- Suffix: -ad
Meaning: Toward
Example: Cephalad - toward the head
- Suffix: -algia
Meaning: Pain
Example: Cervicalgia - neck pain - Suffix: -asthenia
Meaning: Weakness
Example: Myasthenia - muscle weakness - Suffix: -blast
Meaning: Immature, forming
Example: Cytoblast - immature cell - Suffix: -cele
Meaning: Hernia
Example: Hydrocele - a collection of serous fluid in a sacculated cavity - Suffix: -cidal, -cide
Meaning: Destroying, killing
Example: Cytocide - an agent that is destructive to cells - Suffix: -clasis
Meaning:
Breaking Example: Osteoclasis - intentional breaking of the bone - Suffix: -clast
Meaning: Breaking instrument
Example: Cranioclast - an obsolete instrument used for crushing the head of a demised fetus for extraction - Suffix: -crine
Meaning: Secreting
Example: Apocrine - gland that secretes hormones - Suffix: -crit
Meaning: Separate
Example: Hematocrit - percentage of volume of blood sample that is composed of cells - Suffix: -cyte
Meaning: Cell
Example: Leukocyte - white blood cell - Suffix: -cytosis
Meaning: Condition of cells
Example: Leukocytosis - condition of elevated white blood cells - Suffix: -derma
Meaning: Skin
Example: Leukoderma - an absence of pigment in the skin - Suffix: -desis
Meaning: Binding
Example: Pleurodesis - a fibrous adhesion between two layers of pleura - Suffix: -dynia
Meaning: Pain
Example: Gastrodynia - stomach ache - Suffix: -ectasia
Meaning: Expansion, dilation
Example: Angiectasia - dilation of a lymphatic or blood vessel - Suffix: -ectomy
Meaning: Removal of
Example: Splenectomy - removal of spleen - Suffix: -edema
Meaning: Swelling
Example: Myxedema - hypothyroid characterized by a hard swelling of subcutaneous tissue - Suffix: -ema
Meaning: Condition
Example: Emphysema - a condition of the lungs involving enlarged air space in connective tissue - Suffix: -emesis
Meaning: Vomiting
Example: Hyperemesis - excessive vomiting - Suffix: - emia
Meaning: Blood
Example: Hypokalemia - abnormal low potassium in the blood - Suffix: -emic
Meaning: Relating to blood
Example: Hyperemic - denoting increased blood flow to a part or organ - Suffix: -esthesia
Meaning: Sensation
Example: Paresthesia - abnormal sensation, such a tingling - Suffix: -form
Meaning: In the shape of
Example: Chloroform - used as an inhalant to produce general anesthesia - Suffix: -gen
Meaning: A substance or agent producing, coming to be
Example: Oxygen - gaseous element essential to plant and animal life - Suffix: -genesis
Meaning: Production of
Example: Osteogenesis - the production of bone - Suffix: -genic
Meaning: Producing
Example: Cytogenic - forming or producing of cells - Suffix: -globin
Meaning: Protein
Example: Hemoglobin - protein of red blood cells - Suffix: -globulin
Meaning: Protein
Example: Gamma-globulin - a protein in the blood, ie. immunoglobulin - Suffix: -gram
Meaning: A recording
Example: Arthrogram - imaging of a joint by contrast material - Suffix: -graph
Meaning: Recording instrument
Example: Cardiograph - an instrument for graphically recording movements of the heart - Suffix: -graphy
Meaning: Process of recording
Example: Angiography - radiography of blood vessles by contrast agent - Suffix: -iasis
Meaning: Pathological condition or state
Example: Cholelithiasis - presence of stone in the gallbladder - Suffix: -ic
Meaning: Pertaining to
Example: Anemic - pertaining to the blood - Suffix: -ics
Meaning: Treatment, practice, body of knowledge
Example - Pediatric - a medical practice concerned with treatment of children - Suffix: -ism
Meaning: Condition, disease, doctrine
Example: Hypothyroidism - the condition of having an abnormally low producing thyroid - Suffix: -itis
Meaning: Inflammation
Example: Dermatitis - an inflammation of the skin - Suffix: -kinesia; -kinesis
Meaning: Movement
Example: Hyperkinesis - excessive muscular movement - Suffix: -lepsy
Meaning: Condition of
Example: Epilepsy - condition with having seizures - Suffix: -leptic
Meaning: Having seizures
Example: Epileptic - person with epilepsy - Suffix: -logist
Meaning: One who practices
Example: Cardiologist - one who practices medicine of the heart - Suffix: -logy
