Medical Terminology: List of Suffixes, Examples, and Meanings
Medical terminology suffixes and their meanings made easy! List of common suffixes along with examples, flashcard tables, and a review of prefixes and root words!
Save Time with a Video!
Save time by watching the video first, then supplement it with the lecture below!
Click below to view the EZmed video library. Subscribe to stay in the loop!
💯 Pass Your Classes & Exams!
Become a member to access hundreds of pages of study guides, PDF lectures, & flashcards!
Instant access to a members-only page of ALL the flashcards, study guides, and PDF lectures. Cancel anytime.
🔥 The BEST Flashcards & Study Guides!
Click below to download your flashcards & study guides to SAVE TIME studying, PASS your classes, and SUCCEED in medicine!
Medical Terminology: Suffixes
Set aside the medical terminology course books, flashcards, and dictionaries for a moment!
You have landed on a page where medical terminology is simplified for you!
Filled with common prefixes, root words, and suffixes you are likely to encounter, our medical terminology series will provide you with condensed high-yield information.
We already reviewed common medical abbreviations, prefixes, and root words in previous posts - see below!
Now let’s focus on common suffixes and their meanings!
We will review suffixes pertaining to procedures, tests, signs, symptoms, diseases, diagnoses, conditions, and much more!
You will learn the meanings for common medical suffixes including -osis, -oma, -itis, -ism, -plasty, -al, -tomy, -gram, -ic, -ologist, -spasm, and many more!
You will also be provided with tables to quiz yourself, as well as examples to help you remember them all!
Let’s get started!
Enjoy all of our simplified medical terminology posts!
Medical Abbreviations MADE EASY!
Medical Root Words MADE EASY! - Part I
Medical Root Words MADE EASY! - Part II
Medical Root Words MADE EASY! - Part III
Medical Suffixes MADE EASY! - Currently Viewing
Medical Prefixes, Roots, and Suffixes
Medical terminology is the language used in healthcare to describe anatomy, structures, conditions, diagnoses, procedures, treatments, and much more.
Let’s briefly recap the word elements that make up medical terms.
If you are coming to this post from one of our other medical terminology lectures, then this section will be a great review!
Most medical words have a beginning, middle, and end.
They are referred to as the prefix, root, and suffix.
The prefix is at the beginning.
The root is in the middle.
The suffix is at the end.
The simplest approach to take when figuring out the meaning of a medical term is to break down the word into its different parts.
Prefix = Descriptive
The prefix is typically the descriptive part of the medical term, and it forms the beginning of the word.
The prefix describes characteristics such as a location, direction, number, quantity, amount, size, or color.
Root = Subject
The root provides the subject of the medical term.
It is the core meaning of the word, and it often pertains to a body part or system.
The root forms the middle of the word when a prefix is present.
If there is no prefix, then the root will form the beginning of the word.
Some medical terms may also have more than one root word combined together.
Suffix = Meaning
The suffix brings meaning to the medical term and forms the end of the word.
The suffix might indicate a disease, disorder, condition, procedure, process, specialty, test, or status.
Medical Terminology: Prefix (Beginning) is the descriptive part of the word; Root (Middle) is the subject of the term; Suffix (Ending) brings meaning to the word
Medical Suffixes - Procedures
As mentioned above, medical suffixes bring meaning to the term and often describe a procedure, test, diagnosis, condition, or process.
Let’s review common medical suffixes, along with their meanings and examples, starting with terms related to procedures.
Of note, many of the suffixes listed below start with the letter “O”.
This is called the combining vowel.
The combining vowel is the vowel that follows the root word and connects the root to another root or a suffix.
Be aware that a different vowel other than “O” may be used to connect the word elements together.
-ostomy = To surgically create an artificial opening or stoma
Example: Colostomy
We know from the root word lectures that “colo-” means colon.
Therefore, colostomy is a surgery that creates a new opening for the colon to pass through the abdominal wall.
-otomy = To make an incision or cut into
Example: Laparotomy
We know from the root word lectures that “laparo-” means abdomen or abdominal wall.
