Medical Terminology Suffixes Quiz

Medical Terminology Suffixes

• -centesis: Refers to a surgical puncture to remove fluid or gas.
• -desis: Indicates a procedure of binding or tying together structures.
• -ectomy: Represents the surgical removal or cutting out of a part.
• -lysis: Denotes destruction or breakdown, often used in medical contexts.
• -pexy: Refers to surgical fixation, usually to hold a body part in place.
• -plasty: Indicates surgical repair or reconstruction of a body part.
• -rrhaphy: Refers to the surgical suture or stitching of a wound.
• -stomy: Pertains to creating a surgical opening, often for drainage.
• -tome: Denotes an instrument used for cutting tissue.
• -tomy: Indicates an incision into an organ or tissue.
• -tripsy: Refers to the crushing or breaking apart of a body part or substance.
• -gram: Represents a drawing or written record, often of data or medical tests.
• -graph: An instrument used to record data or images.
• -graphy: The process of recording data or images for analysis.
• -meter: Refers to a measuring instrument, particularly in a medical context.
• -scope: Denotes an instrument used for visual examination of internal structures.
• -scopy: Indicates the process of visual examination via a scope.
• -algia: Refers to pain or discomfort in a specified area.
• -dynia: Another term for pain, often used interchangeably with -algia.
• -cele: Indicates a hernia or swelling in a particular area or organ.
• -ectasis: Refers to dilation or expansion of a hollow structure or organ.
• -edema: Indicates swelling caused by the accumulation of fluid in tissues.
• -emesis: Represents the act of vomiting.
• -emia: Refers to the presence of a specific substance in the blood.
• -gen: Denotes something that produces or causes a condition or substance.
• -genesis: Indicates the origin or beginning process of formation.
• -iasis: Refers to a pathological condition, often a disease associated with a medical term.
• -itis: Indicates inflammation of an organ or tissue.
• -lith: Refers to a stone or calculus, often within the body.
• -malacia: Denotes softening of tissues or organs.
• -megaly: Indicates enlargement of an organ or structure.
• -oma: Refers to a tumor or mass of tissue.
• -pathy: Indicates a disease or disorder linked to a particular organ or system.
• -penia: Refers to a deficiency or lack of a specified substance.
• -phagia: Denotes eating, particularly of a specific substance.
• -phasia: Refers to a speech disorder.
• -plasia: Indicates the formation or development of tissues or structures.
• -plegia: Denotes paralysis or loss of motor function in a muscle or muscle group.
• -ptosis: Refers to drooping or sagging, especially of the eyelid.
• -rrhage: Indicates excessive flow or discharge, often of blood.
• -rrhea: Refers to flow or discharge, typically abnormal.
• -rrhexis: Denotes rupture or tearing of tissues or organs.
• -sclerosis: Indicates hardening of tissues or organs.
• -spasm: Refers to an involuntary contraction of muscles.
• -stenosis: Denotes an abnormal narrowing or constriction of a body passage.
• -trophy: Indicates the condition of nutrition or growth related to an organ or tissue.
• -ac, -al, -ar, -ary, -eal, -ic, -ical, -ile, -ior, -ous, -tic: Suffixes that denote pertaining to a particular area or subject.
• -esis: Refers to an action, condition, or state.
• -ia: Denotes a specified condition, often related to disease.
• -ism: Refers to a condition or process often related to a disease or state.
• -iatry: Indicates healing or medical treatment, as in psychiatry.
• -ician: Refers to someone who practices in a specific field, such as a physician.
• -ist: Denotes specialization in a specific area of study or profession.
• -y: Indicates a condition or state.
• -icle: Refers to something small or diminutive.
• -ole: Indicates small or minute structures.
• -ule: Another term denoting something small or minute.