1.4 – Suffix
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.
Suffixes in medical terms are common to 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.
| Suffix | Meaning | Example of use in medical terms |
|---|---|---|
| -a | noun ending, no meaning | leukoderma |
| -ac | pertaining to | cardiac |
| -ad | toward | dorsad |
| -al | pertaining to | lateral |
| -algia | condition of pain | myalgia |
| -amnios | amnion, amniotic fluid | oligohydramnios |
| -apheresis | separate | plasmapheresis |
| -ar | pertaining to | appendicular |
| -ary | pertaining to | coronary |
| – asthenia | weakness | Myasthenia gravis |
| Suffix | Meaning | Example of use in medical terms |
|---|---|---|
| -carcinoma | cancerous tumour | adenocarcinoma |
| -cele | hernia, protrusion, swelling | hydrocele |
| -centesis | surgical puncture to aspirate fluid | amniocentesis |
| -crine | to secrete | exocrine |
| -cyesis | pregnancy | pseudocyesis |
| -cyte | cell | leukocyte |
| Suffix | Meaning | Example of use in medical terms |
|---|---|---|
| -desis | surgical fixation, fusion | arthrodesis |
| -drome | run, running | syndrome |
| Suffix | Meaning | Example of use in medical terms |
|---|---|---|
| -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 |
| -sis | condition | diuresis |
| Suffix | Meaning | Example of use in medical terms |
|---|---|---|
| -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 |
| Suffix | Meaning | Example of use in medical terms |
|---|---|---|
| -ia | condition of, diseased state, abnormal state | tachycardia |
| -iasis | condition | choledocholithiasis |
| -iatrist | specialist | psychiatrist |
| -iatry | specialty, treatment | psychiatry |
| -ic | pertaining to | toxic |
| -ictal | seizure, attack | postictal |
| -ior | pertaining to | anterior |
| -ism | state of | hyperthyroidism |
| -itis | inflammation | colitis |
| Suffix | Meaning | Example of use in medical terms |
|---|---|---|
| -logist | specialist who studies and treats | oncologist |
| -logy | study of | cardiology |
| -lysis | separating, loosening, dissolution | thrombolysis |
| Suffix | Meaning | Example of use in medical terms |
|---|---|---|
| -malacia | softening | chondromalacia |
| -megaly | enlarged, enlargement | gastromegaly |
| -meter | instrument used to measure | thermometer |
| -metry | measuring, process of measuring | spirometry |
| Suffix | Meaning | Example of use in medical terms |
|---|---|---|
| -oid | resembling | lipoid |
| -oma | tumour, swelling | melanoma |
| -opia | vision | diplopia |
| -opsy | viewing, process of viewing | biopsy |
| -sis | abnormal condition, increased number (blood) | erythrocytosis |
| -ous | pertaining to | intravenous |
| Suffix | Meaning | Example of use in medical terms |
|---|---|---|
| -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 |
| Suffix | Meaning | Example of use in medical terms |
|---|---|---|
| -rrhage | excessive bleeding | hemorrhage |
| -rrhagia | excessive bleeding, | rhinorrhagia |
| -rrhaphy | repairing, suturing | cholecystorrhaphy |
| -rrhea | discharge, flow | rhinorrhea |
| -rrhexis | rupture | amniorrhexis |
| Suffix | Meaning | Example of use in medical terms |
|---|---|---|
| -salpinx | fallopian tube, uterine tube | pyosalpinx |
| -sarcoma | malignant tumour in connective tissue | rhabdomyosarcoma |
| -schisis | split, fissure | cranioschisis |
| -sclerosis | condition of 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 | condition of stop, control, standing | hemostasis |
| -stenosis | constriction, condition of narrowing | ureterostenosis |
| -stomy | creation of artificial opening | nephrostomy |
| Suffix | Meaning | Example of use in medical terms |
|---|---|---|
| -thorax | chest cavity, chest | hemothorax |
| -tocia | condition of labour, birth | dystocia |
| -tome | instrument used to cut | dermatome |
| -tomy | incision, cut into | laparotomy |
| -tripsy | surgical crushing | cholecystolithotripsy |
| -trophy | nourishment, development | hypertrophy |
| Suffix | Meaning | Example of use in medical terms |
|---|---|---|
| -um | structure | endocardium |
| -uria | urine, urination | nocturia |
| -us | no meaning | microcephalus |
Attribution
Except where otherwise noted, this chapter is adapted from “Suffix” in Building a Medical Terminology Foundation by Kimberlee Carter and Marie Rutherford, licensed under CC BY 4.0. / A derivative of Betts et al., which can be accessed for free from Anatomy and Physiology (OpenStax).
