suffixes used in the names of specialties and practitioners
suffixes meaning
'related to" or 'pertaining to"
suffixes indicating condition or process
suffixes indicating form, size, and formation
suffixes describing diagnostic procedures
suffixes indicating therapeutic procedures
commonly used general suffixes
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Combining form: arthr/o
Meaning: Joints Term for specialty: Arthrology Term for practitioner: Arthrologist
Combining form: cardi/o
Meaning: Heart Term for specialty: Cardiology Term for practitioner: Cardiologist
Combining form: nephr/o
Meaning: Kidney(s) Term for specialty: Nephrology Term for practitioner: Nephrologist
Combining form: pulmon/o
Meaning: Lung(s) Term for specialty: Pulmonology Term for practitioner: Pulmonologist
Combining form: neur/o
Meaning: Nerve Term for specialty: Neurology Term for practitioner: Neurologist
Combining form: gastr/o
Meaning: Stomach Term for specialty: Gastroenterology Term for practitioner: Gastroenterologist
Combining form: enter/o:
Meaning: Intestines Term for specialty: Gastroenterology Term for practitioner: Gastroenterologist
Combining form: immune/o
Meaning: Immune Term for specialty: Immunology Term for practitioner: immunologist
Combining form: dermat/o
Meaning: Skin Term for specialty: Dermatology Term for practitioner: Dermatologist
Combining form: oste/o
Meaning: Bones Term for specialty: Osteology Term for practitioner: Osteologist
Combining form: path/o
Meaning: Disease Term for specialty: Pathology Term for practitioner: Pathologist
-ac Does this suffix mean "pertaining to" or "related to"; suffix indicating condition or process; indicating form, size, and formation; describing diagnostic procedures; describing therapeutic procedures; commonly used general suffixes?
Example: Cardiac meaning "related to" or "pertaining to"
-Desis: what does this word mean- give example. Does this suffix mean "pertaining to" or "related to"; suffix indicating condition or process; indicating form, size, and formation; describing diagnostic procedures; describing therapeutic procedures; commonly used general suffixes?
Meaning: Stabilization or binding Example: Arthrodesis (fusion of a joint) It indicates therapeutic procedures
-scopy: meaning? example? Does this suffix mean "pertaining to" or "related to"; suffix indicating condition or process; indicating form, size, and formation; describing diagnostic procedures; describing therapeutic procedures; commonly used general suffixes?
Meaning: The process of viewing with an instrument Example: Colonoscopy Describing diagnostic procedures
genesis: meaning? example? Does this suffix mean "pertaining to" or "related to"; suffix indicating condition or process; indicating form, size, and formation; describing diagnostic procedures; describing therapeutic procedures; commonly used general suffixes?
Meaning: Origin Example: Lysogenesis (the formation of lysins, or antibodies that cause partial or complete dissolution of the target cell.) Commonly used general suffixes
-ose: example? Does this suffix mean "pertaining to" or "related to"; suffix indicating condition or process; indicating form, size, and formation; describing diagnostic procedures; describing therapeutic procedures; commonly used general suffixes?
Example: Cellulose it means "relating to" or "pertaining to"
-gram: meaning? example? Does this suffix mean "pertaining to" or "related to"; suffix indicating condition or process; indicating form, size, and formation; describing diagnostic procedures; describing therapeutic procedures; commonly used general suffixes?
Meaning: Record Example: arteriogram (x-ray film o fan artery injected with a radiopaque contrast medium) describing diagnostic procedures
-form: meaning? example? Does this suffix mean "pertaining to" or "related to"; suffix indicating condition or process; indicating form, size, and formation; describing diagnostic procedures; describing therapeutic procedures; commonly used general suffixes?
Meaning: shape or resembling Example: Vermiform (resembling a worm) indicating form, size, and formation
-y: meaning? example? Does this suffix mean "pertaining to" or "related to"; suffix indicating condition or process; indicating form, size, and formation; describing diagnostic procedures; describing therapeutic procedures; commonly used general suffixes?
Meaning: condition or process of Example: ambulatory (able to walk) indicating a condition pr process
-cle: meaning? example? Does this suffix mean "pertaining to" or "related to"; suffix indicating condition or process; indicating form, size, and formation; describing diagnostic procedures; describing therapeutic procedures; commonly used general suffixes?