Meaning: Study, practice
Example: Pathology - study of diseases - Suffix: -lysis
Meaning: Destruction of
Example: Paralysis - loss of power of voluntary movement - Suffix: -lytic
Meaning: Destroying
Example: Hemolytic - agent that is destructive to blood cells - Suffix: -malacia
Meaning: Softening
Example: Osteomalacia - gradual softening of bone - Suffix: -mania
Meaning: Obsession
Example: Pyromania - obsessive thoughts regarding fire - Suffix: -megaly
Meaning: Enlargement
Example: Cardiomegaly - abnormal enlargement of the heart - Suffix: -meter
Meaning: Measuring device
Example: Thermometer - used for measuring temperature - Suffix: -metry
Meaning: Measurement
Example: Oximetry - device used to measure oxygen saturation - Suffix: -oid
Meaning: Like, resembling
Example: Hemorrhoid - varicose condition of the external hemorrhoidal vein - Suffix: -oma
Meaning: Tumor, neoplasm
Example: Glioma - neoplasm of the brain - Suffix: -opia; -opsia
Meaning: Vision
Example: Diplopia - double vision - Suffix: -opsy
Meaning: View of
Example: Autopsy - examination of a dead body's organs - Suffix: -osis
Meaning: Condition, state, process
Example: Keratosis - any lesion on the skin marked by overgrowths from the horny layer - Suffix: -ostomy
Meaning: Opening
Example: Tracheostomy - surgical opening in the trachea - Suffix: -oxia
Meaning: Oxygen
Example: Hypoxia - abnormally low levels of oxygen prior to anoxia - Suffix: -para
Meaning: Bearing
Example: Primipara - woman who has given birth once - Suffix: -paresis
Meaning: Slight paralysis
Example: Hemiparesis - weakness effecting one side of the body - Suffix: -parous
Meaning: Producing, bearing
Meaning: Gemmiparous - reproducing by buds - Suffix: -pathy
Meaning: Disease
Example: Cardiopathy - any disease of the heart - Suffix: -penia
Meaning: Deficiency
Example: Thrombocytopenia - condition of low numbers of thrombocytes in the blood - Suffix: -pepsia
Meaning: Digestion
Example: Hyperpepsia - abnormally rapid digestion - Suffix: -pexy
Meaning: Fixation, usually done surgically
Example: Hysteropexy - fixation of a displaced uterus - Suffix: -phage; -phagia; -phagy
Meaning: Eating, devouring
Example: Macrophage - a cell that eats invaders - Suffix: -phasia
Meaning: Speaking
Example: Dysphasia - difficulty in swallowing - Suffix: -pheresis
Meaning: Removal
Example: Leukapheresis - removal of leukocytes from drawn blood - Suffix: -phil; -philia
Meaning: Attraction, affinity for
Example: Hemophilia - permanent tendency toward bleeding - Suffix: -phobia
Meaning: Fear
Example: Agoraphobia - irrational fear of the open or unfamiliar - Suffix: -phonia
Meaning: Sound
Example: Dysphonia - altered voice production - Suffix: -phoresis
Meaning: Carrying
Example: Diaphoresis - perspiration - Suffix: -phoria
Meaning: Feeling, carrying
Example: Adiaphoria - non-response to stimuli - Suffix: -phrenia
Meaning: Of the mind
Example: Hebephrenia - a disorganized type of schizophrenia - Suffix: -phthisis
Meaning: Wasting away
Example: Hemophthisis - anemia - Suffix: -phylaxis
Meaning: Protection
Example: Anaphylaxis - a sever reaction to an agent the body recognizes as an invader - Suffix: -physis
Meaning: Growing
Example: Epiphysis - part of a long bone distinct from and growing out of the shaft - Suffix: -plakia
Meaning: Plaque
Example: melanoplakia - colored patches on the mucous membrane - Suffix: -plasia
Meaning: Formation
Example: Hyperplasia - an increase of the normal number of cells in an organ - Suffix: -plasm
Meaning: Formation
Example: Cytoplasm - a substance of protoplasm in a cell - Suffix: -plastic
Meaning: Forming
Example: Neoplastic - containing a neoplasm or the characteristics of one - Suffix: -plasty
Meaning: Surgical repair
Example: Dermatoplasty - surgical repair of the skin - Suffix: -plegia
Meaning: Paralysis
Example: Paraplegia - paralysis of both lower extremities - Suffix: -plegic
Meaning: One who is paralyzed
Example: Paraplegic - one who has paraplegia - Suffix: -pnea
Meaning: Breath
Example: Dyspnea - difficult or abnormal breathing - Suffix: -poiesis
Meaning: Formation
