Suffixes
Suffixes
Suffixes are the element added to the end of a word root. A suffix changes the meaning of the word root or makes the meaning more specific. The suffix typically indicates a procedure, condition, or disease.
Common Medical Suffixes
Suffix | Meaning | Suffix | Meaning |
-ac; -al | Pertaining to | -pathy | Disease |
-algia | Pain | -penia | Deficiency |
-blast | Immature cell | -plegia | Paralysis; stroke |
-centesis | Puncture; aspiration of | -pnea | Breathing |
-cyte | Cell | -poiesis | Formation |
-ectomy | Excision; removal | -rhea; -rrhea | Flow |
-emia | Blood condition | -scope | Viewing; instrument for viewing |
-ia | State or condition | -scopy | To view; examination of |
-oma | Tumor | -spasm | Twitch; involuntary muscle movement |
-osis | Condition; abnormal process | -tomy | Cutting; incision |
-ous | Pertaining to | -us | Pertaining to |