anatomy 2C: dk 4

Suffixes

What is a suffix?

A word element placed at the end of a medical term that modifies its meaning, often describing a condition, structure, or characteristic.

What does the suffix -ac mean?

Pertaining to

Example of -ac?

Cardiac = Heart + Pertaining to.

What does the suffix -al mean?

Pertaining to.

Example of -al?

antebrachial = In front of + Arm + Pertaining to.

What does the suffix -ary mean?

Pertaining to.

Example of -ary?

Pulmonary = Lung + Pertaining to.

What does the suffix -eal mean?

Pertaining to.

Example of -eal?

Esophageal = Esophagus + Pertaining to.

What does the suffix -ic mean?

Pertaining to.

Example of -ic?

Gastric = Stomach + Pertaining to.

What does the suffix -ical mean?

Pertaining to.

Example of -ical?

Neurological = Nerves + Pertaining to.

What does the suffix -ory mean?

Pertaining to.

Example of -ory?

Auditory = Hearing + Pertaining to.

What does the suffix -ous mean?

Pertaining to.

Example of -ous?

Venous = Vein + Pertaining to.

What does the suffix -genic mean?

Originating from; produced in/from.

Example of -genic?

Hepatogenic = Originating from the liver.

What does the suffix -iole mean?

small

Example of -iole?

Arteriole = Small artery.

What does the suffix -itis mean?

inflammation

Example of -itis?

Gastritis = Inflammation of the stomach.

What does the suffix -megaly mean?

Enlargement.

Example of -megaly?

Hepatomegaly = Enlargement of the liver.

What does the suffix -oma mean?

tumor

Example of -oma?

Lipoma = Fat tumor.

What does the suffix -osis mean?

condition

Example of -osis?

Cyanosis = Blue condition.

What does the suffix -penia mean?

Decrease in.

Example of -penia?

Osteopenia = Decrease in bone.

What does the suffix -ule mean?

small

Example of -ule?

Venule = Small vein.

Compare -itis, -megaly, and -oma.

• -itis = Inflammation

• -megaly = Enlargement

• -oma = Tumor

Compare -iole and -ule.

• -iole = Small

• -ule = Small

Compare -genic and -osis.

• -genic = Originating from

• -osis = Condition

Compare -penia and -megaly.

• -penia = Decrease in

• -megaly = Enlargement

Break down "Cardiac."

Cardi(o) + -ac = Heart + Pertaining to.

Break down "Pulmonary."

Pulm(o) + -ary = Lung + Pertaining to.

Break down "Gastric."

Gastr(o) + -ic = Stomach + Pertaining to.

Break down "Neurological."

Neur(o) + -ical = Nerve + Pertaining to.

Break down "Venous."

Ven + -ous = Vein + Pertaining to.

Break down "Hepatogenic."

Hepat(o) + -genic = Liver + Originating from.

Break down "Arteriole."

Artery + -iole = Small artery.

Break down "Gastritis."

Gastr(o) + -itis = Stomach + Inflammation.

Break down "Hepatomegaly."

Hepat(o) + -megaly = Liver + Enlargement.

Break down "Lipoma."

Lip(o) + -oma = Fat + Tumor.

Break down "Cyanosis."

Cyan(o) + -osis = Blue + Condition.

Break down "Osteopenia."

Oste(o) + -penia = Bone + Decrease in.

Break down "Venule."

Ven + -ule = Small vein.

Which suffix means inflammation?

-itis

Which suffix means enlargement?

-megaly

Which suffix means tumor?

-oma

Which suffix means decrease in?

-penia

Which suffix means originating from?

-genic

Which suffix means condition?

-osis

Which suffixes mean "small"?

-iole and -ule

Which group of suffixes all mean "pertaining to"?

-ac, -al, -ary, -eal, -ic, -ical, -ory, and -ous