1.5: Common Suffixes
The suffix is at the end of the word and adds meaning. When building a definition of a medical term from its components, start with the meaning of the suffix. For example, hepat/ itis is defined as “inflammation of the liver.”
Suffixes often indicate:
- Procedures: For example, -scopy means “visual examination”
- Conditions: For example, -itis means “inflammation”
- Diseases: For example, -oma means “tumor”
Common Suffixes
Here is a list of commonly used suffixes in medical terms. It is helpful to memorize these common suffixes as you build your knowledge of medical terminology.
- -ac : Pertaining to
- -ad : Toward
- -al : Pertaining to
- -algia, -dynia : Pain
- -ar : Pertaining to
- -ary : Pertaining to
- -cele : Protrusion
- -centesis : Surgical withdrawal of fluid
- -cide, -cidal : Kill, destroy
- -coccus : Berry shaped
- -cyte : Cell
- -eal : Pertaining to
- -ectomy : Surgical removal
- -emia : Pertaining to blood
- -esis : Condition
- -gen : Substance that produces/causes
- -genic : Produced by
- -gram : Record of
- -graph : Instrument used to record
- -graphy : A process of recording
- -ia : Condition of, diseased state, abnormal state
- -ic, -ior : Pertaining to
- -ism : State of, condition, theory
- -itis : Inflammation
- -logist : Specialist who studies and treats disorders
- -logy : Study of
- -lysis : Destruction, breakdown
- -megaly : Enlargement
- -meter : Instrument used to measure
- -metry : Process of measuring
- -oid : Resembling
- -oma : Tumor
- -opia : Vision condition
- -opsy : To view
- -osis : Abnormal condition
- -ous : Pertaining to
- -pathy : Disease, abnormality
- -penia : Lack of, deficiency
- -pexy : Surgical fixation, suspension
- -phagia : Eating
- -phobia : Intense fear of
- -plasia : Formation, development
- -plasm : Growth, substance, formation
- -plasty : Surgical reconstruction
- -plegia : Paralysis
- -pnea : Breathing
- -poiesis, -poietic : Production, manufacture of
- -ptosis : Drooping
- -rrhage : Excessive flow
- – rrhagia : Excessive flow
- -rrhaphy : Suturing in place, fixation
- -rrhea : Flow, discharge
- -rrhexis : Rupture or breaking away
- -sclerosis : Hardening
- -scope : Instrument used to visually examine
- -scopic : Visual examination
- -scopy : Process of visual examination
- -spasm : Sudden, involuntary
- -stasis : To stop
- -stomy : Artificial surgical opening
- -tome : Instrument used to cut
- -tomy : Process of incision, cutting into
- -tripsy : Crushing
- -trophic, -trophy : Growth, development
Note there are several suffixes that mean “pertaining to,” such as -ac, -al, -ar, -ary, -eal, -ic, -ior, and -ous.
Examples of Common Suffixes in Medical Terms
- Arachno phobia : Fear of spiders
- Amnio centesis : Procedure to withdraw fluid from the amniotic sac
- An emia : Low levels of hemoglobin in the blood
- Cardio megaly : Enlargement of the heart
- Colono scopy : Procedure that visually examines the colon
- Dys pnea : Difficulty breathing
- Hemi plegia : Paralysis of one side of the body
- Mammo graphy : Radiological process of examining the breast tissue
- My algia : Muscle pain
Additional suffixes will be discussed in each chapter related to specific body systems.