Meaning: small Example: auricle (the external ear) indicating form, size, and formation
-scope: meaning? example? Does this suffix mean "pertaining to" or "related to"; suffix indicating condition or process; indicating form, size, and formation; describing diagnostic procedures; describing therapeutic procedures; commonly used general suffixes?
Meaning: instrument used for viewing Example: arthroscope (a type of endoscope used to examine joints) describing diagnostic procedures
-eum: meaning? example? Does this suffix mean "pertaining to" or "related to"; suffix indicating condition or process; indicating form, size, and formation; describing diagnostic procedures; describing therapeutic procedures; commonly used general suffixes?
Meaning: tissue or structure Example: Periosteum (thick, fibrous, vascular membrane covering the bones, except at their extremities consisting of an outer layer of collagenous tissue...) commonly used general suffixes
-pnea: meaning? example? Does this suffix mean "pertaining to" or "related to"; suffix indicating condition or process; indicating form, size, and formation; describing diagnostic procedures; describing therapeutic procedures; commonly used general suffixes?
Meaning: breathing Example: apnea (an absence of spontaneous respiration) commonly used general suffixes
-graphy: meaning? example? Does this suffix mean "pertaining to" or "related to"; suffix indicating condition or process; indicating form, size, and formation; describing diagnostic procedures; describing therapeutic procedures; commonly used general suffixes?
Meaning: process of recording Example: amniography (a procedure used to detect placement of the placenta...) describing diagnostic procedures
-al: give an example. Does this suffix mean "pertaining to" or "related to"; suffix indicating condition or process; indicating form, size, and formation; describing diagnostic procedures; describing therapeutic procedures; commonly used general suffixes?
example: Caudal (toward the distal end of the body or an inferior position.) meaning: "relating to" or "pertaining to"
-ar: meaning? example? Does this suffix mean "pertaining to" or "related to"; suffix indicating condition or process; indicating form, size, and formation; describing diagnostic procedures; describing therapeutic procedures; commonly used general suffixes?
example: Vascular (pertaining to a blood vessel) meaning: "relating to" or "pertaining to"
-e (noun marker) meaning? example? Does this suffix mean "pertaining to" or "related to"; suffix indicating condition or process; indicating form, size, and formation; describing diagnostic procedures; describing therapeutic procedures; commonly used general suffixes?
example: Melanocyte (body cell capable of producing melanin) meaning: "relating to" or "pertaining to"
-eal: meaning? example? lDoes this suffix mean "pertaining to" or "related to"; suffix indicating condition or process; indicating form, size, and formation; describing diagnostic procedures; describing therapeutic procedures; commonly used general suffixes?
example: Congeal meaning: "relating to" or "pertaining to"
-ic: meaning? example? Does this suffix mean "pertaining to" or "related to"; suffix indicating condition or process; indicating form, size, and formation; describing diagnostic procedures; describing therapeutic procedures; commonly used general suffixes?
example: Pelvic meaning: "relating to" or "pertaining to"
-ous: meaning? example? Does this suffix mean "pertaining to" or "related to"; suffix indicating condition or process; indicating form, size, and formation; describing diagnostic procedures; describing therapeutic procedures; commonly used general suffixes?
example: Callous meaning: "relating to" or "pertaining to"
-ry: meaning? example? Does this suffix mean "pertaining to" or "related to"; suffix indicating condition or process; indicating form, size, and formation; describing diagnostic procedures; describing therapeutic procedures; commonly used general suffixes?
example: Secretory (release of chemical substances manufactured by cells of granular organs) meaning: "relating to" or "pertaining to"
-tic: meaning? example? Does this suffix mean "pertaining to" or "related to"; suffix indicating condition or process; indicating form, size, and formation; describing diagnostic procedures; describing therapeutic procedures; commonly used general suffixes?
example: Arthritic meaning: "relating to" or "pertaining to"
-emia: meaning? example? Does this suffix mean "pertaining to" or "related to"; suffix indicating condition or process; indicating form, size, and formation; describing diagnostic procedures; describing therapeutic procedures; commonly used general suffixes?
example: Anemia meaning: Conditions of the blood indicating a condition or process
-ia: meaning? example? Does this suffix mean "pertaining to" or "related to"; suffix indicating condition or process; indicating form, size, and formation; describing diagnostic procedures; describing therapeutic procedures; commonly used general suffixes?
example: Insomnia (chronic inability to sleep or to remain sleep through the night.) meaning: Condition or process indicating condition or process
-ism: meaning? example? Does this suffix mean "pertaining to" or "related to"; suffix indicating condition or process; indicating form, size, and formation; describing diagnostic procedures; describing therapeutic procedures; commonly used general suffixes?