Therefore, laparotomy is a surgical incision into the abdominal cavity.
Be careful with “-ostomy” and “-otomy” as they sound similar.
-ectomy = The surgical removal or excision of
Example: Nephrectomy
We learned in the root word lectures that “nephro-” means kidney.
Therefore, nephrectomy is the surgical removal of a kidney or part of a kidney.
-oscopy = The examination or viewing of (especially with a scope - an instrument used to view or observe)
Examples: Cystoscopy, Colonoscopy, or Arthroscopy
You can figure out the body part being viewed by breaking down the root word, most of which we learned in the previous root word lectures.
“Cysto-” refers to bladder, so cystoscopy is the use of a scope to visualize the inside of the bladder.
“Colo-” refers to colon, so colonoscopy is the use of a scope to visualize the inside of the colon.
“Arthro-” refers to joint, so arthroscopy is the use of a scope to visualize the inside of a joint.
-centesis = To puncture or the aspiration of
Examples: Pericardiocentesis, Thoracentesis, or Arthrocentesis.
Again the root word will help you determine what part of the body is being punctured or aspirated.
“Pericardio-” refers to the pericardium (sac around the heart), so pericardiocentesis is a procedure that uses a needle to aspirate or remove fluid from the pericardial sac.
“Thora-” refers to the chest or thorax, so thoracentesis is the aspiration of fluid or air from the pleural space of the chest cavity (space between the lungs and chest wall).
“Arthro-” refers to joint, so arthrocentesis is the puncture of a joint especially for the aspiration of fluid from the joint space.
-plasty = A surgical procedure for the repair, restoration, or replacement of a part of the body
Example: Rhinoplasty
We learned in the root word lectures that “rhino-” means nose.
Therefore, rhinoplasty is a surgery that changes the shape of the nose.
-otripsy = Crushing
Example: Lithotripsy
We know from the root word lectures that “litho-” means stone.
Therefore, lithotripsy refers to a procedure that crushes a stone (such as a kidney stone).
-desis = Binding or fusing together
Example: Pleurodesis
Pleurodesis is the procedure of fusing or adhering the layers of the pleura together.
Remember the pleura is the thin membrane covering the lungs and also lines the inside of the chest wall.
Therefore, a pleurodesis prevents the build up of fluid or air in the pleural cavity.
-scope = The instrument used to view or observe a body part
We alluded to this above when discussing the suffix “-oscopy” which pertained to procedures that used a scope to view or examine a part of the body.
Again the root word will describe what part of the body the instrument is used for.
Examples: Otoscope or Ophthalmoscope
We learned in the root word lectures that “oto-” means ear and “ophthalmo-” means eye.
Therefore, an otoscope is the instrument used to examine the ear, and an ophthalmoscope is the instrument used to view and examine the eye.
-opsy = Examination or Inspection of
Example: Biopsy or Autopsy
A biopsy is the removal of cells or tissues for examination (typically by a pathologist).
An autopsy is the examination of a body after death to determine a cause or to examine the extent of a disease.
Now it’s your turn!
Cover up the second column of the table below and see how many suffixes you can define!
Medical Terminology: List of common suffixes and their meanings
Medical Suffixes - Tests
Let’s continue with common suffixes pertaining to tests.
The following 3 terms look the same and have similar meanings, so let’s break them down.
-gram = A record, image, or picture
Example: Electrocardiogram (ECG/EKG)
An electrocardiogram is a recording of the electrical activity of the heart.
-graph = The instrument or machine used to record or take a picture
Example: Electrocardiograph
An electrocardiograph is the instrument or machine used to record the electrical activity of the heart.
In other words, the electrocardiograph is the machine that produces the electrocardiogram.
-graphy = The act of recording or taking a picture
This refers to the actual act or process of recording or taking a picture.
Example: Electrocardiography
Electrocardiography is the act or process of recording the electrical activity of the heart.
So to recap, “-gram” refers to the actual record or image, “-graph” refers to the machine that obtains the record or takes the picture, and “-graphy” refers to the actual process of obtaining that record or taking the picture.
