Which Of The Following Word Elements Refers To Blood

Basic Word Elements

There are three basic word elements: prefix, word root (with a combining vowel), and suffix. Not all medical terms contain all three of these elements and some terms contain more than one of each element. At first, this may seem confusing, but it will make sense as the course progresses.

A prefix is located at the beginning of a word. As mentioned before, some medical terms will not contain a prefix. When there is a prefix, the prefix serves to modify the word in some manner. Prefixes usually signify a number, time, position, direction, or negation (absence of).

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Let’s look at some examples:

Perhaps you are familiar with the terms prenatal and postnatal. Nat/o is the main part of the word, or combining form, which means birth. Pre- is a prefix which means before. Post- is a prefix that means after. When you put these meanings together, prenatal means before birth and postnatal means after birth.

Another example is febrile, which means with fever. If you add the prefix, a- to febrile, the meaning of the word is completely changed because a- means without. Therefore, afebrile means without or no fever.

As you can see, the prefix can completely change the meaning of a word. Therefore, it is very important to learn the meanings of prefixes to correctly interpret medical terms.

Both prefixes and suffixes are combined with the other basic element of a medical word – the word root/combining form.

Defining Medical Words

After you learn prefixes, suffixes, and the word roots related to the various body systems, you will be able to roughly define the medical term by defining the various word parts. In general, you will define the word parts in the following order:

Define the suffix or last part of the word first.

Next, define the first part of the word which may be a word root or a prefix.

Finally, define the middle part(s) of the word.

So, let’s put that into other words. Define the words in this order:

last

first

middle

As an example, look at the word macro/card/ia. Define the suffix or last part of the word first. In this case, -ia means a condition. Next, define the first part of the word which in this case is a prefix, macro-. Macro- means large. Next, define the middle part of the word which in this case is a word root, card. Card means heart. When put together, you get the definition for macro/card/ia: a condition of a large heart. The definitions sometimes have to be refined, but you can use the last, first, middle method of defining a medical term to get a good sense of what the word means.

Building Medical Words

Convention has us follow three rules for building medical words. Those rules are:

A word root links a suffix that begins with a vowel.

A combining form (WR + CV) links a suffix that begins with a consonant.

When combining two word-roots (which makes a compound word), link them together using the combining form (i.e., the first word root will have a combining vowel added to it that links it to the second word-root).

Let’s take the suffix -itis which means inflammation. The suffix begins with a vowel, so the preceding word root does not use a combining vowel to link it. As an example, take the word root gastr- which means stomach. Link the word root and suffix and you get gastritis. Note that the word does not use the combining vowel “o” to link gastr- and -itis. In other words, the word is not gastroitis.

When the suffix begins with a consonant, use a combining form of the word root (which is the WR + CV) to link to the suffix. Take the suffix -dynia which means pain. The suffix begins with a consonant, so the preceding word root must be in its combining form (WR + CV) in order to properly link the two. As an example, for the word root ot- which means ear, you must add a combining vowel (o) linking it to the suffix, -dynia. You get the word otodynia (ot/o/dynia) which means pain in the ear, or earache. Note the word is not otdynia. It is important to note that in most instances, the combining vowel used to make combining forms is the letter o. There are instances, however, where other vowels will be used.

Finally, you often build compound words in your daily life. An example is base+ball, or baseball. Another example is chalk+board, or chalkboard. When building compound words, you are simply putting two words together to make a new word. In medical terminology, you also will build compound words. In most cases, linking the word roots in medical words to make a compound word requires adding a combining vowel. Here is an example: osteoarthritis (oste/o/arthr/itis). The word roots oste (bone) and arthr (joint) are linked with the combining vowel “o”. To define the word you just built, define the last part first and then the beginning of the word and subsequent terms in order. Following this guideline, osteoarthritis is defined as inflammation (itis) of the bone (oste) and joint (arthr).

Don’t worry if you are still a little bit confused about this process. As we learn more terms and work through the activities, this will become more clear. Eventually, you should feel confident about your ability to build and define medical terms based on their word parts.