example: Aneurism meaning: Condition or process indicating condition or process
-itis: meaning? example? Does this suffix mean "pertaining to" or "related to"; suffix indicating condition or process; indicating form, size, and formation; describing diagnostic procedures; describing therapeutic procedures; commonly used general suffixes?
example: Phlebitis meaning: Inflammation indicating a condition or process
-lysis: meaning? example? Does this suffix mean "pertaining to" or "related to"; suffix indicating condition or process; indicating form, size, and formation; describing diagnostic procedures; describing therapeutic procedures; commonly used general suffixes?
example: Hemolysis meaning: Breakdown or dissolution process indicating a condition or process
-oma: meaning? example? Does this suffix mean "pertaining to" or "related to"; suffix indicating condition or process; indicating form, size, and formation; describing diagnostic procedures; describing therapeutic procedures; commonly used general suffixes?
example: Sarcoma meaning: Tumor or neoplasm indicating a condition or process
-osis: meaning? example? Does this suffix mean "pertaining to" or "related to"; suffix indicating condition or process; indicating form, size, and formation; describing diagnostic procedures; describing therapeutic procedures; commonly used general suffixes?
example: Keratosis meaning: Condition indicating a condition or process
-ole: meaning? example? Does this suffix mean "pertaining to" or "related to"; suffix indicating condition or process; indicating form, size, and formation; describing diagnostic procedures; describing therapeutic procedures; commonly used general suffixes?
Meaning: Small Example: Arteriole Indicating form, size, and formation
-ule: meaning? example? Does this suffix mean "pertaining to" or "related to"; suffix indicating condition or process; indicating form, size, and formation; describing diagnostic procedures; describing therapeutic procedures; commonly used general suffixes?
Meaning: Small Example: Pustule Indicating form, size, and formation
-ula: meaning? example? Does this suffix mean "pertaining to" or "related to"; suffix indicating condition or process; indicating form, size, and formation; describing diagnostic procedures; describing therapeutic procedures; commonly used general suffixes?
Meaning: Small Example: Fistula Indicating form, size, and formation
-megaly: meaning? example? Does this suffix mean "pertaining to" or "related to"; suffix indicating condition or process; indicating form, size, and formation; describing diagnostic procedures; describing therapeutic procedures; commonly used general suffixes?
Meaning: Enlargement Example: Hepatomegaly Indicating form, size, and formation
-penia: meaning? example? Does this suffix mean "pertaining to" or "related to"; suffix indicating condition or process; indicating form, size, and formation; describing diagnostic procedures; describing therapeutic procedures; commonly used general suffixes?
Meaning: Abnormal reduction or lack of Example: Cytopenia Indicating form, size, and formation
-asis: meaning? example? Does this suffix mean "pertaining to" or "related to"; suffix indicating condition or process; indicating form, size, and formation; describing diagnostic procedures; describing therapeutic procedures; commonly used general suffixes?
Meaning: Formation, presence of Example: Lithiasis Indicating form, size, and formation
-plasia: meaning? example? Does this suffix mean "pertaining to" or "related to"; suffix indicating condition or process; indicating form, size, and formation; describing diagnostic procedures; describing therapeutic procedures; commonly used general suffixes?
Meaning: Formation Example: Achondroplasia Indicating form, size, and formation
-trophy: meaning? example? Does this suffix mean "pertaining to" or "related to"; suffix indicating condition or process; indicating form, size, and formation; describing diagnostic procedures; describing therapeutic procedures; commonly used general suffixes?
Meaning: Development Example: Dystrophy Indicating form, size, and formation
poiesis: meaning? example? Does this suffix mean "pertaining to" or "related to"; suffix indicating condition or process; indicating form, size, and formation; describing diagnostic procedures; describing therapeutic procedures; commonly used general suffixes?
Meaning: Formation Example: Hematopoiesis Indicating form, size, and formation
-graph: meaning? example? Does this suffix mean "pertaining to" or "related to"; suffix indicating condition or process; indicating form, size, and formation; describing diagnostic procedures; describing therapeutic procedures; commonly used general suffixes?
Meaning: Record or instrument used for making a record. Example: electrocardiograph Describing diagnostic procedures
-meter: meaning? example? Does this suffix mean "pertaining to" or "related to"; suffix indicating condition or process; indicating form, size, and formation; describing diagnostic procedures; describing therapeutic procedures; commonly used general suffixes?
