1.4: Suffix
Suffixes are word parts that are located at the end of words. Suffixes can alter the meaning of medical terms. It is important to spell and pronounce suffixes correctly. Suffixes in medical terms are common to English language suffixes. Suffixes are not always explicitly stated in the definition of a word. It is common that suffixes will not be explicitly stated when defining a medical term in the workplace. However, when transcribing or reading medical reports the suffix is always clearly written. In order to properly spell and pronounce medical terms, it is helpful to learn the suffixes.
| SUFFIX | MEANING | EXAMPLE OF USE IN MEDICAL TERMS |
|---|
| -a | noun ending, no meaning | leukoderma |
| -ac | pertaining to | cardiac |
| -ad | toward | dorsad |
| -algia | pain | myalgia |
| -amnios | amnion, amniotic fluid | oligohydramnios |
| -apheresis | removal | plasmapheresis |
| -ar | pertaining to | appendicular |
| -ary | pertaining to | coronary |
| – asthenia | weakness | Myasthenia gravis |
| SUFFIX | MEANING | EXAMPLE OF USE IN MEDICAL TERMS |
|---|
| -carcinoma | cancerous tumour | adenocarcinoma |
| -cele | hernia, protrusion, swelling | hydrocele |
| -centesis | surgical puncture to aspirate fluid | amniocentesis |
| -crine | to secrete | exocrine |
| -cyesis | pregnancy | pseudocyesis |
| -cyte | cell | leukocyte |
| SUFFIX | MEANING | EXAMPLE OF USE IN MEDICAL TERMS |
|---|
| -desis | surgical fixation, fusion | arthrodesis |
| -drome | run, running | syndrome |
| SUFFIX | MEANING | EXAMPLE OF USE IN MEDICAL TERMS |
|---|
| -e | noun ending, no meaning | neonate |
| -eal | pertaining to | esophageal |
| -ectasis | stretching out, dilation, expansion | bronchiectasis |
| -ectomy | excision, surgical removal, cut out | gastrectomy |
| -emesis | vomiting | hematemesis |
| -emia | in the blood | anemia |
| -esis | condition | diuresis |
| SUFFIX | MEANING | EXAMPLE OF USE IN MEDICAL TERMS |
|---|
| -gen | substance or agent that produces or causes | teratogen |
| -genic | producing, originating, causing | carcinogenic |
| -gram | the record, radiographic image | electrocardiogram |
| -graph | instrument used to record; the record | electrocardiograph |
| -graphy | process of recording, radiographic imaging | electrocardiography |
| SUFFIX | MEANING | EXAMPLE OF USE IN MEDICAL TERMS |
|---|
| -ia | condition of, diseased state, abnormal state | tachycardia |
| -iasis | condition | choledocholithiasis |
| -iatrist | specialist | psychiatrist |
| -iatry | specialty, treatment | psychiatry |
| -ic | pertaining to | cardiac |
| -ictal | seizure, attack | postictal |
| -ior | pertaining to | anterior |
| -ism | state of | hyperthyroidism |
| -itis | inflammation | colitis |
| SUFFIX | MEANING | EXAMPLE OF USE IN MEDICAL TERMS |
|---|
| -logist | specialist who studies and treats | oncologist |
| -logy | study of | cardiology |
| -lysis | separating, loosening, dissolution | thrombolysis |
| SUFFIX | MEANING | EXAMPLE OF USE IN MEDICAL TERMS |
|---|
| -malacia | softening | chondromalacia |
| -megaly | enlarged, enlargement | gastromegaly |
| -meter | instrument used to measure | thermometer |
| -metry | measuring, process of measuring | spirometry |
| SUFFIX | MEANING | EXAMPLE OF USE IN MEDICAL TERMS |
|---|
| -oid | resembling | lipoid |
| -oma | tumour, swelling | melanoma |
| -opia | vision | diplopia |
| -opsy | viewing, process of viewing | biopsy |
| -osis | abnormal condition, increased number (blood) | erythrocytosis |
| -ous | pertaining to | intravenous |
| SUFFIX | MEANING | EXAMPLE OF USE IN MEDICAL TERMS |
|---|
| -paresis | slight paralysis | hemiparesis |
| -pathy | disease | polyneuropathy |
| -penia | abnormal reduction in number | erythrocytopenia |
| -pepsia | digestion | dyspepsia |
| -pexy | surgical fixation, suspension | colpopexy |
| -phagia | swallowing, eating | dysphagia |
| -phobia | aversion, abnormal fear | photophobia |
| -physis | growth | symphysis |
| -plasia | formation, development, growth | hyperplasia |
| -plasm | growth, substance, formation | cytoplasm |
| -plasty | surgical repair | rhinoplasty |
| -plegia | paralysis | ophthalmoplegia |
| -pnea | breathing | dyspnea |
| -poiesis | formation | leukopoiesis |
| -ptosis | prolapse, drooping | nephroptosis |
| SUFFIX | MEANING | EXAMPLE OF USE IN MEDICAL TERMS |
|---|
| -rrhage | excessive bleeding | hemorrhage |
| -rrhagia | excessive bleeding, | rhinorrhagia |
| -rrhaphy | repairing, suturing | cholecystorrhaphy |
| -rrhea | discharge, flow | rhinorrhea |
| -rrhexis | rupture | amniorrhexis |
| SUFFIX | MEANING | EXAMPLE OF USE IN MEDICAL TERMS |
|---|
| -salpinx | fallopian tube, uterine tube | pyosalpinx |
| -sarcoma | malignant tumour | rhabdomyosarcoma |
| -schisis | split, fissure | cranioschisis |
| -sclerosis | hardening | arteriosclerosis |
| -scope | instrument used for visual examination | hysteroscope |
| -scopic | pertaining to visual examination | pelviscopic |
| -scopy | process of visually examining | gastroscopy |
| -spasm | sudden, involuntary contraction of muscle | vasospasm |
| -stasis | stop, control, standing | hemostasis |
| -stenosis | constriction, narrowing | ureterostenosis |
| -stomy | creation of artificial opening | nephrostomy |
| SUFFIX | MEANING | EXAMPLE OF USE IN MEDICAL TERMS |
|---|
| -thorax | chest cavity, chest | hemothorax |
| -tocia | labour, birth | dystocia |
| -tome | instrument used to cut | dermatome |
| -tomy | incision, cut into | laparotomy |
| -tripsy | surgical crushing | cholecystolithotripsy |
| -trophy | nourishment, development | hypertrophy |
| SUFFIX | MEANING | EXAMPLE OF USE IN MEDICAL TERMS |
|---|
| -um | no meaning | endocardium |
| -uria | urine, urination | nocturia |
| -us | no meaning | microcephalus |
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