Now it’s your turn!
Cover up the second column of the table below and see how many suffixes you can define!
Medical Terminology: List of common suffixes and their definitions
Medical Suffixes - Signs/Symptoms
Let’s proceed with common suffixes that relate to signs and symptoms.
-itis = Inflammation
Example: Arthritis
Again we know “arthro-” refers to joints, so arthritis is inflammation of the joints.
-paresis = Weakness
Example: Hemiparesis
We learned in the prefix lecture that “hemi-” means half or one side.
Therefore, hemiparesis is weakness to one side of the body.
This is a great example of a prefix followed by a suffix, since most of the examples so far have been roots followed by a suffix.
-plegia = Paralysis
Example: Quadriplegia
We learned in the prefix lecture that “quad-” means 4.
Therefore, quadriplegia means paralysis of all 4 limbs.
This is another example of a prefix/suffix combination.
-rrhea = Discharge or Flow
Example: Rhinorrhea or Otorrhea
Again we know “rhino-” means nose and “oto-” means ear.
Therefore, rhinorrhea refers to a runny nose or nasal discharge, and otorrhea refers to discharge or liquid drainage from the ear.
-edema = Swelling or the accumulation of fluid
Example: Blepharedema
We know from the root word lectures that “blepharo-” refers to eyelid.
Therefore, blepharedema is swelling of the eyelid(s).
-odynia = Pain or Discomfort
Example: Osteodynia
We learned in the root word lectures that “osteo-” means bone.
Therefore, osteodynia is pain in a bone.
-spasm = Sudden muscle contraction
Example: Vasospasm
Vasospasm is sudden constriction of a blood vessel, which makes sense because “vaso-” relates to a blood vessel.
-rrhage/-rrhagia = Excessive flow or discharge
Example: Hemorrhage
Hemorrhage means the copious or heavy discharge of blood from a blood vessel.
This makes sense because “hemo-” refers to blood.
It can be easy to confuse “-rrhea” and “-rrhage/rrhagia” so be careful.
Remember “-rrhea” is discharge or flow while “-rrhage/rrhagia” is excessive discharge or flow.
-algia = Pain
Example: Cephalgia or Neuralgia
We know from the root word lectures that “cephalo-” refers to head and “neuro-” refers to nerve.
Therefore, cephalgia is the medical term for headache and neuralgia means nerve pain.
Now it’s your turn!
Cover up the second column of the table below and see how many suffixes you can define!
Medical Terminology: List of common suffixes and examples
Medical Suffixes - Descriptive
Let’s continue with a group of descriptive suffixes.
-megaly = Irregular Enlargement
Example: Hepatomegaly or Cardiomegaly
We know from the root word lectures that “hepato-” means liver and “cardio-” means heart.
Therefore, hepatomegaly is the abnormal enlargement of the liver, and cardiomegaly is the abnormal enlargement of the heart.
-icle = Small, Microscopic, Little, or Minute
Example: Denticle
“Dento-” refers to teeth, so denticle means small tooth or toothlike projection.
-constriction = Narrow or Contract
Example: Vasoconstriction
We mentioned above that “vaso-” refers to blood vessel, so vasoconstriction is the narrowing of blood vessels.
-dilation = Expand, Widen, or Stretch
Example: Vasodilation
The opposite of vasoconstriction is vasodilation, which is the widening of blood vessels.
-eurysm = Expand or Widen
Example: Aneurysm
Similar to the suffix “-dilation”, the suffix “-eurysm” means expand or widen.
For example, aneurysm is an abnormal bulge or ballooning in the wall of a blood vessel, and this causes the blood vessel to expand or widen.
-genesis = Develop, Produce, Form
Example: Neurogenesis
We mentioned above that “neuro-” refers to nerves.
Therefore, neurogenesis is the formation or development of neurons.
-stasis = Stoppage/Slowdown in the flow of blood or bodily fluids
Example: Hemostasis
We mentioned above that “hemo-” refers to blood.
