Suffixes Flashcards
-ac, -al, -ar, -ary, -eal, -ia, -ic, - ory, -ous -tic
Perfaining to, condition of (Ventricular pertains to the ventricles.)
-ad,
Toward (Caudad is toward the tail.)
-algia, -dynia
Pain (Arthralgia is pain in the joints). Cephalodynia is pain in the head or a headache.)
-ase
Enzyme (Amylase is an enzyme that breaks down starches.)
-astenia
Weakness (Myasthenia gravis is great muscle weakness.)
-blast
Baby, immature (Erythroblasts are immature red blood cells most often found in the bone marrow.)
-cele
Hernia, abnormal protrusion (A rectocele is an abnormal protrusion from the rectum.)
-cide, -cidal
Killing, destroying (Bacteriocidal solutions kill bacteria.)
-crine
To secrete (The endocrine system secretes hormones.)
-cyte
Cell (A leukocyte is a white blood cell.)
-derma
Skin (Scleroderma is “hard” skin.)
-ectasia, -ectasis
Stretching, dilating (Bronchiectasis is a lung condition in which the bronchioles are stretched out permanently.)
-ectomy
Surgical removal (A hysterectomy is the removal of the uterus.)
-endema
Swelling, fluid accumulation (Lymphedema is fluid accumulation and swelling when the lymph nodes cannot circulate lymph back through the vascular system, usually due to
an obstruction.)
-ema, -iasis, -ism, -lepsy, -osis
Condition, abnormal condition (Erythema is a condition with redness; hyperthyroidism is a condition of above-normal thyroid function; candidiasis is a condition of a yeast
infection; hidrosis is a condition of abnormal sweating. Narcolepsy is an abnormal condition of sleep.)
-emesis
Vomiting (Hyperemesis is excessive vomiting.)
-emia
Blood (Anemia is a condition of low (no) blood.)
-esthesia
Sensation, feeling (Anesthesia produces a lack of feeling or sensation.)
-gen, -genesis, -genic
Producing, production, production of, formation (A carcinogen is something that produces cancer, carcinogenesis is the formation of cancer, and carcinogenic is a substance capable of producing
cancer.)
-globin, -globulin
Protein (Hemoglobin is the protein in red blood cells that transports oxygen; an mmunoglobulin is a protein that helps protect us against infections.)
-gram
Recording (An electrocardiogram is a recording of the heart.)
-graph
Instrument used to record (An electrocardiograph is the instrument used to make an electrocardiogram.)
-graphy
Process of recording (Electrocardiography is the process of recording the heart’s beat.)
-itis
Inflammation (Gastritis is inflammation of the stomach)
-kinesia,-kinesis
Movement (Dyskinesia is painful movement of the bod.)
-logist
One who studies (A cardiologist is one who studies the heart.)
-logy
The study of (Cardiology is the study of the heart.)
-Ivsis. -Ivtic
Destruction (Hemolvsis occurs when red blood cells are destroved.)
-malacia
Softening (Nephromalacia is a condition occurring when the kidney(s) soften.)
-mania, -manic
Abnormal preoccupation or obsession (Pvromania is an abnormal obsession with fire, and a pvromaniac is a person with this preoccupation.)
-megaly
Enlargement (Acromegaly is enlargement of the extremities.)
-meter, -metry
Measuring device, process of measuring (A spirometer measures the amount of air inhaled and exhaled through the respiratory system. Pelvimetry is the process of measuring a pregnant
woman’s pelvis.)
-oid
Resembling (Osteoid is resembling bone.)
-oma
Tumor (A lipoma is a fatty tumor.)
-opia
Vision (Diplopia is double vision.)
-ose
Sugar (Lactose is the sugar found in milk)
-ostomy
Formation of a new opening (A gastrostomy is a new opening in the stomach to provide nutrients to patients who are unable to swallow.)
-para, -parous
Bearing, producing child (Unipara refers to a woman who has given birth to one child.)
-pathy
Disease (Lymphadenopathy is a disease of the lymph glands.)
-penia
Deficiency (Thrombocytopenia is a deficiency of clotting cells (platelets).)
-pepsia
Digestion (Eupepsia is normal digestion.)
-pexy
Surgical fixation (Mastopexy is surgical fixation of the breasts.)
-phage, -phagy, -phagia
To eat or digest (Macrophages are large cells that ingest foreign matter. Dysphagia is difficult or painful digestion.)
-phasia
Speaking (Dysphasia is difficult speaking, as in laryngitis.)
-phil, -philia
To love (An eosinophil loves the red dye found in Wright’s and Giemsa’s stains.)
-phobia
Abnormal fear (Necrophobia is an abnormal fear of death.)
-phonia
Sound (Aphonia is the lack of sound (or not being able to hear sound).)
-phrenia. -phrenic
Mind, diaphragm ( Schizophrenia is a split personality; the phrenic nerve stimulates the diaphragm.)
-plasty
Surgical repair (Rhinoplasty is surgical repair of one’s nose.)
-plegia, -plegic
Paralysis (Quadriplegia is paralysis of four limbs; a quadriplegic is a person who has this condition.)
-pnea
Breath or (Dyspnea is difficult breathing.)
-poiesis
Formation (Hematopoiesis is the formation of blood.)
-ptosis
Sagging or drooping (Blepharoptosis is a drooping eyelid.)
-rrhage, -rrhagia
Heavy discharge (Hemorrhage is a heavy discharge of blood.)
-rrhaphy
Suturing (Cardiorrhaphy is a suturing of the heart.)
-rrhea
Discharge, flowing (Diarrhea is flowing of feces through the anus.)
-rrhexis
Rupture (Cardiorrhexis is a rupture of the heart.)
-scope, -scopy
Instrument, process of using the instrument (Microscopes are instruments used to view tiny objects; microscopy is the process of examining the tiny objects.)
-somnia
Sleep (Polvsomnia is much sleep.)
-stasis
Stopping (Homeostasis is the process of stopping processes in the body to maintain an equilibrium.)
-stenosis
Narrowing (Esophagostenosis is the narrowing of the esophagus.)
-stomy
Opening (Gastrostomy is making a new opening into the stomach.)
-tome
Instrument used for cutting (A gastrotome is an instrument used for cutting into the stomach)
-tomy
The process of cutting (Nephrotomy is the process of cutting into a kidney.)
-trophic, -trophy
Nutrition (Atrophic pertains to a lack of nutrition, commonly found in limbs that have been bound by casts.)
-uria
Urine (Dvsuria is painful or difficult urination.)
-version
Turning (Cardioversion is turning or converting the heart to a normal rhythm.)