Meaning: Measure or measurement Example: Sphygmometer Describing diagnostic procedures
-metry: meaning? example? Does this suffix mean "pertaining to" or "related to"; suffix indicating condition or process; indicating form, size, and formation; describing diagnostic procedures; describing therapeutic procedures; commonly used general suffixes?
Meaning: Process of measuring Example: Spectrometry Describing diagnostic procedures
-centesis: meaning? example? Does this suffix mean "pertaining to" or "related to"; suffix indicating condition or process; indicating form, size, and formation; describing diagnostic procedures; describing therapeutic procedures; commonly used general suffixes?
Meaning: Puncture to withdraw fluid or tissue Example: abdominocentesis Indicating therapeutic procedures
-iatric: meaning? example? Does this suffix mean "pertaining to" or "related to"; suffix indicating condition or process; indicating form, size, and formation; describing diagnostic procedures; describing therapeutic procedures; commonly used general suffixes?
-plasty: meaning? example? Does this suffix mean "pertaining to" or "related to"; suffix indicating condition or process; indicating form, size, and formation; describing diagnostic procedures; describing therapeutic procedures; commonly used general suffixes?
-rraphy: meaning? example? Does this suffix mean "pertaining to" or "related to"; suffix indicating condition or process; indicating form, size, and formation; describing diagnostic procedures; describing therapeutic procedures; commonly used general suffixes?
-stomy or -ostomy: meaning? example? Does this suffix mean "pertaining to" or "related to"; suffix indicating condition or process; indicating form, size, and formation; describing diagnostic procedures; describing therapeutic procedures; commonly used general suffixes?
Meaning: Creation of an artificial opening Example: Tracheostomy Indicating therapeutic procedures
-tomy: meaning? example? Does this suffix mean "pertaining to" or "related to"; suffix indicating condition or process; indicating form, size, and formation; describing diagnostic procedures; describing therapeutic procedures; commonly used general suffixes?
Meaning: Cut or incision Example: Keratotomy Indicating therapeutic procedures
-tripsy: meaning? example? Does this suffix mean "pertaining to" or "related to"; suffix indicating condition or process; indicating form, size, and formation; describing diagnostic procedures; describing therapeutic procedures; commonly used general suffixes?
-blast: meaning? example? Does this suffix mean "pertaining to" or "related to"; suffix indicating condition or process; indicating form, size, and formation; describing diagnostic procedures; describing therapeutic procedures; commonly used general suffixes?
Meaning: Immature cell Example: Cytoblast Commonly used general suffixes
-ize: meaning? example? Does this suffix mean "pertaining to" or "related to"; suffix indicating condition or process; indicating form, size, and formation; describing diagnostic procedures; describing therapeutic procedures; commonly used general suffixes?
Meaning: make; use; subject to Example: anesthetize Commonly used general suffixes
-ate: meaning? example? Does this suffix mean "pertaining to" or "related to"; suffix indicating condition or process; indicating form, size, and formation; describing diagnostic procedures; describing therapeutic procedures; commonly used general suffixes?
Meaning: make; use; subject to Example: intubate (to insert a tube into an organ or body part) Commonly used general suffixes
-stasis: meaning? example? Does this suffix mean "pertaining to" or "related to"; suffix indicating condition or process; indicating form, size, and formation; describing diagnostic procedures; describing therapeutic procedures; commonly used general suffixes?
Meaning: stop, stand Example: hemostasis (the termination of bleeding by mechanical or chemical means) Commonly used general suffixes
-algia: meaning? example? Does this suffix mean "pertaining to" or "related to"; suffix indicating condition or process; indicating form, size, and formation; describing diagnostic procedures; describing therapeutic procedures; commonly used general suffixes?
Meaning: pain Example: neuralgia (abnormal condition characterized by severe stabbing pain, caused by a variety of disorders affecting the nervous system.) Commonly used general suffixes
-dynia:meaning? example? Does this suffix mean "pertaining to" or "related to"; suffix indicating condition or process; indicating form, size, and formation; describing diagnostic procedures; describing therapeutic procedures; commonly used general suffixes?
Meaning: pain Example: arthrodynia Commonly used general suffixes
-cele: meaning? example? Does this suffix mean "pertaining to" or "related to"; suffix indicating condition or process; indicating form, size, and formation; describing diagnostic procedures; describing therapeutic procedures; commonly used general suffixes?
