Medical Terminology Common Suffixes Flashcards

Study Notes

Common Medical Suffixes

-pathy: Refers to disease; often used to denote disorders affecting organs.
-plasia: Indicates development or growth; commonly seen in terms related to cell formation and tissue development.
-plasm: Signifies formation or development; used in contexts involving cellular components.
-ptosis: Denotes drooping or sagging; associated with conditions where an organ or body part falls from its normal position.
-rrhage: Describes excessive or abnormal flow, often related to bleeding events.
-rrhea: Refers to discharge or flow; used in terms that detail bodily secretions or fluid loss.
-rrhexis: Indicates rupture; commonly used when describing breaking of tissues or vessels.
-sclerosis: Means hardening; frequently associated with conditions that lead to tissue firmness, as in arteriosclerosis.
-stenosis: Refers to narrowing; often used in medical conditions involving constricted blood vessels or passages.
-therapy: Denotes treatment; encompasses various methods aimed at alleviating conditions or diseases.
-trophy: Refers to nourishment or development; it describes the growth of cells or tissues and can indicate size changes.
-centesis: Involves puncture to withdraw fluid; commonly used in procedures where fluids are collected for diagnostic or therapeutic purposes.
-ectomy: Signifies surgical removal; broadly applied in various surgical procedures targeting organs or tissues.
-ostomy: Indicates surgically creating an opening; often used in procedures that involve connecting an organ to the outside of the body.
-otomy: Refers to cutting into; a term widely used in surgical contexts.
-pexy: Denotes surgical fixation; often used when organs need to be stabilized in their anatomical position.
-plasty: Indicates surgical repair; commonly employed in reconstructive surgeries.
-rrhaphy: Refers to suture; commonly associated with stitching up incisions or wounds post-surgery.

Description

Learn essential medical terminology with these flashcards focusing on common suffixes from -pathy to -rrhaphy. Each card provides a word along with its definition to help reinforce your understanding of medical vocabulary. Ideal for students studying healthcare or medical fields.