A word part added to the end of a word that changes the meaning of the word root.
white skin
pertaining to the heart
toward the back
pertaining to the side
pain in the muscles
less then expected (amount) of amnion fluid
Process that removes antibodies from the plasma portion of blood
Pertaining to appendages
pertaining to the arteries that supply the heart
grave or serious muscle weakness
Cancer that starts in the mucous glands
swelling of the scrotum cause by fluid collection in the sheath surrounding the testicle
surgical puncture (using a needle) to remove amniotic fluid for sampling.
to secrete externally, directly or through a duct
false pregnancy (patient has signs and symptoms of pregnancy but is not pregnant)
White blood cell(s)
surgical fusion of a joint through ossification of bones
A group of symptoms that occur (run together) that are associated with a specific disease or pathology.
new birth/ newborn - birth to four weeks.
Pertaining to the esophagus
Walls of the bronchi are thickened out (expanded) with inflammation and infection because cilli can no longer sweep out debris leading to dyspnea.
surgical removal of (part or all of) the stomach.
The vomiting of blood
Lack of (without) sufficeint healthy red blood cells in the blood
Condition of increased production of urine
Substance or agent that produces or causes malformations
causing cancer
radiographic image of electrical activity in the heart
instrument used to record electrical activity within the heart
process of recording electrical activity of the heart
condition of a fast heart (rate)
Condition of stones in the common bile duct
Specialist who studies the mind
Specialty of the mind
After a seizure
pertaining to the front
state of excessive production of thyroid hormone
inflammation of the colon
Specialist who studies and treats cancer
Study of the heart
dissolution of a blood clot
softening of cartilage
enlarged stomach
instrument used to measure temperature
Process of measuring the function of the lungs by measuring inhalation and exhalation of breath
resembling fat
tumour that develops in the melanocytes
double vision
process of viewing living tissue to examine for presence, cause or extend of disease
abnormal condition of excessive production of red blood cells
pertaining to within the vein
slight paralysis of one side of the body (right or left)
disease of many nerves
abnormal reduction in number of (healthy) red blood cells produced
difficult digestion
surgical fixation of they vagina by suturing it to the abdominal wall
difficulty swallowing
Aversion or sensitivity to light
growing together
excessive development or growth
substance that composes cells
surgical repair of the nasal cavity
paralysis of eye muscle(s)
difficult breathing
formation of white blood cells
prolapsed kidney
excessive or uncontrolled bleeding from the blood vessels
Excessive bleeding from the nasal cavity (nose bleed) also called epistaxis
suturing of the gall bladder for repair
excessive flow or discharge from the nasal cavity (runny nose)
Rupture of the amniotic sac
Fallopian tube fills with pus
malignant cancer of the skeletal muscles
Congenital fissure of the skull. The bones of the skull fail to close.
hardening of arteries
instrument used to visualize the uterus
visual examination of the pelvis
process of viewing the stomach
blood vessels contract involuntarily (vasoconstriction) resulting in restricted blood flow
the process by which the body seals a ruptured blood vessel to prevent further blood loss
constriction or narrowing of the ureter
creation of artificial opening between the kidney and the skin
blood in the chest cavity
difficult birth
instrument used to cut skin
incision into the abdominal cavity
surgical crushing of stones in the common bile duct
excessive development; increase in the size of cells but not the number of cells
innermost layer of the heart
Urinating at night (usually excessive)
small head