One last word of caution: although knowledge of the various parts of medical terms will give you a general idea of the meaning of the term, a medical dictionary will usually provide more detail and specific information relating to the term. For example, the term “appendicitis” can be defined as inflammation of the appendix by its word parts -itis (inflammation) and appendic/o (appendix). If you look it up in a medical dictionary – in this case, Taber’s Cyclopedic Medical Dictionary, 20th edition, the word is defined as “Inflammation of the vermiform appendix, caused by blockage of the lumen of the appendix and following by infection. It may be acute, subacute, or chronic and occasionally is difficult to diagnose because many other illnesses may cause acute abdominal pain.” As you can see, the medical dictionary provides important additional information.

Pronunciation

The pronunciation of medical terms can be challenging. Medical dictionaries can be very helpful in providing pronunciation guides. Most dictionaries include phonetic pronunciation in parentheses after the word. The following are some general pronunciation guidelines:

Letters

Guidelines

ae, oe

Pronounce only the ē (long e)

es

May be pronounced as a separate syllable when located at the end of a word

g

Pronounce as “j” when located before “e” “i” and “y”

Pronounce as “g” when located before other letters

c

Pronounce as “s” when located before “e” “i” and “y”

Pronounce as “k” when located before other letters

i

When located at the end of a word, it generally indicates a pleural. Pronounce as a long i or long e

pn

Pronounce only the “n” (the “p” is silent)

ps

Pronounce only the “s” (the “p” is silent)

There are also several online resources that can help you with pronunciation. Word of caution: Different providers may pronounce terms differently, depending on where they attended medical school and/or what country they are from.

Pleural Endings

Medical terminology also has different rules for pleural endings. The following is a list of common pleural endings.

Terms ending with “a”

Add e (ae)

Terms ending with “is”

Change to “es”

Terms ending with “ex” or “ix”

Change to “ices”

Terms ending with “on”

Change to “a”

Terms ending with “um”

Change to “a”

Terms ending with “us”

Change to “i”

Terms ending with “itis”

Change to “idites”

Terms ending with “nx”

Change to “nges”

Terms ending with “y”

Change to “ies”

Terms ending with “x”

Change to “ces”

Prefixes

What is a prefix?

P = prefix or word element that is added to the beginning of the word root.

Some medical terms have prefixes while others do not. If they are present, they are added before the word root. It is important to note that adding a prefix changes the meaning of the word root. Prefixes usually signify a number, time, position, direction or negation

Note: When writing a prefix, use a hyphen after the prefix to indicate it is a prefix and a word element will follow the prefix. Examples include bi- (which means two), macro- (which means large), and micro- (which means small).

List of Common Prefixes

The following is a list of common prefixes. Although different medical terminology books may have slightly different lists and slightly different meanings, the following is a fairly inclusive list.

Prefix

Pronunciation

Meaning

Example

a-

an-

ā

ăn

without, absence of, lack of

afebrile (without fever)

ab-

ăb

away from

abduction (away from the midline of the body)

ad-

ăd

toward, near

adductioni (toward the midline of the body)

ambi-

ăm-bē

both sides

ambidextrous (using both hands)

ante-

ăn-tē

before, forward, in front of

antemortem (before death)

anti-

ăn-tē

against

antidote (a therapeutic substance that counteracts the actions of a different substance)

apo-

ā-pō

off, away from, separated from, derived from

apomorphine (a morphine derivative formed by removing one molecule of water from the morphine molecule)

auto-

ăw-tō

self

autobiography (an account of someone’s life written by that person)

bi-

bī

two, both

bilateral (both sides of the body)

brady-

bră-dē

slow

bradycardia (pertaining to slow heart beat)

circum-

sĕr-kŭm

around

circumflex (bending around)

con-

kŏn

together, with

congenital (present at birth, born together)

contra-

kŏn-trŭh

against, opposite

contraception (the prevention of conception)

de-

dē

without, down, from

deactivation (process of making something inactive)

di-

dī

twice, two, double

diacidic (containing two acidic hydrogen ions)

