A suffix is the ending of a term that usually modifies the meaning of the word root depending on who or what is interacting with it or what is happening to it. Just like prefixes, the definition of a suffix does not change from word to word.
- Appendicitis = Inflammation of the Appendix
- Dermatitis = Inflammation of the Skin
The suffix, -itis, had the same meaning in both medical terms, but the definition of the whole term changed because of the word root.
Here’s another example of how this works. Think about all of the medical specialties out there in terms of specialty physicians.
- Pulmonologists
- Rheumatologists
- Ophthalmologist
- Neurologist
Do you see a common trend in these terms? -logist is the suffix for a “specialist in the study of…”
Another role of a suffix is to make a word into a noun or an adjective. Here are some examples:
Suffixes that make a word a Noun:
| Suffix | Definition | Example |
| -a | (noun form) | Vertebra = The vertebral column |
| -e | (noun form) | Dermatome = An area of skin supplied by nerves from a specific spinal root |
| -um | (noun form) | Cranium = The skull |
| -us | (noun form) | Coccus = Spherical bacterium |
Suffixes that make a word an Adjective:
| Suffix | Definition | Example |
| -ac | Pertaining to | Cardiac = Pertaining to the Heart |
| -ar | Pertaining to | Vestibular = Pertaining to the Vestibule |
| -ary | Pertaining to; Related to | Pulmonary = Pertaining to the Lungs |
| -al | Pertaining to | Neural = Pertaining to the Nerves |
| -eal | Pertaining to | Esophageal = Pertaining to the Esophagus |
| -ic | Pertaining to | Chronic = Pertaining to a long time |
| -tic | Pertaining to | Acoustic = Pertaining to Sound or Hearing |
| -ical | Pertaining to | Neurological = Pertaining to the Study of Nerves |
| -ory | Pertaining to; Characterized by | Respiratory = Pertaining to Breathing |
| -ous | Pertaining to | Serous = Pertaining to Serum |
Suffixes usually indicate, but are not limited to, medical specialties, types of surgeries, and conditions.
| Suffix | Definition | Example |
| -ian | Specialist in a field of study | Pediatrician = Specialist in Pediatric Medicine |
| -iatry | Medical Treatment; Medical profession | Podiatry = Field of medicine specializing in the study and treatment of the feet |
| -logy | The study of | Neurology = The study of the nervous system |
| -logist | Specialist in the study of | Neurologist = Specialist in the study of the nervous system |
| -ectomy | To cut out; To remove | Tonsillectomy = Surgical removal of the tonsils |
| -otomy | To cut into | Tracheotomy = to surgically cut into the trachea |
| -gram | Record; Picture | Electrocardiogram = Record of the electrical activity of the heart |
| -lysis | Destruction; Detachment | Hemolysis = Destruction of red blood cells |
| -opsy | Process of viewing | Biopsy = Process of viewing a piece of living tissue |
| -scopy | Process of viewing with a scope | Microscopy = Process of viewing with a microscope |
| -algia | Pain | Myalgia = Pain in the muscles |
| -blast | Immature cells; Precursor cells; Stem cells | Lymphoblast = Immature Lymphocytes |
| -cyte | Cell | Erythrocyte = Red blood cell |
| -emia | Blood condition | Glycemia = Presence of sugar/glucose in the blood |
| -genesis | Formation; Generating | Glycogenesis = Formation of Glycogen |
| -oma | Tumor | Adenoma = Tumor in glandular tissue |
| -osis | Condition of | Tuberculosis = Condition caused by the bacteria Mycobacterium Tuberculosis |
| -plegia | Paralysis | Hemiplegia = Paralysis of half of the body |
| -rrhea | Flow; Discharge | Rhinorrhea = Flow/discharge from the nose |
Most likely, you have seen these suffixes during science courses, healthcare related experience, or in everyday language. Now that you’re familiar with prefixes and suffixes, let’s get into the medical terms of specific systems of the human body in these upcoming modules.