Meaning: pouch Example: cystocele Commonly used general suffixes
emesis: meaning? example? Does this suffix mean "pertaining to" or "related to"; suffix indicating condition or process; indicating form, size, and formation; describing diagnostic procedures; describing therapeutic procedures; commonly used general suffixes
Meaning: vomiting Example: hematemisis Commonly used general suffixes
-oid: meaning? example? Does this suffix mean "pertaining to" or "related to"; suffix indicating condition or process; indicating form, size, and formation; describing diagnostic procedures; describing therapeutic procedures; commonly used general suffixes?
Meaning: like, resembling Example: ovoid (egg shaped, oval) Commonly used general suffixes
-genic: meaning? example? Does this suffix mean "pertaining to" or "related to"; suffix indicating condition or process; indicating form, size, and formation; describing diagnostic procedures; describing therapeutic procedures; commonly used general suffixes?
Meaning: origin Example: carcinogenic (carcinogen means substance or agent that causes the development or increase the incidency of cancer.) Commonly used general suffixes
-oma: meaning? example? Does this suffix mean "pertaining to" or "related to"; suffix indicating condition or process; indicating form, size, and formation; describing diagnostic procedures; describing therapeutic procedures; commonly used general suffixes?
Meaning: tumor Example: lymphoma Commonly used general suffixes
-phobia: meaning? example? Does this suffix mean "pertaining to" or "related to"; suffix indicating condition or process; indicating form, size, and formation; describing diagnostic procedures; describing therapeutic procedures; commonly used general suffixes?
Meaning: fear Example: photophobia (fear of light with an irrational need to avoid light places) Commonly used general suffixes
-phile: meaning? example? Does this suffix mean "pertaining to" or "related to"; suffix indicating condition or process; indicating form, size, and formation; describing diagnostic procedures; describing therapeutic procedures; commonly used general suffixes?
Meaning: affinity for Example: halophile Commonly used general suffixes
-malacia: meaning? example? Does this suffix mean "pertaining to" or "related to"; suffix indicating condition or process; indicating form, size, and formation; describing diagnostic procedures; describing therapeutic procedures; commonly used general suffixes?
Meaning: softening Example: cardiomalacia Commonly used general suffixes
-ptosis: meaning? example? Does this suffix mean "pertaining to" or "related to"; suffix indicating condition or process; indicating form, size, and formation; describing diagnostic procedures; describing therapeutic procedures; commonly used general suffixes?
Meaning: drooping Example: blepharoptosis (bleph has something to do with the eyelid) Commonly used general suffixes
-spasm: meaning? example? Does this suffix mean "pertaining to" or "related to"; suffix indicating condition or process; indicating form, size, and formation; describing diagnostic procedures; describing therapeutic procedures; commonly used general suffixes?
Meaning: abrupt, forceful contraction Example: bronchiospasm Commonly used general suffixes
-rrhage: meaning? example? Does this suffix mean "pertaining to" or "related to"; suffix indicating condition or process; indicating form, size, and formation; describing diagnostic procedures; describing therapeutic procedures; commonly used general suffixes?
Meaning: bursting forth or rapid flow Example: hemmorhage Commonly used general suffixes
-rrhagia: meaning? example? Does this suffix mean "pertaining to" or "related to"; suffix indicating condition or process; indicating form, size, and formation; describing diagnostic procedures; describing therapeutic procedures; commonly used general suffixes?
Meaning: bursting forth or rapid flow Example:menorrhagia (abnormally heavy or long menstrual periods) Commonly used general suffixes
-rrhea: meaning? example? Does this suffix mean "pertaining to" or "related to"; suffix indicating condition or process; indicating form, size, and formation; describing diagnostic procedures; describing therapeutic procedures; commonly used general suffixes?
Meaning: drainage, discharge Example: diarrhea Commonly used general suffixes
-phage: meaning? example? Does this suffix mean "pertaining to" or "related to"; suffix indicating condition or process; indicating form, size, and formation; describing diagnostic procedures; describing therapeutic procedures; commonly used general suffixes?
Meaning: eat, swallow Example: bacteriophage Commonly used general suffixes
-phagia: meaning? example? Does this suffix mean "pertaining to" or "related to"; suffix indicating condition or process; indicating form, size, and formation; describing diagnostic procedures; describing therapeutic procedures; commonly used general suffixes?
Meaning: process of eating or related to eating Example: dysphagia (difficulty in swallowing) Commonly used general suffixes