Medical Suffix

Question 1

What does the suffix ‘ac’ mean?

Answer 1

One afflicted with

Example: Coeliac - an autoimmune disease where the immune system reacts abnormally to gluten.

Question 2

What does the suffix ‘al’ signify?

Answer 2

Pertaining to

Example: Femoral - a large artery in the thigh.

Question 3

What is the meaning of the suffix ‘ary’?

Answer 3

Pertaining to

Example: Coronary - relating to the arteries that supply the heart.

Question 4

What does the suffix ‘ation’ indicate?

Answer 4

Process

Example: Lactation - the process of producing breast milk.

Question 5

What does the suffix ‘cele’ refer to?

Answer 5

Pouching

Example: Hydrocele - fluid collects in the sheath surrounding a testicle.

Question 6

What is the meaning of the suffix ‘cidal’ or ‘cide’?

Answer 6

Killing, destroying

Example: Bactericide - a substance that kills bacteria.

Question 7

What does the suffix ‘dynia’ mean?

Answer 7

Pain

Example: Vulvodynia - pain and discomfort in the vulva.

Question 8

What does the suffix ‘ectomy’ signify?

Answer 8

Removal of a body part

Example: Tonsillectomy - surgical removal of the tonsils.

Question 9

What does ‘emia’ refer to?

Answer 9

Blood condition

Example: Anaemia - lack of healthy red blood cells.

Question 10

What does the suffix ‘gen’ mean?

Answer 10

Born in, from, of a certain kind

Example: Antigen - potential to cause cancer.

Question 11

What does the suffix ‘gnosis’ indicate?

Answer 11

Knowledge

Example: Diagnosis - identifying a disease from its signs and symptoms.

Question 12

What does the suffix ‘gram’ signify?

Answer 12

Record, picture

Example: Angiogram - an X-ray of the blood vessels.

Question 13

What is the meaning of ‘graph’?

Answer 13

Instrument to record data or picture

Example: Electrocardiograph - a machine used for electrocardiography.

Question 14

What does the suffix ‘iasis’ refer to?

Answer 14

Condition, formation or presence of

Example: Mydriasis - unusual dilation of the pupils.

Question 15

What does ‘iatry’ mean?

Answer 15

Field of medicine emphasising a certain body component

Example: Podiatry - treatment of the feet.

Question 16

What does the suffix ‘ic’ signify?

Answer 16

Pertaining to

Example: Ileocolic - concerns the gastrointestinal tract from the ileum to the colon.

Question 17

What does the suffix ‘ion’ indicate?

Answer 17

Condition of, process of, action

Example: Hypertension - exhibiting high blood pressure.

Question 18

What does the suffix ‘ism’ refer to?

Answer 18

Condition, disease

Example: Hypothyroidism - low hormone production.

Question 19

What does the suffix ‘ist’ mean?

Answer 19

One who specialises in

Example: Podiatrist - a person who treats foot ailments.

Question 20

What does ‘itis’ signify?

Answer 20

Inflammation

Example: Tonsillitis - inflammation of the tonsils.

Question 21

What does the suffix ‘ium’ refer to?

Answer 21

Structure, tissue

Example: Pericardium - membrane enclosing the heart.

Question 22

What does the suffix ‘lepsis’ mean?

Answer 22

Attack, seizure

Example: Narcolepsy - extreme tendency to fall asleep.

Question 23

What does ‘logist’ signify?

Answer 23

One who studies in a certain field, a specialist

Example: Pathologist - studies causes and effects of diseases.

Question 24

What does ‘logy’ indicate?

Answer 24

Study or practice of a certain field

Example: Oncology - study and treatment of tumours.

Question 25

What does the suffix 'lysis' refer to?

Answer 25

Destruction, separation ## Footnote Example: Paralysis - loss of ability to move.

Question 26

What does the suffix 'meter' mean?

Answer 26

Instrument used to count or measure ## Footnote Example: Spirometer - measures lung air capacity.

Question 27

What does 'metry' signify?

