Suffixes are word parts that are located at the end of words. Suffixes can alter the meaning of medical terms. It is important to spell and pronounce suffixes correctly.
Many suffixes in medical terms are common English-language suffixes. Suffixes are not always explicitly stated in the definition of a word. It is common that suffixes will not be explicitly stated when defining a medical term in the workplace. However, when transcribing or reading medical reports, the suffix is always clearly written. In order to properly spell and pronounce medical terms, it is helpful to learn the suffixes.
We will be seeing these suffixes mentioned again in this book, but they are presented here as a reference.
| SUFFIX | MEANING | EXAMPLE OF USE IN MEDICAL TERMS |
|---|---|---|
| -a | noun ending, no meaning | leukoderma |
| -ac | pertaining to | cardiac |
| -ad | toward | dorsad |
| -algia | pain | myalgia |
| -amnios | amnion, amniotic fluid | oligohydramnios |
| -apheresis | removal | plasmapheresis |
| -ar | pertaining to | appendicular |
| -ary | pertaining to | coronary |
| -asthenia | weakness | myasthenia gravis |
| -carcinoma | cancerous tumor | adenocarcinoma |
| -cele | hernia, protrusion, swelling | hydrocele |
| -centesis | surgical puncture to aspirate fluid | amniocentesis |
| -crine | to secrete | exocrine |
| -cyesis | pregnancy | pseudocyesis |
| -cyte | cell | leukocyte |
| -desis | surgical fixation, fusion | arthrodesis |
| -drome | run, running | syndrome |
| -e | noun ending, no meaning | neonate |
| -eal | pertaining to | esophageal |
| -ectasis | stretching out, dilation, expansion | bronchiectasis |
| -ectomy | excision, surgical removal, cut out | gastrectomy |
| -emesis | vomiting | hematemesis |
| -emia | in the blood | anemia |
| -esis | condition | diuresis |
| -gen | substance or agent that produces or causes | teratogen |
| -genic | producing, originating, causing | carcinogenic |
| -gram | the record, radiographic image | electrocardiogram |
| -graph | instrument used to record; the record | electrocardiograph |
| -graphy | process of recording, radiographic imaging | electrocardiography |
| -ia | condition of, diseased state, abnormal state | tachycardia |
| -iasis | condition | choledocholithiasis |
| -iatrist | specialist | psychiatrist |
| -iatry | specialty, treatment | psychiatry |
| -ic | pertaining to | cardiac |
| -ictal | seizure, attack | postictal |
| -ior | pertaining to | anterior |
| -ism | state of | hyperthyroidism |
| -itis | inflammation | colitis |
| -logist | specialist who studies and treats | oncologist |
| -logy | study of | cardiology |
| -lysis | separating, loosening, dissolution | thrombolysis |
| -malacia | softening | chondromalacia |
| -megaly | enlarged, enlargement | gastromegaly |
| -meter | instrument used to measure | thermometer |
| -metry | measuring, process of measuring | spirometry |
| -oid | resembling | lipoid |
| -oma | tumor, swelling | melanoma |
| -opia | vision | diplopia |
| -opsy | viewing, process of viewing | biopsy |
| -osis | abnormal condition, increased number (blood) | erythrocytosis |
| -ous | pertaining to | intravenous |
| -paresis | slight paralysis | hemiparesis |
| -pathy | disease | polyneuropathy |
| -penia | abnormal reduction in number | erythrocytopenia |
| -pepsia | digestion | dyspepsia |
| -pexy | surgical fixation, suspension | colpopexy |
| -phagia | swallowing, eating | dysphagia |
| -phobia | aversion, abnormal fear | photophobia |
| -physis | growth | symphysis |
| -plasia | formation, development, growth | hyperplasia |
| -plasm | growth, substance, formation | cytoplasm |
| -plasty | surgical repair | rhinoplasty |
| -plegia | paralysis | ophthalmoplegia |
| -pnea | breathing | dyspnea |
| -poiesis | formation | leukopoiesis |
| -ptosis | prolapse, drooping | nephroptosis |
| -rrhage | excessive bleeding | hemorrhage |
| -rrhagia | condition of excessive bleeding | rhinorrhagia |
| -rrhaphy | repairing, suturing | cholecystorrhaphy |
| -rrhea | discharge, flow | rhinorrhea |
| -rrhexis | rupture | amniorrhexis |
| -salpinx | fallopian tube, uterine tube | pyosalpinx |
| -sarcoma | malignant tumor | rhabdomyosarcoma |
| -schisis | split, fissure | cranioschisis |
| -sclerosis | hardening | arteriosclerosis |
| -scope | instrument used for visual examination | hysteroscope |
| -scopic | pertaining to visual examination | pelviscopic |
| -scopy | process of visually examining | gastroscopy |
| -spasm | sudden, involuntary contraction of muscle | vasospasm |
| -stasis | stop, control, standing | hemostasis |
| -stenosis | constriction, narrowing | ureterostenosis |
| -stomy | creation of artificial opening | nephrostomy |
| -thorax | chest cavity, chest | hemothorax |
| -tocia | labor, birth | dystocia |
| -tome | instrument used to cut | dermatome |
| -tomy | incision, cut into | laparotomy |
| -tripsy | surgical crushing | cholecystolithotripsy |
| -trophy | nourishment, development | hypertrophy |
| -um | no meaning | endocardium |
| -uria | urine, urination | nocturia |
| -us | no meaning | microcephalus |
Medical Terminology: An Interactive Approach Copyright © 2022 by LOUIS: The Louisiana Library Network is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License, except where otherwise noted.