Medical Suffixes Flashcards

Questions and Answers

What does the suffix -al, -iac, -ic, -ior pertain to?

Producing or causing

Enzyme

Pertaining to (correct)

Flow; excessive discharge

What does the suffix -ase mean?

Enzyme

What does the suffix -blast refer to?

Budding

What does the suffix -centesis indicate?

Surgical puncture Signup and view all the answers

What does the suffix -cidal mean?

Causing death Signup and view all the answers

What does the suffix -clast mean?

Broken Signup and view all the answers

What does the suffix -crit refer to?

To separate Signup and view all the answers

What is the meaning of the suffix -cyte?

Cell Signup and view all the answers

What does the suffix -ectomy indicate?

Excision or surgical removal Signup and view all the answers

What does the suffix -emia mean?

Blood condition Signup and view all the answers

What does the suffix -emesis represent?

Vomiting Signup and view all the answers

What does the suffix -gen, -genesis, -genic refer to?

Producing or causing Signup and view all the answers

What does the suffix -glia mean?

Glue Signup and view all the answers

What does the suffix -gram mean?

Something written Signup and view all the answers

What does the suffix -ia signify?

Condition of; diseased or abnormal state Signup and view all the answers

What is the meaning of the suffix -ism?

State of Signup and view all the answers

What does the suffix -itia, -itis refer to?

Inflammation Signup and view all the answers

What does the suffix -logy mean?

Study of Signup and view all the answers

What does the suffix -lyte signify?

Dissolvable Signup and view all the answers

What does the suffix -lytic represent?

Destroy; reduce Signup and view all the answers

What does the suffix -mania mean?

Madness or insane desire Signup and view all the answers

What does the suffix -megaly indicate?

Enlargement Signup and view all the answers

What does the suffix -meter refer to?

Instrument used to measure Signup and view all the answers

What is the meaning of the suffix -odia?

Smell Signup and view all the answers

What does the suffix -ologist mean?

One who studies or practices Signup and view all the answers

What does the suffix -oma indicate?

Tumor or swelling Signup and view all the answers

What does the suffix -opia refer to?

Vision Signup and view all the answers

What does the suffix -opsy mean?

To view Signup and view all the answers

What does the suffix -orrhea signify?

Flow; excessive discharge Signup and view all the answers

What does the suffix -orrhexis mean?

Rupture Signup and view all the answers

What does the suffix -osis indicate?

Abnormal; increase in production Signup and view all the answers

What does the suffix -ostomy mean?

Creation of an artificial opening Signup and view all the answers

What does the suffix -otomy mean?

Cut into or incision Signup and view all the answers

What does the suffix -oxia refer to?

Oxygen Signup and view all the answers

What does the suffix -pathy indicate?

Disease Signup and view all the answers

What does the suffix -sclerosis mean?

Hardening Signup and view all the answers

What does the suffix -scope mean?

Instrument used for visual examination Signup and view all the answers

What does the suffix -scopy mean?

Visual examination Signup and view all the answers

What does the suffix -sepsis indicate?

Infection Signup and view all the answers

What does the suffix -spasm mean?

Sudden involuntary muscle contraction Signup and view all the answers

What does the suffix -stasis mean?

Control or stop Signup and view all the answers

What does the suffix -tomy represent?

Cutting Signup and view all the answers

What does the suffix -tropic mean?

Influencing Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Medical Suffixes Overview

Suffixes are essential components in medical terminology, indicating conditions, procedures, or characteristics.

Pertaining to

Suffixes -al, -iac, -ic, -ior denote relation or pertaining to.

Enzymes

The suffix -ase refers specifically to enzymes.

Cellular Terms

-blast refers to a budding or immature cell.
-cyte indicates a cell.

Surgical Procedures

-centesis means surgical puncture for diagnosis or treatment.
-ectomy indicates excision or surgical removal of an organ or tissue.
-ostomy refers to creating an artificial opening in a structure.
-otomy means cutting into or making an incision.

Conditions

-emia denotes a condition related to blood.
-itis, -itia signifies inflammation.
-ia represents a condition or abnormal state.
-osis indicates an abnormal or increased condition.

Destructive Terms

-cidal suggests causing death.
-lytic indicates destruction or reduction in quantity.

Measurement and Examination

-meter is an instrument used for measurement.
-scope denotes an instrument for visual examination.
-scopy refers to the act of visual examination.

Growth and Size

-mega indicates enlargement (note: -megaly).
-oma signifies a tumor or swelling.

Infections and Conditions

-sepsis relates to infection.
-spasm indicates sudden involuntary muscle contraction.

Other Important Suffixes

-logy refers to the study of a subject.
-gen, -genesis, -genic imply producing or causing a condition.
-mania represents madness or intense desire.
-pnea indicates breathing (not listed but relevant).
-stasis signifies control or stopping a process.

Vision and Senses

-opia relates to vision.
-odia indicates smell.

Miscellaneous

-crit refers to the process of separation.
-glia denotes supportive cells in the nervous system (glue).
-lyte signifies substances that can be dissolved.

These suffixes form the basis of many medical terms, facilitating effective communication in healthcare.

Studying That Suits You

Use AI to generate personalized quizzes and flashcards to suit your learning preferences.

Description

Test your knowledge of medical suffixes with this flashcard quiz. Each card features a suffix and its definition, helping you to better understand medical terminology. Perfect for students in healthcare or anyone interested in learning medical terms.