Answer 27

Process of measuring ## Footnote Example: Optometry - measuring eyesight and detecting eye disease.

Question 28

What does the suffix 'oid' indicate?

Answer 28

Resemblance to ## Footnote Example: Steroid - organic compounds with a characteristic structure.

Question 29

What does the suffix 'oma' refer to?

Answer 29

Tumour, mass, fluid collection ## Footnote Example: Granuloma - area of inflammation.

Question 30

What does 'opsy' mean?

Answer 30

Examination or inspection ## Footnote Example: Biopsy - examination of tissue from a living body.

Question 31

What does 'osis' signify?

Answer 31

A condition, disease or increase ## Footnote Example: Osteoarthritis - degeneration of joint cartilage.

Question 32

What does the suffix 'pathy' refer to?

Answer 32

Disease or disorder ## Footnote Example: Psychopathy - neuropsychiatric disorder.

Question 33

What does 'philia' mean?

Answer 33

Tendency toward ## Footnote Example: Hemophilia - reduced ability of blood to clot.

Question 34

What does 'phobia' signify?

Answer 34

Exaggerated fear, sensitivity, aversion ## Footnote Example: Photophobia - discomfort from bright lights.

Question 35

What does the suffix 'plasia' indicate?

Answer 35

Formation, development ## Footnote Example: Hyperplasia - enlargement of an organ due to increased cell reproduction.

Question 36

What does 'plasty' mean?

Answer 36

Surgical repair, reconstruction ## Footnote Example: Rhinoplasty - plastic surgery on the nose.

Question 37

What does the suffix 'plegia' refer to?

Answer 37

Paralysis ## Footnote Example: Quadriplegia - paralysis from the neck down.

Question 38

What does the suffix 'plexy' indicate?

Answer 38

Stroke or seizure ## Footnote Example: Apoplexy - unconsciousness from a cerebral hemorrhage.

Question 39

What does 'rrhage' or 'rrhagia' mean?

Answer 39

Burst forth, rapid flow ## Footnote Example: Menorrhagia - abnormally heavy menstrual bleeding.

Question 40

What does 'rrhea' or 'rrhoea' signify?

Answer 40

Flow, discharge ## Footnote Example: Gonorrhoea - sexually transmissible infection.

Question 41

What does 'rupt' indicate?

Answer 41

Break or burst ## Footnote Example: Erupt - break out suddenly.

Question 42

What does the suffix 'sclerosis' refer to?

Answer 42

Hardening ## Footnote Example: Nuclear sclerosis - hardening of the lens in the eye.

Question 43

What does 'scope' mean?

Answer 43

Instrument for looking ## Footnote Example: Endoscope - instrument to view internal parts of the body.

Question 44

What does 'scopy' signify?

Answer 44

Process of viewing ## Footnote Example: Endoscopy - procedure to view internal parts of the body.

Question 45

What does 'stalsis' refer to?

Answer 45

Contraction ## Footnote Example: Peristalsis - wave-like movements in the intestine.

Question 46

What does the suffix 'stasis' mean?

Answer 46

Stopping, standing ## Footnote Example: Homeostasis - stable equilibrium in physiological processes.

Question 47

What does 'stenosis' indicate?

Answer 47

Abnormal narrowing of a blood vessel or organ structure ## Footnote Example: Restenosis - recurrence of abnormal narrowing after surgery.

Question 48

What does 'stomy' refer to?

Answer 48

Creation of an opening ## Footnote Example: Colostomy - surgical operation to divert the colon.

Question 49

What does 'tomy' mean?

Answer 49

Act of cutting, incising, incision ## Footnote Example: Laparotomy - surgical incision into the abdominal cavity.

Question 50

What does the suffix 'trophy' indicate?

Answer 50

Nourishment, development ## Footnote Example: Hypertrophy - enlargement of an organ from cell size increase.

Question 51

What does 'ula' or 'ule' mean?

Answer 51

Small ## Footnote Example: Pustule - a small blister or pimple.