The suffix is at the end of the word and adds meaning. When building a definition of a medical term from its components, start with the meaning of the suffix. For example, hepat/itis is defined as “inflammation of the liver.”

Suffixes often indicate:

• Procedures: For example, -scopy means “visual examination”
• Conditions: For example, -itis means “inflammation”
• Diseases: For example, -oma means “tumor”

Common Suffixes

Here is a list of commonly used suffixes in medical terms. It is helpful to memorize these common suffixes as you build your knowledge of medical terminology.

• -ac: Pertaining to
• -ad: Toward
• -al: Pertaining to
• -algia, -dynia: Pain
• -ar: Pertaining to
• -ary: Pertaining to
• -cele: Protrusion
• -centesis: Surgical withdrawal of fluid
• -cide, -cidal: Kill, destroy
• -coccus: Berry shaped
• -cyte: Cell
• -eal: Pertaining to
• -ectomy: Surgical removal
• -emia: Pertaining to blood
• -esis: Condition
• -gen: Substance that produces/causes
• -genic: Produced by
• -gram: Record of
• -graph: Instrument used to record
• -graphy: A process of recording
• -ia: Condition of, diseased state, abnormal state
• -ic, -ior: Pertaining to
• -ism: State of, condition, theory
• -itis: Inflammation
• -logist: Specialist who studies and treats disorders
• -logy: Study of
• -lysis: Destruction, breakdown
• -megaly: Enlargement
• -meter: Instrument used to measure
• -metry: Process of measuring
• -oid: Resembling
• -oma: Tumor
• -opia: Vision condition
• -opsy: To view
• -osis: Abnormal condition
• -ous: Pertaining to
• -pathy: Disease, abnormality
• -penia: Lack of, deficiency
• -pexy: Surgical fixation, suspension
• -phagia: Eating
• -phobia: Intense fear of
• -plasia: Formation, development
• -plasm: Growth, substance, formation
• -plasty: Surgical reconstruction
• -plegia: Paralysis
• -pnea: Breathing
• -poiesis, -poietic: Production, manufacture of
• -ptosis: Drooping
• -rrhage: Excessive flow
• –rrhagia: Excessive flow
• -rrhaphy: Suturing in place, fixation
• -rrhea: Flow, discharge
• -rrhexis: Rupture or breaking away
• -sclerosis: Hardening
• -scope: Instrument used to visually examine
• -scopic: Visual examination
• -scopy: Process of visual examination
• -spasm: Sudden, involuntary
• -stasis: To stop
• -stomy: Artificial surgical opening
• -tome: Instrument used to cut
• -tomy: Process of incision, cutting into
• -tripsy: Crushing
• -trophic, -trophy: Growth, development

Note there are several suffixes that mean “pertaining to,” such as -ac, -al,  -ar, -ary, -eal, -ic, -ior, and -ous.

Additional suffixes will be discussed in each chapter related to specific body systems.