdown.
  • Example: Hemostasis (stoppage of bleeding).

General Suffixes

• -cele: Hernia or swelling.
  • Example: Gastrocele (hernia of the stomach).
• -genic: Caused by or produced by.
  • Example: Cardiogenic (originating in the heart).
• -ism: Condition, disease, or process.
  • Example: Hyperthyroidism (overactive thyroid).
• -ologist: Specialist or expert.
  • Example: Pulmonologist (specialist in lungs).
• -ology: Study of.
  • Example: Pulmonology (study of lungs).
• -oma: Tumor or growth.
  • Example: Melanoma (tumor of melanin cells).
• -pathy: Disease.
  • Example: Cardiomyopathy (heart disease).
• -osis: Condition.
  • Example: Tuberculosis (infectious disease).
• -penia: Deficiency.
  • Example: Pancytopenia (deficiency of blood cells).
• -pnea: Breathing or respiration.
  • Example: Tachypnea (rapid breathing).
• -emia: Blood or blood condition.
  • Example: Anemia (deficiency of red blood cells).

Conclusion

• Understanding suffixes can simplify learning medical terminology and enhance comprehension of terms.
• Review of medical suffixes helps in decoding complex medical terms through their components.
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