dia-

dī-ŭh

through, across

diameter (the measure from one point to its opposite point)

diplo-

dĭ-plō

double

diploia (double vision)

dys-

dĭs

painful, difficult, abnormal

dysthyroid (abnormal thyroid functioning)

ec-

ecto-

ĕk

ĕk-tō

out, outside

ectoderm (the outermost layer of cells of an embryo in the early stages of development)

en-

end-

endo-

ĕn

ĕnd

ĕn-dō

in, within, inner, inside

endobiotic (pertaining to an organism living parasitidcally in the host)

epi-

ĕ-pē

above, upon

epigastric (pertaining to above the stomach)

eso-

ĕ-sō

inward

esophoria (tendency of the eyes to deviate inward)

eu-

ū

good, normal

euphoric (pertaining to good feelings)

ex-

exo-

extra-

ĕks

ĕk-sō

ĕk-stră

away from, outside, outwards, external

extrapleural (pertaining to the outside of the pleura or pleural cavity)

hemi-

hĕm-ē

half

hemiplegia (paralysis on one side of the body)

hetero-

hĕt-ĕr-ō

different

heterosexuality (attraction between persons of the opposite sex)

homo-

hō-mō

same

homosexuality (attraction between persons of the same sex)

hyper-

hī-pĕr

excessive, above

hypertension (high blood pressure)

hypo-

hī-pō

deficient, below

hypotension (low blood pressure)

in-

ĭn

without, not, absence of, in, within, inner

inhalation (breathing in)

infra-

ĭn-fră

beneath, below

Inframarginal (pertaining to below any margin or edge)

inter-

ĭn-tĕr

between

intervertebral (pertaining to between the vertebrae)

intra-

ĭn-trŭh

in, within, inner

intramuscular (pertaining to within the muscle)

iso-

ī-sō

same, equal

isoenergetic (pertaining to exerting equal force)

juxta-

jŭks-tŭh

near

juxtaglomerular (pertaining to close or adjoining a renal glomerulus)

macro-

mă-krō

large

macroglossia (pertaining to the enlargement of the tongue)

mal-

măl

bad, abnormal, inadequate

malnourished (inadequately nourished)

mega-

mā-gŭh

great, large

megacephaly (an abnormally large head)

meta-

mĕ-tŭh

change, beyond

metachromatism (condition regarding any color change)

micro-

mī-krō

small

microcolon (small colon)

mono-

mŏ-nō

one, single

monochromatic (pertaining to having only one color)

morpho-

mŏr-fō

shape

morphology (study of the configuration or structure of plants and animals)

multi-

mŭl-tē

many, much

multigravidia (pregnant woman who has been pregnant one or more times previously)

neo-

nē-ō

new

Neonatal (pertaining to the period of time just after birth; newborn)

nulli-

nŭl-ĭ

none

nullipara (woman who has never borne a child)

oligo-

ŏ-lĕ-gō

deficiency, scanty, little

oliguria (condition of abnormally low excretion of urine)

pan-

păn

all

pantalgia (pain involving the entire body)

para-

pă-rŭh

beside, near

paracystic (pertaining to alongside or near the urinary bladder)

peri-

pă-rĭ

beside, near, around, about

periapical (pertaining to at or around the apex of the root of a tooth)

poly-

pŏ-lē

many, much

polydipsia (extreme thirst)

post-

pōst

after, following

postpartum (after childbirth)

pre-

prē

before

precancer (growth or group of cells which is not currently malignant but may become cancerous)

pseudo-

soo-dō

false, deceptive

pseudodementia (condition of exaggerated indifference to people and surroundings but without any actual mental impairment)

quadri-

kwă-drĕ

four

quadriplegia (paralysis of all four limbs)

re-

rē

behind, back, again

reactivate (to render active again)

retro-

rĕ-trō

behind, back

retrojection (the washing out of a cavity by the backward flow of an injected fluid)

semi-

sĕ-mē

partial, half

semicomatose (mild coma in which a patient can be awoken)

sub-

sŭb

below, beneath, under, less than

subcutaneous (under the skin)

