Suffixes
-al or -eal | pertaining to |
-ar | pertaining to |
-ary | pertaining to |
-ic | pertaining to |
-tion or -ion or -ation | pertaining to a process or state |
-genic | caused by |
-algia | condition of pain; pain |
-asthenia | lack of strength |
-dynia | pertaining to pain |
-ectasis | expansion or dilation |
-emia | blood condition |
-emesis | vomiting |
-genesis | origin or production |
-ia | condition, disease |
-ism | condition of |
-itis | inflammation of |
-malacia | softening/weakening of |
-megaly | enlargement |
-oid | resembling |
-oma | tumor, mass |
-osis | condition, abnormal condition of |
-pathy | disease condition |
-penia | lack of; abnormal reduction |
-phobia | extreme sensitivity to, irrational fear of |
-plegia | paralysis |
-rrhea | flow, discharge |
-rrhage or -rrhagia | bursting forth of blood |
-sclerosis | hardening |
-spasm | an involuntary muscular contraction |
-stenosis | constricting or narrowing of an anatomical passage |
-uria | condition of urine |
Procedural Suffixes:
These endings to words describe medical procedures.
Suffix | Meaning |
-centesis | surgical puncture to remove fluid |
-cision | process of cutting |
-ectomy | removal, resection, excision |
-gram | record |
-graphy | process of recording |
-lysis | separation, breakdown, destruction |
-lytic | inhibition of, annihilation of, or decomposition of |
-meter | a measuring instrument |
-metry | process of obtaining measurement |
-plasty | surgical repair or correction |
-scopy | process of visual examination |
-stomy | opening |
-therapy | treatment |
-tomy | incision, to cut into |
Other Suffixes:
Suffix | Meaning |
-cyte | cell |
-ory | characteristic, purpose, or ability; or connection to a body system, organ, or disease process |
-ile | ability to do something |
-icle -ole -ula -ule | small “dimunitive“ effect |