Example: Thrombopoiesis - formation of thrombocytes - Suffix: -poietic
Meaning: Forming
Example: Erythropoietic - of the formation of red blood cells - Suffix: -poietin
Meaning: One that forms
Example: Erythropoietin - an acid that aids in the formation of red blood cells - Suffix: -porosis
Meaning: Lessening in density
Example: Osteoporosis - lessening if bone density - Suffix: -ptosis
Meaning: Falling down, drooping
Example: Nephroptosis - when the kidney sinks into the pelvis cavity - Suffix: -rrhage
Meaning: Discharging heavily
Example: Hemorrhage - to bleed heavily - Suffix: -rrhagia
Meaning: Heavy dischargeExample: Menorrhagia - Excessive menstrual bleeding - Suffix: -rrhaphy
Meaning: Surgical suturing
Example: Colorrhaphy - suture of the colon - Suffix: -rrhea
Meaning: A flowing, a flux
Example: Rhinorrhea - runny nose - Suffix: -rrhexis
Meaning: Rupture
Example: Angiorrhexis - ruptured blood vessel - Suffix: -schisis
Meaning: Splitting internal body cavity
Example: Spondyloschisis - failure of fusion of the vertebral arch in an embryo - Suffix: -scope
Meaning: Instrument (especially one used for observing)
Example: Laparoscope - a scope used for examining the peritoneal cavity - Suffix: -scopy
Meaning; Use of an instrument for observing
Example: Endoscopy - use of instruments to view an - Suffix: -somnia
Meaning: Sleep
Example: Hypersomnia - excessive day time sleep - Suffix: -spasm
Meaning: Contraction
Example: Myospasm - spastic contractions of the muscle - Suffix: -stalsis
Meaning: Contraction
Example: Retrostalsis - backward motion of the intestine - Suffix: -stasis
Meaning: Stopping, constant
Example: Cholestasis - a condition where bile flow from the liver is blocked - Suffix: -stat
Meaning: Agent to maintain a state
Example: Hemostat - an agent that arrests the blow of blood - Suffix: -static
Meaning: Maintaining a state
Example: Orthostatic - relating to an erect posture - Suffix: -stenosis
Meaning: Narrowing
Example: Aortic stenosis - a narrowing of the aortic valve - Suffix: -stomy
Meaning: Opening
Example: Gastrostomy - surgical opening in the stomach (usually for a feeding tube) - Suffix: -tome
Meaning: Cutting instrument, segment
Example: Dermatome - an instrument for making thin slices of the skin - Suffix: -tomy
Meaning: Cutting operation
Example: Craniotomy - surgical operation that removes a portion of the skull to access the brain - Suffix: -trophic
Meaning: Nutritional
Example: Hypotrophic - progressive degeneration of organs and tissue - Suffix: -trophy
Meaning: Nutrition
Example: Atrophy - a wasting away of the body - Suffix: -tropia
Meaning: Turning
Example: Anatropia - deviation of the axis of one eye upward - Suffix: -tropic
Meaning: Turning toward
Example: Dexiotropic - twisting in a spiral fashion from left to right - Suffix: -tropy
Meaning: Condition of turning toward
Example: Neurotropy - affinity of certain contrasts mediums for nervous tissue - Suffix: -uria
Meaning: Urine
Example: Dysuria - painful or difficult urination - Suffix: -version
Meaning: Turning
Example: Retroversion - a turning backward
Medical Coding
Medical coding is dependent upon a solid understanding of medical terminology.
To be successful and accurate medical coders must have a solid understanding of common medical terms for various reasons which include:
- Reading and understanding medical dictation
- Proper code look up and selection
- Communicating with physicians, insurance companies, and other medical professionals
- Understanding human anatomy
- Appealing claim denials
Suffixes
Suffixes are word parts that are conjoined with a root word.
Suffixes are placed at the end of the root word and end the medical term.
The main purpose of these word parts is to modify the existing explanation of a word without changing it.
Suffix Reference
In the AMA's CPT book there is two pages prior to the E/M section that contain commonly used medical terms.These pages include full terms, prefixes, suffixes, and root words.
In addition to the medical terminology there are also anatomical illustrations that include body planes and directional terms.