super-

soo-pĕr

excessive, above, in the upper part

superficial (located near the surface of the body)

supra-

soo-prŭh

excessive, above, upon

supracostal (pertaining to above the ribs)

syn-

sĭn

with, together

syndrome (a group of symptoms regularly occurring together and constituting a disease)

tachy-

tă-kē

rapid

tachycardia (condition of a rapid heart beat)

tetra-

tĕ-trŭh

four

tetrapeptide (a compound of four amino acids)

tox-

tŏks

poison, toxin

toxicity (the state of being poisonous)

trans-

trănz

through, across

transurethral (pertaining to across the urethra)

tri-

trī

three

triad (a collection of three things having something in common)

ultra-

ŭl-trŭh

beyond, extreme

ultraviolet (denoting the electromagnetic rays beyond the violet end of the visible spectrum)

un-

ŭn

not, reversal, removal

unconscious (not conscious)

uni-

ū-nĭ

one

unilateral (pertaining to one side of the body)

As you study these prefixes, you will find some familiar terms. It can be helpful to associate the prefixes with words you already know to help the learning process. Many prefixes have the same or similar meanings and it can be helpful to make note of those prefixes.

You may also notice that many of the prefixes can be categorized into one of the following groups:

Size, quantity, number

Location, direction, timing

It is highly recommended that you study these terms every day. Using tools, such as flashcards can help you retain the information. An easy way to make flashcards is to use a 3×5 card and write the prefix on one side and the definition on the other side. You may also want to use electronic flashcards via programs such as quizlet.com. The important thing is to find the method that works best for you and practice every day.

Suffixes

Suffixes are word endings. In other words, they are word parts that are added to the end of words. They are added to the end of a medical term. Suffixes are connected or linked to word roots often by a combining vowel. The combining vowel is typically o, but it might also be any one of the other vowels.

When the suffix begins with a vowel, the word root is linked simply by itself (no combining vowel such as o will be used). An example is gastr/itis. Since -itis begins with a vowel, the combining vowel is not required. When the suffix begins with a consonant, a combining vowel is used to link the word root to the suffix. An example is gastr/o/logy. Since -logy begins with a consonant, a combining vowel is used to connect the two word-parts.

Like prefixes, suffixes convey meaning, so they can alter the meaning of the word root. Suffixes usually denote either a procedure, condition, disease, or a part of speech.

Note: When writing only the suffix, use a dash before it. In the examples used above, the suffix, “itis” would be written as -itis and the suffix “logy” would be written as -logy. The hyphen indicates there is another word element that precedes the suffix.

List of Common Suffixes

The following is a list of common suffixes. Although different medical terminology books may have slightly different lists and slightly different meanings, the following is a fairly inclusive list

.

Suffix

Pronunciation

Meaning

Example

-ac

ăk

pertaining to

cardiac (pertaining to the heart)

-acusia

-acusis

a-koo-zē-ŭh

a-koo-sĭs

hearing

Anacusis (total loss of hearing)

-al

ăl

pertaining to

renal (pertaining to the kidneys)

-algesia

-algesic

-algia

ăl-jē-zē-ŭh

ăl-jē-zē-ĭk

ăl-jē-ŭh

pain

neuralgia (a spasm of pain running along a nerve)

-ar

ăr

pertaining to

ventricular (pertaining to a ventricle)

-ary

ăr-ē

pertaining to

coronary (pertaining to the heart)

-cele

sēl

hernia

vesicocele (hernia of the bladder)

-centesis

sĕn-tē-sĭs

surgical puncture

thoracentesis (surgical puncture into the chest/pleural cavity)

-cidal

-cide

sī-dăl

sīd

destroying, killing

bactericide (a substance that kills bacteria)

-clasis

-clast

klăs-ĭs

klăst

to break

lithoclast (breaking or crushing a stone)

-constriction

kŏn-strĭk-shŭn

narrowing

vasoconstriction (narrowing of blood vessels)

-cusis

koo-sĭs

hearing

presbycusis (loss of hearing as part of the aging process)

