Med term CH02

Overview of the importance of suffixes in medical language.
Based on "Medical Terminology Systems, Eighth Edition" by Barbara A. Gylys and Mary Ellen Wedding.

Definition: A suffix is a word element that is placed at the end of a word.
Functions:
- Changes the meaning of a medical word.
- Denotes singular and plural forms.
- Indicates a part of speech.

Surgical Suffixes:
- Describe types of invasive procedures.
- Examples:
  - append/ectomy: surgical removal of the appendix.
  - arthr/o/centesis: surgical puncture to remove fluid from a joint.
  - lith/o/tripsy: procedure to crush stones.
Diagnostic and Pathological Suffixes:
- Diagnostic Suffixes: Relate to procedures/tests to identify illnesses.
- Examples:
  - electr/o/cardio/gram (ECG): record of heart's electrical activity.
  - gastr/o/scopy: visual examination of the stomach.
  - encephal/o/graphy: imaging of the brain.
- Pathological Suffixes: Describe disease or abnormal condition.
- Examples:
  - neur/algia: nerve pain.
  - gastr/itis: inflammation of the stomach.
  - hem/o/rrhage: bleeding.
Grammatical Suffixes:
- Form parts of speech like adjectives and nouns.
- Examples:
  - gastr/ic: pertaining to the stomach (adjective).
  - obstetr/ician: specialist in obstetrics (noun).
Diminutive Suffixes:
- Denote smaller versions.
- Examples:
  - tub/ule: a small tube.
  - arteri/ole: a small artery.

Word Roots and Combining Forms:
- A word root links to a suffix starting with a vowel. Example: gastr/itis.
- A combining form links to a suffix that begins with a consonant. Example: gastr/o/scopy.

Transformation of words from singular to plural:
- diagnosis changes to diagnoses.
- bronchus changes to bronchi.
- deformity becomes deformities.