Sports Medicine One 1
Medical Terminology
Common Suffixes
Suffix- endings that modify the root; they give the root essential meaning by forming a noun, verb, or adjective
Suffix
-algia
Definition
pain
Example
cephalalgia-headache
Suffix
-genesis
Definition
origin or production
Example
pathogenesis-origin or
production of a
disease
hepatomegalyenlargement of the
liver
leucopenia-abnormal
reduction of white
blood cells
vasospasminvoluntary
contraction of a blood
vessel
angiectasis-expansion
or dilation of a blood
vessel
lithiasis-formation or
presence of a stone or
stones
osteomalaciasoftening of bone
sclerosis-condition of
hardening
gastroptosisdownward
displacement of the
stomach
cephalodynia-headache
-dynia
-lysis
breaking down or
dissolution
hemolysis-breakdown of -megaly
blood
enlargement
-oid
resembling
lipoid-resembling fat
-penia
abnormal reduction
-rrhea
discharge
rhinorrhea-runny
discharge from the nose
-spasm
involuntary
contraction
-cele
pouching or hernia
gastrocele-pouching of
the stomach
-ectasis
expansion or dilation
-emia
blood condition
-iasis
formation or presence
of
-itis
inflammation
-malacia
softening
-oma
tumor
hyperlipemia-blood
condition of excessive
fat
hepatitis-inflammation
of the liver
carcinoma-cancer tumor
-osis
condition or increase
-phil
attraction for
basophi-cell with an
attraction for basic dyes
-ptosis
falling or downward
displacement
-philia
pneumophilia-condition
that has an attraction for
the lungs
Sports Medicine One 2
Medical Terminology
Suffix
Definition
rupture
Example
hepatorrhexis-rupture
of the liver
puncture for aspiration abdominocentesis-desis
puncture for aspiration
of the abdomen
excision or removal
nephrectomy-excision or -pexy
removal of a kidney
binding
arthrodesis-binding
together of a joint
suspension or fixation
-plasty
surgical repair or
reconstruction
rhinoplasty-surgical
repair of the nose
-rrhaphy
suture
gastropexy-fixation of
the stomach to the
abdominal wall
osteorrhaphy-suture of
bone
-tomy
incision
laparotomy-incision into
the abdomen
-stomy
creation of an opening
-tripsy
crushing
-e
noun marker
-ia
condition of
lithotripsy-crushing of
stone
phobia-condition of an
exaggerated fear or
sensitivity
-ium
structure or tissue
-rrhage
-rrhagia
-centesis
-ectomy
Definition
to burst forth (usually
blood
-ism
-icle
small
-ole
Example
hemorrhage-to burst
forth blood
alcoholism-condition of
alcohol abuse
ventricle-small belly or
pouch
Suffix
-rrhexis
gastrostomy-creation
of an opening in the
stomach
erythrocyte-a red
blood cell
epigastrium-structure
upon the stomach
pericardium-tissue
around the heart
-gram
record
sonogram-record of
sound
-graphy
process of recording
sonography-process of
recording sound
bronchiole-small airway
macula-small spot
-ula
pustule-small pimple
-ule
-graph
instrument
sonograph-instrument
for recording sound
Sports Medicine One 3
Medical Terminology
Suffix
-logy
-ation
Definition
study of
Example
cytology-study of cells
condition or process
of
starvation-condition or
process of starving
adenopathy-condition or
process of gland disease
Suffix
-ist
Definition
one who specializes in
-ac
pertaining to
Example
pharmacist-one who
specializes in drugs
cardiac-pertaining to
the heart
-al
pedal-pertaining to the
foot
-ar
glandular-pertaining
to a gland
-y
pulmonary-pertaining
to the lung
-ary
esophageal-pertaining
to the esophagus
-eal
toxic-pertaining to
poison
fibrous-pertaining to
fiber
cyanotic-pertaining to
blue
-ic
-ous
-iatrics
-iatry
treatment
pediatrics-treatment of
children
psychiatry-treatment of
the mind
-tic
-logist
one who specializes in
the study or treatment
of
psychologist-one who
specializes in the
study or treatment of
the mind
Sports Medicine One 4
Medical Terminology
Suffix
-poiesis
Definition
instrument for
measuring
formation
-scopy
examination
-meter
Example
spirometer-instrument
for measuring breathing
hemopoiesis-formation
of blood
endoscopy-examination
within
Suffix
-metry
-scope
-stasis
Definition
process of measuring
instrument for
examination
stop or stand
Example
spirometry-process of
measuring breathing
endoscope-instrument
for examination within
hemostasis-stop
bleeding
orthostasis-stand
straight