-cyte

-cytic

sīt

sī-tĭk

cell

leukocyte (white blood cell)

-cytosis

sī-tō-sĭs

an abnormal condition of cells

leukocytosis (an abnormally large number increase of white blood cells)

-derma

dĕr-mŭh

skin

scleroderma (thickening of the skin with eventual atrophy of the epidermis)

-desis

dē-sĭs

surgical fixation or binding of bone or joint

arthrodesis (binding together or surgical stiffening of a joint)

-dipsia

dĭp-sē-ŭh

thirst

polydipsia (excessive thirst)

-dynia

dĭn-ē-ŭh

pain

urodynia (pain when urinating)

-eal

ē-ăl

pertaining to

appendiceal (pertaining to an appendix)

-ectasis

ĕk-tă-sĭs

dilation

bronchiectasis (dilation of the bronchi)

-ectomy

ĕk-tō-mē

excision, surgical removal

splenectomy (surgical removal of the spleen)

-edema

ĕ-dē-mŭh

swelling (usually due to excessive fluid in the tissues)

angioedema (fluid build-up of the vessels under the skin)

-emesis

ĕ-mĕ-sĭs

vomiting

hematemesis (vomiting of blood)

-emia

ē-mē-ŭh

a condition of the blood

hypoglycemia (condition of low blood sugar)

-esthesia

ĕs-thē-zē-ŭh

sensation

anesthesia (a state characterized by loss of feeling either from administration of a chemical agent or disease pathology)

-gen

-genesis

-genic

-genous

jĕn

jĕn-ĕ-sĭs

jēn-ĭk

jēn-ŭs

creating, producing, coming to be

ovogenesis (creation of an ovum)

-gram

grăm

record

angiogram (record of the size, shape, and location of the heart and blood vessels)

-graph

grăf

recording instrument

radiograph (the sensitized film/plate used to create radiographic images)

-graphy

gră-fē

process of recording

angiography (diagnostic or therapeutic radiography procedure of the heart and blood vessels)

-gravida

gră-vĭ-dŭh

pregnant woman

multigravidia (pregnant woman who has been pregnant one or more times previously)

-ia

ē-ŭh

condition

myasthenia (condition of absence of muscle strength)

-ial

ē-ăl

pertaining to

intracranial (pertaining to within the cranium or skull)

-iasis

ī-ŭh-sĭs

pathological condition or state

nephrolithiasis (pathological condition or disease in which stones are present in the kidneys)

-iatrics

ī-ŭh-trĭks

field of medicine

pediatrics (medical specialty concerned with the development and care of children)

-iatrist

-ist

ī-ŭh-trĭst

ĭst

specialist

psychiatrist (specialist in the field of psychiatry)

-iatry

ī-ŭh-trē

field of medicine

psychiatry (medical specialty concerned with mental disorders and diseases)

-ic

ĭk

pertaining to

gastric (pertaining to the stomach)

-ical

ĭ-kăl

pertaining to

cervical (pertaining to the neck or cervix)

-ician

ĭ-shŭn

specialist

clinician (health professional or specialist engaged in clinical practice)

-ism

ĭ-zŭm

condition, state of

hypothyroidism (condition in which there are inadequate levels of thyroid hormone)

-itis

ī-tĭs

inflammation

colitis (inflammation of the colon)

-kinesia

-kinesis

kĭ-nē-zē-ŭh

kĭ-nē-sĭs

movement

hypokinesia (decreased motor movement/reaction to stimulus)

-lepsy

-leptic

lĕp-sē

lĕp-tĭk

seizure

epileptic (relating to or suffering from epileptic seizures)

-lith

lĭth

stone

nephrolith (kidney stone)

-logist

-ologist

lō-jĭst

ŏl-ō-jĭst

specialist in the study of

pathologist (specialist who has been trained to examine tissues, cells, and specimens of body fluids for evidence of disease)

-logy

-ology

lō-jē

ŏl-ō-jē

study of

pathology (the study of the nature and cause of diease)

