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Chapter 4:Suffixes

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Learning OutcomesDescribe how suffixes are put together Recognize/use suffixes related to sensation

and feelingsRecognize/use suffixes related to conditions

or symptomsRecognize/use suffixes related to body

processes

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Learning Outcomes (Cont.)

Recognize/use suffixes related to body parts or chemical elements

Recognize/use suffixes related to surgical or procedural processes

Recognize/use suffixes related to pathology or diagnosis

Interpret and use common miscellaneous suffixes

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SuffixesPrefixes = beginning of root wordSuffixes = end of the root word or combining

formSuffixes = action

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SuffixesActs like an adjective indicating:

Sensation and FeelingsConditions SymptomsBody processesSurgical/Procedural processesPathologyDiagnosis

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SuffixesPrefixes and suffixes are going to be used

over and over to match different roots to create a different meaning!

Cardiologist and NeurologistsSuffix –ist, one who studies

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DermatitisDermatitis

dermat(o)- [skin] root word-itis [inflammation] suffix

Meaning: inflammation of the skin

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GastralgiaGastralgia

gastr(o)- [stomach] root word-algia [discomfort, pain] suffix

Meaning: stomach-ache/pain

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HepatomegalyHepatomegaly

hepat(o)- [liver] root word-megaly [enlargement] suffix

Meaning: enlarged liver 

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Putting it TogetherThe KEY to mastering medical terminology is

learning word roots for each body system

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Suffixes (Sensation/Feeling)-algia pain-asthenia weakness-desis binding-dynia pain-esthesia sensation

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Suffixes (Sensation/Feeling)-kinesia movement-kinesis movement-phobia fear-phonia sound-phoria feeling, carrying

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Suffixes (Conditions/Symptoms)-cele hernia-cytosis condition of cells-ectasia expansion; dilation-ectasis expanding; dilating-edema swelling

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Suffixes (Conditions/Symptoms)-ema condition-emesis vomiting-iasis pathological condition or

state; presence of-ism condition, disease-itis (-itides) inflammation

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Suffixes (Conditions/Symptoms)-lepsy seizures-leptic pertaining to seizures-lithiasis presence of stones-mania obsession; madness-megaly enlargement

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Suffixes (Conditions/Symptoms)-oma (pl. -omata) tumor, neoplasm-opia vision-opsia vision-osis (pl. -oses) condition, state,

process-paresis slight paralysis, feelings

of numbness and tingling

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Suffixes (Conditions/Symptoms)-pathy disease-penia deficiency, small, fewer-philia attraction; affinity for-phrenia of the mind-phthisis wasting away

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Suffixes (Conditions/Symptoms)-physis growing-plegia paralysis-plegic pertaining to paralysis-ptosis falling down; drooping-rrhea to flow or discharge

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Suffixes (conditions/symptoms)-rrhagia excessive bleeding -rrhexis rupture-trophic pertaining to nutrition-trophy nutrition

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Suffixes (Body Processes)-blast immature, forming-cidal destroying, killing-cide destroying, killing-crine secreting-malacia softening

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Suffixes (Body Processes)-para bearing-parous producing, bearing-pepsia digestion-phage, -phaga eating, devouring-phagy swallowing

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Suffixes (Body Processes)-phasia speaking-phoresis carrying-plasia formation,

development, growth

-plastic forming-pnea breath

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Suffixes (Body Processes)-poiesis production, formation-poietic pertaining to

production-poietin substance that

produces -para bearing-porosis lessening in density

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Suffixes (Body Processes)-rrhage discharging heavily-rrhea a flowing, a flux-schisis splitting-somnia sleep-spasm contraction

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Suffixes (Body Processes) -stalsis contraction-stasis stopping, constant-stenosis narrowing

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Suffixes(Body part/Chemical element)-cyte cell-derma skin-emia blood-emic relating to blood-globin protein

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Suffixes(Body part/Chemical element)-globulin protein-oxia oxygen-plakia plaque-plasm thing formed-uria urine

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Suffixes (Surgical/Procedures Processes)

-ectomy removal of part or all of an organ or

body part-lysis destruction of-lytic pertaining to destruction -ostomy opening to the outside of the body

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Suffixes (Surgical/Procedures Processes)

-pexy fixation, usually done surgically

-plasty surgical repair-rrhaphy surgical suturing-static, -stasis maintaining a state

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Suffixes (Surgical/Procedures Processes)

-stomy opening-tome cutting instrument,

segment-tomy cutting operation

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Suffixes (Pathology/Diagnosis)-crit separate-gen producer-genesis origin-genic produced by-gram a recording

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Suffixes (Pathology/Diagnosis)-graph recording instrument-graphy process of recording-meter measuring device-metry measurement-opsy view of

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Suffixes (Pathology/Diagnosis)-pheresis removal-phil attraction, affinity for-scope instrument -scopy use of an instrument

for observing

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Additional Suffixes-ad toward-clasis breaking-clast breaking instrument-form in the shape of-ic pertaining to

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Additional Suffixes-ics treatment, practice,

body of knowledge-logist one who studies-logy study, practice-oid like, resembling-phylaxis protection, prevention

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Additional Suffixes-plegic one who is paralyzed-stat agent to maintain a

state of equilibrium

-tropia turning-tropic turning toward-tropy attracted to target

structures-version turning

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Chapter ReviewDescribe how suffixes are put together Recognize/use suffixes related to sensation

and feelingsRecognize/use suffixes related to conditions

or symptomsRecognize/use suffixes related to body

processes

McGraw-Hill © 2013 by The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. All rights reserved.

4-38

Chapter Review (Cont.)Recognize/use suffixes related to body parts

or chemical elementsRecognize/use suffixes related to surgical or

procedural processesRecognize/use suffixes related to pathology

or diagnosisInterpret and use common miscellaneous

suffixes