Therefore, hemostasis is the stoppage or cessation of bleeding or blood flow.
So to recap, hemorrhage referred to bleeding whereas hemostasis refers to the cessation of bleeding.
Now it’s your turn!
Cover up the second column of the table below and see how many suffixes you can define!
Medical Terminology: List of common suffixes and their dictionary meaning
Medical Suffixes - General
Let’s wrap it up with a group of general suffixes you are likely to encounter.
-cele = Hernia or Swelling
Example: Gastrocele
We know from the root word lectures that “gastro-” refers to stomach.
Therefore, gastrocele is a hernia in part of the stomach.
-genic = Caused/Produced by
Example: Cardiogenic, Nephrogenic, or Carcinogenic
We learned in the root word lectures that “cardio-” means heart, “nephro-” means kidney, and “carcino-” means cancer.
Therefore, cardiogenic means arising in the heart or caused by a heart condition, nephrogenic means originating in the kidney, and carcinogenic means having the potential to cause cancer.
There are other suffixes that mean “pertaining to” or “related to” as well.
They include: -ac, -ic, -al, -ous, -tic, -ary
-ism = Medical Condition, Disease, or Process
Example: Hyperthyroidism
We learned in the prefix lecture that “hyper-” means above normal or in excess.
We also know from the root word lectures that “thyro-” refers to the thyroid gland.
Therefore, hyperthyroidism is the condition in which the thyroid gland is overactive.
There are other suffixes that mean “condition, disease, or process” as well.
They include: -ia, -sis, -y, -osis, -pathy, -ago, -ema
-ologist = Specialist or a person who studies and has knowledge of a particular area of study
Example: Pulmonologist
We know from the root word lectures that “pulmo-” refers to lung.
Therefore, a pulmonologist is a person who specializes in the anatomy and pathophysiology of the lungs.
-ology = Study of
Example: Pulmonology
In the previous example, the pulmonologist was the actual person who specializes in the lungs whereas pulmonology is the study of the lungs.
-oma = Tumor or Growth
Example: Melanoma
Melanoma is a tumor of the melanin-forming cells, especially a malignant tumor associated with skin cancer.
-pathy = Disease
Example: Cardiomyopathy
We mentioned above that “cardio-” means heart.
We also know from the root word lectures that “myo-” refers to muscle.
Therefore, cardiomyopathy is a chronic disease of the heart muscle.
-osis = Condition
Example: Tuberculosis
Tuberculosis is an infectious condition characterized by the growth of nodules in the tissues, especially the lungs.
-penia = Deficiency
Example: Pancytopenia
We learned in the root word lectures that “cyto-” means cell.
Therefore, pancytopenia is a deficiency of all types of blood cells including white blood cells, red blood cells, and platelets
-pnea = Breathing or Respiration
Example: Tachypnea
We learned in the prefix lecture that “tachy-” means fast or rapid.
Therefore, tachypnea is fast or rapid breathing.
-emia = Blood or a condition that relates to blood
Example: Anemia
We know from the prefix lecture that “a-/an-” means absent or lacking.
Therefore, anemia is a condition marked by a deficiency of red blood cells or hemoglobin in the blood.
Now it’s your turn!
Cover up the second column of the table below and see how many suffixes you can define!
Medical Terminology: List of common suffixes, their meanings, and examples
Before You Go….
Save time studying and reviewing!
Make sure to sign up for FREE to the EZmed newsletter below, and never miss out on future medical and science topics made easy!
A weekly notification is sent right to your inbox filled with new lectures, videos, and exam prep!
Did you enjoy this lecture? Leave a comment down below!
Feedback or suggestions for future topics? Reach out using the contact button above!
Thank you for using EZmed!
Make Your Learning Experience Even Easier!
Perform well in class, ace your exams, and keep up with your medical knowledge throughout your career using the following EZmed platforms:
YouTube Channel: EZmed - Animations and videos that simplify medicine and science
Instagram: @ezmedlearning - High yield exam content
Pinterest: ezmedlearning - Easy illustrations and flashcards