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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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