Medical Terminology: Chapter 2 Suffixes

Overview of Suffixes

• Definition: A word element placed at the end of a word that changes its meaning.

• Functions:

  • Used to denote singular and plural forms.

  • Used to denote a part of speech (grammatical).

  • Indicates procedures, conditions, or diseases.

Rules for Linking Suffixes

• Word Root (WR): Links directly to a suffix that begins with a vowel (e.g., $gastr/itis$).

• Combining Form (CF): Links to a suffix that begins with a consonant (e.g., $gastr/o/scopy$).

Surgical Suffixes

These suffixes describe invasive procedures performed on body parts:

• -ectomy: Excision, removal.

• -centesis: Surgical puncture.

• -tripsy: Crushing.

• -lysis: Separation; destruction; loosening.

• -clasis: To break; surgical fracture.

• -pexy: Fixation (of an organ).

• -rrhaphy: Suture.

• -plasty: Surgical repair.

• -stomy: Forming an opening (mouth).

• -desis: Binding, fixation (of a bone or joint).

• -tome: Instrument to cut.

• -tomy: Incision.

Diagnostic and Pathological Suffixes

Diagnostic Suffixes

Used to identify the cause and nature of an illness:

• -scope: Instrument for examining.

• -scopy: Visual examination.

• -graph: Instrument for recording.

• -graphy: Process of recording.

• -meter: Instrument for measuring.

• -metry: Act of measuring.

• -gram: Record, writing.

Pathological Suffixes

Describe abnormal conditions or diseases:

• -algia, -dynia: Pain.

• -plasia, -plasm: Formation, growth.

• -gen, -genesis: Forming, producing, origin.

• -rrhage, -rrhagia: Bursting forth (of).

• -edema: Swelling.

• -cele: Hernia, swelling.

• -lith: Stone, calculus.

• -osis: Abnormal condition; increase (primarily blood cells).

• -spasm: Involuntary contraction, twitching.

• -stenosis: Narrowing, stricture.

• -rrhea: Discharge, flow.

• -pathy: Disease.

• -itis: Inflammation.

• -oma: Tumor.

• -rrhexis: Rupture.

• -plegia: Paralysis.

• -ectasis: Dilation, expansion.

• -emesis: Vomiting.

• -emia: Blood condition.

• -iasis: Abnormal condition (produced by something specified).

• -malacia: Softening.

Grammatical and Diminutive Suffixes

Grammatical Suffixes

Used to form parts of speech:

• Adjective Suffixes (-ac, -al, -ar, -ary, -ic, -ile, -ous): Mean "pertaining to."

• Noun Suffixes (-esis, -ia, -ism): Mean "condition."

• Noun Suffixes (-ician, -ist): Mean "specialist."

• Noun Suffix (-iatry): Means "medicine; treatment."

Diminutive Suffixes

Denote a smaller version of a word:

• -icle, -ole, -ule: Mean "small, minute."

Singular and Plural Suffixes

Suffixes change when a word is modified from a singular to a plural form:

• -us to -i: Example: $thrombus$ to $thrombi$; $fungus$ to $fungi$.

• -um to -a: Example: $ovum$ to $ova$.

• -is to -es: Example: $diagnosis$ to $diagnoses$.

• -ity to -ities: Example: $deformity$ to $deformities$.