Medical Terminology
Chapter 2: Understanding Suffixes
Learning Objectives
Define and spell the suffixes often used in medical terminology
Identify suffixes in medical terms
Use suffixes to build medical terms that pertain to medical specialties, symptoms, and diseases.
Introduction: What is a Suffix?
A word part that is attached to the end of a word root.
→ Modifies the meaning of a term
Suffixes:
-al → pertaining to
-ic → pertaining to
-itis→ inflammation
-logy → study or science of
-meter → measure, measuring instrument
-ous → pertaining to
-pathy → disease
-scope → instrument used for viewing
-scopy→ process of viewing
Example:
lapr/o = abdomen
-scopy= process of viewing
Laproscopy= procedure to view the abdomen
Suffixes: Action or State
-algia → condition of pain
-asthenia→ weakness
-atresia→ closure or absence of a normal body opening
-cele → hernia, swelling, protrusion
Example:
mening/o = membranem
-cele= hernia
meningocele= hernia of membrane
-drome→ run, running
-emesis→ vomiting
-ia→ condition of
-ism→ condition or disease
-itis → inflammation
-malacia→ softening
-oma → tumor
-opsy → view of
-osis → condition of
-oxia→ condition of oxygen
-pathy→ disease
-penia → abnormal reduction on number
-phagia→ eating or swallowing
-phasia→ formation, growth
-phil, -philia → loving, affinity for
-phobia → fear
-physis→ growth
-plasia→ formation, growth
-plegia→ paralysis
-rrhagia→ abnormal discharge
-rrhea→ discharge
-rrhexis → rupture
-sclerosis→ condition of hardening
-spasm→ sudden, involuntary muscle contraction
-stasis→ standing still