Common Suffixes In Medical Terminology

Question 1

Suffix

Answer 1

Used at the end of a word to give meaning into explain a condition, disease or procedure

Question 2

-algia

Answer 2

Means pain

Ex: gastralgia (stomach pain)

Question 3

-cele

Answer 3

Means hernia or protrusion

Ex: cystocele (protrusion of bladder)

Question 4

-cise

Answer 4

Means cut

Ex: excise (to cut out)

Question 5

-cyte

Answer 5

Means cell

Ex: erythrocyte (red cell)

Question 6

-dynia

Answer 6

Means pain

Ex: cardiodynia (means heart pain)

Question 7

-ectasis

Answer 7

Means dilation

Ex: bronchiectasis (dilated bronchi)

Question 8

-gen

Answer 8

Means that which produces

Ex: mutagen (produces mutations)

Question 9

-genesis

Answer 9

Means produces or generates

Ex: osteogenesis

Question 10

-genic

Answer 10

Means produces or produced by

Ex: carcinogenic (producing cancer)

Question 11

-ia

Answer 11

Means state or condition

Ex: hemiplegia (being half paralyzed)

Question 12

-iasis

Answer 12

Means abnormal condition

Ex: lithiasis (abnormal condition of stones)

Question 13

-ism

Answer 13

Means state of

Ex: hypothyroidism (state of low thyroid)

Question 14

-itis

Answer 14

Means inflammation

Ex: cellulitis (inflammation of cells)

Question 15

-logist

Answer 15

Means one who studies

Ex: cardiologist (one who studies the heart)

Question 16

-logy

Answer 16

Means study of

Ex: cardiology (study of the heart)

Question 17

-lysis

Answer 17

Means destruction

Ex: osteolysis (bone destruction)

Question 18

-malacia

Answer 18

Means abnormal softening

Ex: chondromalacia (abnormal cartilage softening)

Question 19

-megaly

Answer 19

Means enlargement or large

Ex: cardiomegaly (enlarged heart)

Question 20

-oma

Answer 20

Means tumor or mass

Ex: carcinoma (cancerous tumor)

Question 21

-osis

Answer 21

Means abnormal condition

Ex: cyanosis (means abnormal condition of being blue)

Question 22

-pathy

Answer 22

Means disease

Ex: myopathy (muscle disease)

Question 23

-plasia

Answer 23

Means development or growth

Ex: dysplasia (abnormal development)

Question 24

-plasm

Answer 24

Means formation or development

Ex: neoplasm (new formation)

Question 25

-ptosis

Answer 25

Means drooping Ex: proctoptsis (drooping rectum)

Question 26

-rrhage

Answer 26

Means excessive or abnormal flow Ex: hemorrhage (excessive bleeding)

Question 27

-rrhea

Answer 27

means discharge or flow Ex: rhinorrhea (discharge from the nose)

Question 28

-rrexis

Answer 28

Means rupture Ex: hysterorrexis (ruptured uterus)

Question 29

-sclerosis

Answer 29

Means hardening Ex: arteriosclerosis (hardening of an artery)

Question 30

-stenosis

Answer 30

Means narrowing Ex: angiostenosis (narrowing of the vessel)

Question 31

-therapy

Answer 31

Means treatment Ex: chemotherapy (treatment with chemicals)

Question 32

-trophy

Answer 32

Means nourishment or development Ex: hypertrophy (excessive development)

Question 33

-ac

Answer 33

Pertaining to

Question 34

-al

Answer 34

Pertaining to

Question 35

-ase

Answer 35

Enzyme

Question 36

-cide

Answer 36

kill/killer

Question 37

-dipsia

Answer 37

Thirst

Question 38

-ectomy

Answer 38

Surgical removal

Question 39

-emia

Answer 39

Blood condition

Question 40

-ic

Answer 40

Pertaining to

Question 41

-oid

Answer 41

Resembling

Question 42

-plasty

Answer 42

Surgical repair

Question 43

-scope

Answer 43

Instrument

Question 44

-scopy

Answer 44

Viewing of

Question 45

-stasis

Answer 45

Control

Question 46

-uvia

Answer 46

Urine