FAQs
What prefix means below or not enough? ›
| prefix | meaning |
|---|---|
| un- | reversal or cancellation of action or state |
| under- | beneath, below |
| lower in rank | |
| not enough |
| words | suffix | new words |
|---|---|---|
| forget, use | -ful | forgetful, useful |
| state, govern | -ment | statement, government |
| complicate, create | -ion | complication, creation |
A suffix is a word part added to the end of a word (for example, -ful). If you add the suffix -ful to the base word, help, the word is helpful. A prefix is a word part added to the beginning of a word or base word (for example, un-). If the prefix un- is added to helpful, the word is unhelpful.
Which suffix means pain? ›For example, the word element -algia means "pain" or "ache", which can be combined with other word elements referring to parts of the body. Thus, myalgia refers to a pain or ache in a muscle or muscles.
Is medical terminology hard? ›The trouble is that
- Get your Greek (and Latin) on. Nearly all medical terms come from Greek or Latin words. ...
- See the patterns in words. ...
- Use Acronyms. ...
- Imagine it. ...
- Flash cards. ...
- Medical Term Bingo. ...
- Slow and steady. ...
- Start Your Healthcare Administration Journey Today.
Medical terms always end with a suffix. The suffix usually indicates a specialty, test, procedure, function, condition/disorder, or status. For example, “itis” means inflammation and “ectomy” means removal. Alternatively, the suffix may simply make the word a noun or adjective.
Does every medical term have a suffix? ›As was discussed above, a medical term must have at least one root, but does not have to have a prefix and/or a suffix.
Which suffix means body? ›somat/o. body. -some. body [suffix] somn(i/o)
How do you memorize medical terms? ›- Using visual cues to remember complex terms.
- Practicing terms using apps for iOS and Android.
- Deciphering terms by learning basic Latin components (root, suffix, prefix)
- Bulk learning using self-made acronyms.
- Using engaging guides and workbooks.
- Taking free online classes.
What is all medical term? ›
Acute lymphocytic leukemia (ALL) is a type of cancer of the blood and bone marrow — the spongy tissue inside bones where blood cells are made. The word "acute" in acute lymphocytic leukemia comes from the fact that the disease progresses rapidly and creates immature blood cells, rather than mature ones.
What are basic medical terminology? ›This list contains some common medical abbreviations and acronyms: AC: Ante cibum, or "before meals," indicating when a patient should take medication. ADR: Adverse drug reaction. ALOC: Acute loss of consciousness. BMI: Body mass index, a measurement of body fat based on height and weight.
What are 5 suffixes examples? ›| Suffix | Meaning | Example |
|---|---|---|
| -ity, -ty | quality of | inactivity, veracity, parity, serenity |
| -ment | condition of | argument, endorsement, punishment |
| -ness | state of being | heaviness, sadness, rudeness, testiness |
| -ship | position held | fellowship, ownership, kinship, internship |
There are two primary types of suffixes in English: Derivational suffix (such as the addition of -ly to an adjective to form an adverb) indicates what type of word it is. Inflectional suffix (such as the addition of -s to a noun to form a plural) tells something about the word's grammatical behavior.
What are the 100 prefixes? ›...
100+ Prefix Words List for Grades.
| PREFIX | MEANING | EXAMPLES |
|---|---|---|
| de- | from | decode, decrease, deflate, degenerate, depress |
| non- | not | nonsense, nonentity, nondescript |
| co- | with | co-worker, co-pilot, co-operation |
| dis- | not | disagree, disallow, disarray, disconnect, disloyal, disrespect |
| Prefix | Meaning | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Fore- | Before | Forecast, foresight |
| In- | İn | Infield, infiltrate |
| Im- | İn | Imbalance |
| In-, im-, il-, ir- | Not | Injustice, impossible, irregular |
| Prefix | Meaning | Examples |
|---|---|---|
| de- | down, off, away from | devalue, deactivate, debug, degrade, deduce |
| dis- | not, apart, away | disappear, disagreeable, disbar, dissect |
| en- | put into, cover with | enclose, entangle, enslave, encase |
| ex- | out of, from, former | extract, exhale, excavate, ex-president |
oma: Suffix meaning a swelling or tumor. Many words in medicine end in -oma.
What Suffix means infection? ›-itis Definition & Meaning | Dictionary.com.
What is the Suffix for breathing? ›Suffix meaning breath, breathe, or breathing. The variant -pnoea is used outside the U.S.
How long does it take to learn medical terminology? ›
Medical Terminology is a 120-hour online Con Ed class.
