Medical Terminology Suffixes

-ism, or -ismus [Latin -ismus, Greek -ismos]

(1) a condition indicated by the stem or prefix (autism, strabismus); (2) theory (neo-Darwinism).

-gen,[Greek gennan to produce]

(1) one that generates or produces (hydrogen, pathogen); (2) one that is generated or produced (parthenogen).

-osis, trichinosis

1) condition, disease, action; typically denotes production or increase (halitosis); (2) invasion or increase of parasites within an organism

-iasis; [Greek iasis infection]

Condition, infestation, pathological state, or its cause, as indicated by the stem or prefix (nematodiasis).

-megaly [Greek megas, megale big, great, full-grown, vast, high]

Denotes enlargement of the thing indicated by the root or prefix

-plasm Greek plasm anything formed or molded,(cytoplasm, neoplasm

Denotes something formed or shaped in the way, or by the thing

-lytic, [Greek lysis loosing, breaking up, parting, releasing]

Destroying, loosening, causing disintegration or decomposition

-ectasia or -ectasis, [from Greek ec- + -tasia from teinein to stretch]

Dilation of tubular vessel(s), lymphectasia, esophagectasis

-itis

Disease, inflammation

-trophy [Greek trophe] nourishment, food

Nourishment or growth of the type indicated by the stem or prefix

-dynia, Greek odyne pain

Pain (adenodynia)

-ia [Latin feminine singular ending -ia]

Pathological state

-genic,

Producing, originating (pathogenic, parthenogenetic).

-ptosis [Greek ptosis fall, collapse],nephroptosis

Sagging, downward displacement, or prolapse of the part indicated by the stem or prefix

cele [Greek kele tumor, hernia]

Swelling, tumor, hernia (cardiocele, choriocele).

algia,-algesia -algesic -algetic or -algia or -algic or -algy

[Greek algesia sense of pain] Denotes suffering, pain, or sensitivity to pain (hyperalgesia, neuralgia, myalgia

-rrhagia

abnormal flow condition (cystorrhagia- abnormal flow from the bladder)

-malacia

abnormal softening

cyte, Greek kytos hollow vessel, leukocyte, lymphocyte

cell, Cell of the type indicated by the stem or prefix, leukocyte

-rrhea

discharge

-pathy,Greek pathe suffering, misfortune

disease

-sclerosis, Greek skleros hard, arteriosclerosis

hardening, Drying

-logist

one who studies

-plegia Greek plege stroke, blow, hemiplegia

paralysis stroke or paralysis

-rrhexis

rupture

-logy

study of

-oma Greek -omata, carcinoma, sarcoma

tumor, mass,Swelling, tumor

-opsy

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