-lysis

lī-sĭs

destruction, to break down, to destroy

cytolysis (destruction of living cells)

-malacia

mŭh-lā-sē-ŭh

softening

tracheomalacia (degeneration of the elasticity and connective tissues of the trachea)

-megaly

mĕg-ŭh-lē

enlargement

gastromegaly (enlargement of the stomach)

-meter

mē-tĕr

measuring instrument

oximeter (an electronic device used to measure oxygen saturation)

-metry

mĕ-trē

measurement

oximetry (the measurement of oxygen saturation)

-necrosis

nĕ-krō-sĭs

tissue death

osteonecrosis (the death of a segment of bone)

-oid

ōĭd

resembling

lipoid (resembling fat)

-ole

ōl

small

arteriole (small artery)

-oma

ō-mŭh

tumor

lipoma (non-cancerous fatty tumor)

-opia

-opsis

-opsia

-opsy

ō-pē-ŭh

ŏp-sĭs

ō-sē-ŭh

ŏp-sē

vision

dysopsia (defective vision)

-ory

ōr-ē

pertaining to

respiratory (pertaining to respiration)

-osis

ō-sĭs

abnormal condition

anthracosis (abnormal condition of carbon in the lungs from inhaling coal dust)

-osmia

ŏz-mē-ŭh

smell, odor

dysosmia (distortion of normal smells)

-ous

oos

pertaining to

erythematous (pertaining to redness)

-oxia

ŏk-sē-ŭh

oxygen

anoxia (no oxygen)

-paresis

pŭh-rē-sĭs

slight or partial paralysis, weakness

Monoparesis (weakness affecting one limb)

-partum

părt-ŭm

childbirth, labor

postpartum (after childbirth)

-pathy

pă-thē

disease

myopathy (disease of the muscle)

-pause

pawz

stopping

menopause (stopping menses)

-penia

pē-nē-ŭh

deficiency

leukopenia (abnormal decrease in white blood cells)

-pepsia

pĕp-sē-ŭh

digestion

hyperpepsia (abnormally rapid digestion)

-pexy

pĕk-sē

surgical fixation

enteropexy (fixation of a segment of the intestine to the abdominal wall)

-phage

-phagia

fāj

fāj-ē-ŭh

eating, swallowing

macrophage (a large white blood cell that “eats” particles, such as bacteria, viruses, fungi, and parasites)

-phasia

fāz-ē-ŭh

speech

dysphasia (inability to arrange words in an understandable way)

-phobia

fō-bē-ŭh

fear

aerophobia (abnormal and extreme dread of fresh air or air in motion)

-plasia

-plasm

plā-zē-ŭh

plă-zŭm

formation, growth

neoplasm (an abnormal tissue that grows more rapidly than normal)

-plastic

plăs-tĭk

pertaining to formation, growth

anaplastic (relating to growing without form or structure)

-plasty

plăs-tē

surgical repair

rhinoplasty (repair of a partial or complete defect of the nose)

-plegia

plē-jē-ŭh

paralysis

hemiplegia (paralysis of one side of the body)

-plegic

plē-jĭk

pertaining to paralysis

hemiplegic (pertaining to hemiplegia)

-pnea

nē-ŭh

breathing

orthopnea (discomfort when breathing, partially or completely relieved by sitting or standing)

-pneic

nē-ĭk

pertaining to breathing

hypopneic (breathing that is slower or more shallow than normal)

-prandial

prăn-dē-ăl

meal

postprandial (after eating a meal)

-ptosis

tō-sĭs

drooping, prolapse, downward displacement

gastroptosis (downward displacement of the stomach)

-rrhage

-rrhagia

rĭj

ră-jē-ŭh

bursting forth

metrorrhagia (any irregular bleeding from the uterus between periods)

-rrhaphy

ră-fē

suture, suturing

hysterorrhaphy (sutural repair of a lacerated uterus)

-rrhea

rē-ŭh

flow, discharge

diarrhea (an abnormally frequent discharge of fluid fecal matter from the bowel)

