Chapter 2 Study Guide and Worksheet
This Chapter covers suffixes. There are a lot of them to learn. Start working on these
right away. Additional suffixes will be presented in future chapters but you must always
remember these as well. Even after you have completed this chapter, go back
frequently and be sure that you remember them. Suffixes and prefixes will be included
on all quizzes and exams.
Chapter Objectives
1. Define and provide examples of surgical, diagnostic, pathological, and related
suffixes
2. Practice linking combining forms and word roots to suffixes
3. Apply guidelines for making words plural
Suffixes- Memorize the suffixes listed below. Use this as a practice sheet. These
terms are also in Quizlet where you can create practice activities and tests. As always,
associate the words with something you know whenever possible!
Common Surgical Suffixes
Term Meaning Example
-centesis Surgical puncture Arthrocentesis – surgical
puncture of a joint
-clasis To break; surgical Osteoclasis – surgical
fracture fracture of a bone
-desis Binding, fixation (of bone Arthrodesis – binding or
or joint) fixation of a joint
–ectomy Excision, removal Appendectomy – excision
of the appendix
-lysis Separation; destruction; Thrombolysis –
loosening destruction or separation
of a blood clot
-pexy Fixation (of a organ) Mastopexy- fixation of the
breast
–plasty Surgical repair Rhinoplasty – surgical
repair of the nose
–rrhaphy suture Myorrhaphy- suture of a
muscle
–stomy Forming an opening Tracheostomy - - forming
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Term Meaning Example
an opening into the
trachea
-tomy incision Tracheotomy- incision of
the trachea
–tome Iinstrument to cut Osteotome- instrument to
cut bone
–tripsy crushing Lithotripsy – crushing of a
bone
Diagnostic Suffixes
Term Meaning Example
-gram Record, writing Electrocardiogram –
record of electrical activity
of the heart
-graph Instrument for recording Electrocardiograph –
instrument for recording
electrical activity of the
heart
–graphy Process of recording Electrocardiography –
process of recording
electrical activity of the
heart rate
-meter Instrument for Thermometer- instrument
measurement for measuring temperature
–metry Process of Audiometry –
measurement measurement of hearing
-scope Instrument for Endoscope – instrument
examining for examining within
–scopy Visual examination Endoscopy - – visual
examination within
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Pathology Suffixes
Term Meaning Example
–algia pain Neuralgia – pain of a
nerve
–cele Hernia, swelling Hepatocele – hernia or
swelling of the liver
–dynia pain Otodynia – pain in the ear
-ectasis Dilation, expansion Bronchiectasis- dilation or
expansion of the bronchi
-edema swelling Lymphedema – swelling
caused by a blockage in
the lymphatic system
-emesis vomiting Hyperemesis- excessive
vomiting
–emia Blood condition Leukemia- cancer of the
white blood cells
-gen Forming, producing, Carcinogen- forming,
origin producing, origin of
cancer
-genesis Forming, producing, Carcinogenesis-
origin transformation of normal
cells into cancer cells
–ia condition Hypoxia – condition of
insufficient oxygen in the
body
-iasis Abnormal condition Psoriasis – skin condition
(produced by something
specific)
–itis inflammation Gastritis – inflammation
of the stomach
-lith Stone, calculus Nephrolith- kidney stone
–malacia softening Chondromalacia-
softening of cartilage
–megaly enlargement Cardiomegaly-
enlargement of the heart
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Term Meaning Example
–oma tumor Neuroma – tumor of a
nerve
–osis Abnormal condition: Cyanosis- dark blue or
increase (used primarily purple discoloration of the
with blood cells) skin and mucous
–pathy disease Myopathy- disease of
muscle
--penia Decrease; deficiency Decrease, deficiency
-phagia Swallowing, eating Dysphagia- difficulty
swallowing
-phasia Speech, disorder Dysphasia – difficulty with
speaking
-phobia fear Hemophobia- Fear of
blood
-plasia Formation, growth Hyperplasia- excessive
growth, formation
-plasm Living substance or tissue Cytoplasm- the fluid
inside a cell
-plegia paralysis Quadriplegia- paralysis of
four
–ptosis Prolapse, downward Blepharoptosis-
displacement downward displacement
of the eyelid
-rrhage Bursting forth (of) Hemorrhage – bursting of
blood
–rrhagia Abnormal bleeding Menorrhagia- heavy
menstrual bleeding
–rrhea Discharge, flow Diarrhea- discharge or
flow from the bowel
–rrhexis rupture Arteriorhhexis- rupture of
an artery
-sclerosis Abnormal condition of Arteriosclerosis- abnormal
hardening condition of hardening of an
artery
–spasm Involuntary contraction, Blepharospasm –
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Term Meaning Example
twitching involuntary twitching of
the eyelid
–stenosis Narrowing, structure Arteriostenosis- abnormal
narrowing of the stricture
of an artery
-toxic poison Hepatotoxic- poison in
the liver
-trophy Development, Hypertrophy-
nourishment enlargement or increase
in size
Noun- Ending Suffixes
Term Meaning Example
-esis Action or process Enuresis - bedwetting
-ia condition
-iatry Medicine; treatment
-ician Specialist in a particular field of Pediatrician- a specialist in the
medicine care of children
-ism Indicated a condition or state Alcoholism- state of being
addicted to alcohol
-ist Indicates a specialist or practitioner Cardiologist – specialist in
in a particular field conditions
-y Condition; process
Diminutives
Term Meaning Example
-icle Small, minute
-ole Small, minute
-ule Small, minute
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Adjective Suffixes
Term Meaning Example
–ac Pertaining to
–al Pertaining to
–ar Pertaining to
–ary Pertaining to
–eal Pertaining to
–ic Pertaining to
-ical Pertaining to
-ile Pertaining to
-ior Pertaining to
–ous Pertaining to
-tic Pertaining to