1. Medical Terminology
Suffixes

2. Suffixes
This is a word part that is added to the end of a word to complete that term
In medical terminology, suffixes usually, but not always, indicate a procedure, condition, disorder, or disease

3. Suffixes related to Pathology
Pathology is the study of all aspects of diseases (path means disease, and ology means study of)
Suffixes related to pathology describe specific disease conditions

4. Pathology Suffixes Algia – pain and suffering Dynia- also means pain
Gastralgia- stomach ache
Dynia- also means pain
Gastrodynia- pain in the stomach
Itis- inflammation
Gastritis- inflammation of the stomach
Malacia- abnormal softening
Arteriomalacia- abnormal softening of the walls of an artery or arteries

5. Pathology Suffixes Megaly- enlargement Necrosis- tissue death
Hepatomegaly – abnormal enlargement of the liver
Necrosis- tissue death
arterionecrosis- tissue death of an artery or arteries
Sclerosis- abnormal hardening
Arteriosclerosis- abnormal hardening of the walls of an artery or arteries
Stenosis- abnormal narrowing
Arteriostenosis- abnormal narrowing of an artery or arteries

6. Suffixes related to Procedures
Some suffixes identify the procedure that is performed on the body part identified in the word root

7. Procedure Suffixes
Centesis- surgical puncture to remove fluid for diagnostic purposes or to remove excess fluid
Abdominocentesis- surgical puncture of the abdominal cavity to remove fluid
Graphy- process of producing a picture or record
Angiography- the process of producing a radiographic(x-ray) study of the blood vessels after the injection of a contrast medium to make these blood vessels visible

8. Procedure Suffixes Gram- a picture or record Plasty- surgical repair
Angiogram- the film produced by angiography
Plasty- surgical repair
Myoplasty- surgical repair of a muscle
Scopy- visual examination
Arthroscopy- visual examination of the internal structure of a joint

9. The “Double R” Suffixes
Suffixes with tow “R’s”, which are often referred to as the “double RRs” can be confusing, so they are grouped together to help in understanding

10. “Double R” Suffixes Rrhage and rrhagia- bleeding
Hemorrhage- loss of a large amount of blood in a short time
Rrhaphy- surgical suturing to close a wound and includes the use of staples, sutures, or surgical glue
Myorrhaphy- surgical suturing of a muscle wound

11. “Double R” Suffixes
Rrhea- flow or discharge and refers to the flow of most body fluids
Diarrhea- frequent flow of loose or watery stools
Rrhexis- rupture
Myorrhexis- rupture of a muscle