"Decoding Medical Terminology: A Guide to Understanding Common Suffixes in Medicine"

Medical terminology can be overwhelming, with unfamiliar words, complex phrases, and confusing abbreviations. However, understanding medical terminology is essential for healthcare professionals, as it helps to accurately describe, diagnose, and treat medical conditions. Many medical terms have roots, prefixes, and suffixes, and understanding these components can help make sense of the meaning behind the terms. In this blog, we will focus on common medical suffixes and their meanings, including how they can be used to describe medical conditions, anatomical structures, and medical procedures. By the end of this blog, you will have a better understanding of medical terminology and feel more confident in your ability to communicate effectively with other healthcare professionals. So, let's dive into the world of medical suffixes and explore how they can help us better understand the complex language of medicine.

COMMON SUFFIXES

SUFFIX	MEANING	EXAMPLE OF MEDICAL TERM
-ac	Pertaining to	Cardiac
-blast, -blasto, -blastic	Bud; Germ	Myeloblast
-cyte, -cytic	Cell	Thrombocyte
-dynia	Pain; Swelling	Thoracodynia
-eal, -ial	Pertaining to	Esophageal
-ectasis	Expansion; Dilation	Atelectasis
-emia	Blood condition	Anemia
-ia	Condition	Hemophilia
-iasis	Condition; Formation of	Psoriasis
-ism	Condition	Hypothyroidism
-ites, -itis	Inflammation	Arthritis
-ity	Pertaining to	Immunity
-ium	Structure or tissue	Epithelium
-lysis, -lytic	Breakdown; Destruction	Osteolytic
-malacia	Softening	Osteomalacia
-megaly	Enlargement	Acromegaly
-oid	Resembling	Arachnoid trabeculae
-oma	Tumor	Angiosarcoma
-osis	Condition; Usually abnormal	Endometriosis
-ous	Pertaining to	Aqueous
-pathy	Disease	Lymphadenopathy
-penia	Deficiency; Lack of	Thrombocytopenia
-phagia, -phagy	Eating; Swallowing	Dysphagia
-phasia	Speech	Aphasia
-plasia, -plastic	Growth	Aphasia
-plegia	Paralysis	Hemiplegia
-pnea	Breathing	Sleep apnea
-poiesis	Production	Hemopoiesis
-ptosis	Falling; Dropping	Apotosis
-rrhage, -rrhagic	Bleeding	Hemorrhage
-rrhea	Flow or discharge	Diarrhea
-sclerosis	Hardening	Arteriosclerosis

PROCEDURE SUFFIXES

SUFFIX	MEANING	EXAMPLE OF MEDICAL TERMS
-centesis	Surgical puncture to remove fluid	Thoracentesis
-desis	Surgical binding	Pleurodesis
-ectomy	Cut out; Removal	Mastectomy
-gram	Record; Picture	Electrocardiogram
-graph	Instrument used to create a record	Electrocardiograph
-graphy	To record or take a picture	Electrocardiography
-meter	Device used for measuring	Sphygmomanometer
-opsy	Visual examination	Biopsy
-ostomy	Opening	Colostomy
-otomy	Incision	Laparotomy
-pexy	Surgical fixation	Oophoropexy
-plasty	Surgical reconstruction	Vertbroplasty
-scope	For examining	Endoscope
-scopy	Examine	Endoscopy