Medical Suffixes Overview

Overview

This lecture covers common medical suffixes, their meanings, and examples to help break down and understand medical terminology.

Structure of Medical Terms

• Medical words often include a prefix (describes characteristics), a root (subject, often a body part), and a suffix (adds meaning, e.g., condition or procedure).
• Some terms lack a prefix, starting with the root; some have multiple roots.

Suffixes Related to Procedures

• -ostomy: Surgical creation of an opening (e.g., colostomy).
• -otomy: Cutting into/incision (e.g., laparotomy).
• -ectomy: Surgical removal (e.g., nephrectomy).
• -oscopy: Visual examination with a scope (e.g., colonoscopy).
• -centesis: Puncture to aspirate fluid (e.g., thoracentesis).
• -plasty: Surgical repair or reconstruction (e.g., rhinoplasty).
• -tripsy: Crushing (e.g., lithotripsy).
• -desis: Binding or fusing (e.g., pleurodesis).
• -scope: Instrument for viewing (e.g., otoscope).
• -opsy: Examination/inspection (e.g., biopsy).

Suffixes Related to Tests

• -gram: Record or picture (e.g., electrocardiogram).
• -graph: Instrument to record (e.g., electrocardiograph).
• -graphy: Process of recording (e.g., electrocardiography).

Suffixes Indicating Signs and Symptoms

• -itis: Inflammation (e.g., arthritis).
• -paresis: Weakness (e.g., hemiparesis).
• -plegia: Paralysis (e.g., quadriplegia).
• -rhea: Discharge or flow (e.g., rhinorrhea).
• -edema: Swelling (e.g., blepharoedema).
• -odynia: Pain (e.g., osteodynia).
• -spasm: Sudden contraction (e.g., vasospasm).
• -rrhage/-rrhagia: Excessive discharge (e.g., hemorrhage).
• -algia: Pain (e.g., neuralgia).

Common Descriptive Suffixes

• -megaly: Enlargement (e.g., cardiomegaly).
• -icle: Small (e.g., denticle).
• -constriction: Narrowing (e.g., vasoconstriction).
• -dilation: Widening (e.g., vasodilation).
• -urysm: Bulging/expansion (e.g., aneurysm).
• -genesis: Formation/development (e.g., neurogenesis).
• -stasis: Cessation of flow (e.g., hemostasis).

General Suffixes

• -cele: Hernia or swelling (e.g., gastrocele).
• -genic: Produced by/originating from (e.g., cardiogenic).
• -ism/-osis/-pathy: Condition or disease (e.g., hyperthyroidism, tuberculosis, cardiomyopathy).
• -ologist: Specialist (e.g., pulmonologist).
• -ology: Study of (e.g., pulmonology).
• -oma: Tumor (e.g., melanoma).
• -penia: Deficiency (e.g., pancytopenia).
• -pnea: Breathing (e.g., tachypnea).
• -emia: Blood condition (e.g., anemia).

Key Terms & Definitions

• Prefix — beginning of a term, describes characteristics.
• Root — core subject, often a body part.
• Suffix — end of a word, provides extra meaning (e.g., condition, procedure).
• Combining vowel — vowel (usually 'o') used to connect word parts.

Action Items / Next Steps

• Review previous videos on prefixes and roots.
• Practice breaking down medical terms using these common suffixes.
• Access additional notes and tables via the website linked in the video.