-rrhexis

rĕk-sĭs

rupture

colporrhexis (rupture or tearing of the abdominal wall)

-salpinx

săl-pĭnks

tube (fallopian or eustachean)

myosalpinx (the muscular tissue of the fallopian tube)

-sclerosis

sklĕr-ō-sĭs

abnormal condition of hardening

arteriosclerosis (disease of the arterial vessels marked by thickening, hardening, and loss of elasticity in the arterial walls)

-scope

skōp

viewing instrument

endoscope (a device used to observe the inside of a hollow organ, cavity or tissue plane)

-scopy

skō-pē

visual examination

endoscopy (visual examination of body organs or cavities using an endoscope)

-spasm

spă-zŭm

sudden, involuntary contracture

vasospasm (spasm of a blood vessel)

-stasis

cessation, stopping

homeostasis (the state of dynamic equilibrium)

-static

stă-tĭk

at rest

hemostatic (arresting or stopping a hemorrhage)

-stenosis

stĕ-nō-sĭs

narrowing, stricture

urethrostenosis (narrowing of the urethra)

-stomy

stō-mē

mouthlike opening

colostomy (the opening of a portion of the colon through the abdominal wall)

-therapy

thĕr-ŭh-pē

treatment

immunotherapy (the use of natural and synthetic substances to stimnulate or suppress the immune response)

-thorax

thōr-ăks

chest

hemothorax (blood in the pleural cavity)

-tic

tĭk

pertaining to

paracytic (pertaining to cells other than those normally present)

-tocia

tō-sē-ŭh

childbirth, labor

dystocia (slow or difficult labor)

-tome

tōm

cutting instrument

dermatome (an instrument use to cut thin slices of skin for transplantation)

-tomy

tō-mē

cutting into, incision

episiotomy (surgical incision of the vulva to prevent laceration at the time of delivery or to facilitate vaginal surgery)

-tous

tŭs

pertaining to

epitheliomatous (pertaining to the epithelioma)

-tripsy

trĭp-sē

crushing

lithotripsy (the process of breaking up kidney or gallbladder stones into small fragments)

-trophy

trō-fē

nourishment, growth

hypertrophy (an increase in the number or size of cells)

-ule

ūl

small

macule (a stain, a speck on the surface of the skin – freckle)

-uresis

ū-rē-sĭs

urination

enuresis (bedwetting – involuntary passage of urine, usually occurring at night or during sleep)

-uria

ū-rē-ŭh

urine

oliguria (small amount of urine output – less than 400 ml/day)

Most suffixes fall into one of the following general categories:

Action/movement

Diseases/disorders/conditions

Instruments

Procedures/treatments

Sensory/feelings

Specialties/specialists

There are 12 suffixes that mean “pertaining to.” These include:

-ac

-al

-ar

-ary

-eal

-ial

-ic

-ical

-ory

-ous

-tic

-tous

Some students have difficulty remembering all of these. Do your best, but be sure NOT to confuse -ia with the 12 suffixes that mean “pertaining to.” The meaning of -ia is condition.

Another area in which students sometimes become confused when learning suffixes are the differences between -graph and -graphy, -meter and -metry, -scope and -scopy, and -tome and -tomy. One way to help you remember is that the words that mean a procedure end with “y” while the words that refer to instruments end with a different letter.

-graph

recording instrument

-graphy

process of recording

-meter

measuring instrument

-metry

measurement

-scope

viewing instrument

-scopy

visual examination

-tome

cutting instrument

-tomy

cutting into, incision

Although the “p” is silent in suffixes such as -pnea, -pneic, and -ptosis, it can be helpful to add “pŭh” before the actual pronunciation when you practice memorizing these terms so you don’t forget about the “p.” Just keep in mind that the “p” is actually silent.

As you reviewed the list of suffixes and the examples provided, you may have noticed that some of the examples consisted only of a prefix and suffix while others contained word roots. For now, do not worry about the word roots. You will learn them as we study each body system. The examples were provided to help you recognize how the various word elements work together to build medical terms.

Source: https://t-tees.com
Category: WHICH