Essential Medical Terminology Suffixes

Dec 10, 2024

Medical Terminology: Common Suffixes

Introduction

  • Understanding medical words involves breaking them down into prefixes, roots, and suffixes.
    • Prefix: Describes characteristics (color, size, location).
    • Root: Subject of the term, often a body part or system.
    • Suffix: Adds meaning, describing procedures, tests, diagnoses, conditions, or processes.

Common Medical Suffixes

Suffixes Related to Procedures

  • -ostomy: To surgically create an opening.
    • Example: Colostomy (new opening for the colon).
  • -otomy: Incision or cutting into.
    • Example: Laparotomy (incision into the abdomen).
  • -ectomy: Surgical removal.
    • Example: Nephrectomy (removal of a kidney).
  • -oscopy: Examination or viewing, often with a scope.
    • Examples: Cystoscopy (bladder), Colonoscopy (colon), Arthroscopy (joint).
  • -centesis: Puncture or aspiration.
    • Examples: Pericardiocentesis (heart), Thoracentesis (chest).
  • -plasty: Surgical repair or restoration.
    • Example: Rhinoplasty (surgery of the nose).
  • -tripsy: Crushing.
    • Example: Lithotripsy (crushing of stones).
  • -desis: Binding or fusing together.
    • Example: Pleurodesis (fusing pleura).
  • -scope: Instrument used for viewing.
    • Examples: Otoscope (ear), Ophthalmoscope (eye).
  • -opsy: Examination or inspection.
    • Examples: Biopsy (removal for examination), Autopsy (examination after death).

Suffixes Related to Tests

  • -gram: Record or picture.
    • Example: Electrocardiogram (activity of the heart).
  • -graph: Instrument to record.
    • Example: Electrocardiograph (machine for ECG).
  • -graphy: Process of recording.
    • Example: Electrocardiography (recording heart activity).

Suffixes Related to Signs and Symptoms

  • -itis: Inflammation.
    • Example: Arthritis (inflammation of joints).
  • -paresis: Weakness.
    • Example: Hemiparesis (weakness on one side).
  • -plegia: Paralysis.
    • Example: Quadriplegia (paralysis of four limbs).
  • -rrhea: Discharge or flow.
    • Examples: Rhinorrhea (runny nose), Otorrhea (ear discharge).
  • -edema: Swelling.
    • Example: Blepharoedema (eyelid swelling).
  • -odynia: Pain.
    • Example: Osteodynia (bone pain).
  • -spasm: Muscle contraction.
    • Example: Vasospasm (blood vessel contraction).
  • -rrhage/-rrhagia: Excessive flow.
    • Example: Hemorrhage (excessive blood flow).
  • -algia: Pain.
    • Examples: Cephalgia (headache), Neuralgia (nerve pain).

Descriptive Suffixes

  • -megaly: Enlargement.
    • Examples: Hepatomegaly (liver), Cardiomegaly (heart).
  • -icle: Small.
    • Example: Denticle (small tooth).
  • -constriction: Narrowing.
    • Example: Vasoconstriction (narrowing of blood vessels).
  • -dilation: Expanding or widening.
    • Example: Vasodilation (widening of blood vessels).
  • -eurysm: Expand or widen.
    • Example: Aneurysm (blood vessel ballooning).
  • -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 (stomach hernia).
  • -genic: Caused by or produced by.
    • Examples: Cardiogenic (arising in the heart), Nephrogenic (originating in the kidney).
  • -ism: Medical condition or process.
    • Example: Hyperthyroidism (overactive thyroid).
  • -ologist: Specialist.
    • Example: Pulmonologist (lung specialist).
  • -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.
  • -penia: Deficiency.
    • Example: Pancytopenia (deficiency of blood cells).
  • -pnea: Breathing.
    • Example: Tachypnea (rapid breathing).
  • -emia: Blood condition.
    • Example: Anemia (deficiency in red blood cells).

Conclusion

  • Understanding suffixes aids in decoding medical terminology.
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