What would happen if you don't understand medical terminology? ›Medical terms are used to accurately describe the condition of the patient and the treatment that they need to undergo. Without proper training and knowledge, the communication between healthcare workers may get confusing and the patient might not get the proper treatment at the end.
Why are medical terms difficult to remember? ›Terms can look intimidating due to their roots in Greek and Latin. That can make many of them appear strange and difficult to remember.
What are 2 suffixes that mean cut or cut out? ›-ectomy. = to cut out (remove) appendectomy, tonsillectomy (you know these too!) -otomy. = to cut into.
How do you teach medical terminology in a fun way? ›Medical Terminology Pictionary - Students draw pictures and try to identify the correct term. Medical Terminology Relay Race - Learners correctly identify medical terms before running to the next station. Funny Stories with Medical Terms - Students learn common abbreviations by writing short stories with med terms.
What is the best way to learn medical terminology quizlet? ›What's the best way to learn and study medical terminology? Students who have the best success in the medical terminology course review the medical terminology word parts daily, even for just a few minutes at time.
What is the suffix for blood? ›emia: Suffix meaning blood or referring to the presence of a substance in the blood. As for example, anemia (lack of blood) and hypervolemia (too high a volume of blood). The ending -emia is one of the building blocks derived from Greek (in this case) or Latin used to construct medical terms.
What is the suffix for oxygen? ›The suffix '-logy' means 'the study of'.
What suffix means to crush? ›[Gr. tripsis, friction, rubbing] Suffix meaning crushing.
What two suffixes mean? ›
For example, the prefixes bi-, di-, and duo- all mean “two.”
What are the three basic word parts used to build medical terms? ›Medical terms can be divided into three basic word elements: prefixes, roots (or stems), and suffixes.
What does Y mean in medical terms? ›Symbol for yttrium; tyrosine; pyrimidine nucleoside.
What is the suffix of fear? ›e) Fearing uses the suffix -ing and is the present continuous for the word fear.
What suffix means small? ›We found 1 solutions for Suffix Meaning ''Small'' . The most likely answer for the clue is ETTE.
Which prefix means below? ›Power Prefixes: sub-
Learn these words beginning with the prefix sub, meaning "below" or "under."
A prefix is a short word that is attached at the front of another word to form a new word. The prefix under means less, lower, not enough, beneath, or below.
Which of these prefixes means below? ›'Under' can be used as a prefix to mean below e.g. The train went underground.
What medical prefix means below? ›Hypo-, having the opposite meaning of hyper-, means 'below' or 'under.
Which term means without a breast? ›Absence of the breast, also called
Which suffix means pain? ›
For example, the word element -algia means "pain" or "ache", which can be combined with other word elements referring to parts of the body. Thus, myalgia refers to a pain or ache in a muscle or muscles.
Which prefix means false? ›PSEUDO. Prefix meaning ''false''
What is a prefix for kids? ›Prefixes are words which are added to the beginning of another word in order to give it a new meaning. Suffixes, on the other hand, are added to the end of a word to change its meaning.
What are the 50 examples of prefix? ›| Prefix | Meaning | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Fore- | Before | Forecast, foresight |
| In- | İn | Infield, infiltrate |
| Im- | İn | Imbalance |
| In-, im-, il-, ir- | Not | Injustice, impossible, irregular |
| Prefix | Meaning | Examples |
|---|---|---|
| de- | down, off, away from | devalue, deactivate, debug, degrade, deduce |
| dis- | not, apart, away | disappear, disagreeable, disbar, dissect |
| en- | put into, cover with | enclose, entangle, enslave, encase |
| ex- | out of, from, former | extract, exhale, excavate, ex-president |
| PREFIX | MEANING | EXAMPLES |
|---|---|---|
| circum- | around | circumstance, circumvent, circumnavigate |
| de- | from | decode, decrease, deflate, degenerate, depress |
| non- | not | nonsense, nonentity, nondescript |
| co- | with | co-worker, co-pilot, co-operation |
For example, the prefix un- (or u-n) can mean "not," "remove," or "opposite." Adding un- to the word "happy" gives you the word "unhappy," which means not happy. U-n and r-e (or re-) are the two most common prefixes in the English language.
Which affixes mean without? ›The affix word "a" is considered as without because it means absence.
Which suffix means body? ›somat/o. body. -some. body [suffix] somn(i/o)
Does DX stand for diagnosis? ›Dx: Abbreviation for diagnosis, the determination of the nature of a disease.
What prefix means old age? ›
Prefix meaning "old age" Presby-