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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