Medical Terminology and Suffixes #1

Suffix: centesis

Example word: arthrocentesis

surgical puncture; a medical procedure where a needle and syringe is used to withdraw excess fluid from a joint space

Suffix: clasis

Example word: osteoclasis

to break, surgical fracture; the intentional, surgical breaking of a bone to fix a deformity or improper alignment

Suffix: desis

Example word: arthrodesis

binding, fixation (of a bone or joint); a surgical procedure that permanently joins two or more bones together (also known as joint fusion)

Suffix: ectomy

Example word: appendectomy

excision, removal; a surgical operation to remove the appendix

Suffix: lysis

Example word: cytolysis

seperation, destruction, loosening; the bursting or breakdown of a cell caused by the damage or rupture of its outer cell membrane

Suffix: plasty

Example word: tendoplasty

surgical repair; a surgical operation to repair or reconstruct a damaged or torn tendon

Suffix: rrhaphy

Example word: myorrhaphy

suture (medical stitch); the surgical suturing or stitching of a muscle

Suffix: stomy

Example word: tracheostomy

forming an opening (mouth); a surgical opening made through the front of the neck and into the windpipe to provide an alternative airway for breathing.

Suffix: tome

Example word: osteotome

instrument used to cut; a surgical instrument used to cut bone

Suffix: tomy

Example word: tracheotomy

incision; the surgical procedure used to cut into the windpipe

Suffix: tripsy

Example word: lithotripsy

crushing; medical procedure that uses shock waves or lasers to break stones in the kidney, ureter, or gallbladder into tiny pieces so they can easily pass out of the body

Suffix: gram

Example word: electrocardiogram

record, writing; medical test that reads and records your heart’s natural electrical impulses

Suffix: graph

Example word: cardiograph

instrument for recording; instrument used to record the movements, mechanical force, or electrical activity of the heart

Suffix: graphy

Example word: angiography

process of recording; an x-ray test that takes pictures of blood vessels

Suffix: meter

Example word: pelvimeter

instrument for measuring; instrument used to measure the size, shape, and internal dimensions of the pelvis

Suffix: metry

Example word: pelvimetry

act of measuring; the medical procedure of measuring the pelvis

Suffix: scope

Example word: endoscope

instrument for examining; an instrument used to look inside the body

Suffix: scopy

Example word: endoscopy

visual examination; medical procedure that uses a lighted tube with a camera to examine the inside of your body

Suffix: algia, dynia

Example word: neuralgia

pain; pain that follows the path of a damaged or irritated nerve

Suffix: cele

Example word: hepatocele

hernia, swelling; a hernia of the liver (a portion of the liver protrudes through a weak spot in the abdominal wall or diaphragm)

Suffix: ectasis

Example word: bronchiectasis

dilation, expansion; condition where the airways become permanently damaged and widened

Suffix: edema

Example word: lymphedema

swelling; a condition where lymph fluid builds up in tissues, causing swelling

Suffix: emesis

Example word: hyperemesis

vomiting; condition involving relentless nausea and vomiting during pregnancy

Suffix: emia

Example word: anemia

blood condition; condition where blood lacks enough healthy red blood cells or hemoglobin to carry adequate oxygen to tissues

Suffix: gen, genesis

Example word: carcinogen

forming, producing, origin; any substance, organism, or agent that can cause cancer

Suffix: iasis

Example word: cholelithiasis

abnormal condition; having gallstones (hardened deposits of digestive fluid that form inside the gallbladder)

Suffix: itis

Example word: gastritis

inflammation; the inflammation of the protective lining of the stomach

Suffix: lith

Example word: cholelith

stone; gallstone

Suffix: malacia

Example word: chondromalacia

softening; the softening and breakdown of the protective cartilage on the undersurface of bones inside a joint

Suffix: megaly

Example word: cardiomegaly

enlargement; an enlarged heart

Suffix: oma

Example word: neuroma

tumor; non-cancerous thickening or enlargement of nerve tissue that typically develops due to stress, irritation, or injury

Suffix: osis

Example word: cyanosis

abnormal condition, increase (blood cells); a bluish or purplish tint to the skin, lips, gums, or nail beds caused by a lack of oxygen in the blood

Suffix: pathy

Example word: myopathy

disease; any disease that affects the skeletal muscles

Suffix: penia

Example word: erythropenia

decrease, deficiency; a deficiency of red blood cells

Suffix: phagia

Example word: dysphagia

eating, swallowing; persistent difficulty or discomfort when swallowing food, liquid, or saliva

Suffix: phasia

Example word: aphasia

speech; a language disorder caused by damage to the parts of the brain that control speech and language comprehension

Suffix: phobia

Example word: hemophobia

fear; extreme and irrational fear of blood

Suffix: plasia, plasm

Example word: dysplasia

formation, growth; the abnormal growth, development, or appearance of cells, tissues, or organs

Suffix: plegia

Example word: hemiplegia

paralysis; condition that causes complete or severe paralysis on one side of the body

Suffix: ptosis

Example word: blepharoptosis

prolapse, downward displacement; condition where the upper eyelid drops lower than normal

Suffix: rrhage, rrhagia

Example word: hemorrhage

bursting forth; heavy or uncontrolled loss of blood from damaged blood vessels

Suffix: rrhea

Example word: diarrhea

discharge, flow; passing loose, watery bowel movements

Suffix: rrhexis

Example word: arteriorrhexis

rupture; the rupture of an artery

Suffix: sclerosis

Example word: arteriosclerosis

abnormal condition of hardening; the gradual buildup of sticky plaque inside the walls of your arteries

Suffix: spasm

Example word: blepharospasm

involuntary contradiction, twitching; a disorder that causes uncontrollable blinking, twitching, or forceful closing of the eyelids

Suffix: stenosis

Example word: arteriostenosis

narrowing, stricture; the narrowing or constriction of the lumen (inner channel) of an artery

Suffix: toxic

Example word: hepatotoxic

poison; toxic or damaging to the liver

Suffix: trophy

Example word: dystrophy

nourishment, development; any condition where a body part, tissue, or cell group gradually weakens, wastes away, or functions improperly due to a genetic or metabolic defect