Medical Terminology Noun Suffixes

GlobalRPh Medical Terminology Section

Noun Suffixes

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-a

(a is a noun ending)

cyanoderma (skin with a bluish discoloration)

Note: When a is used as a suffix, it is a noun ending; a can also be used as a prefix.

 

-ate

something that

hemolysate (something that results from hemolysis)

 

-e

(e is a noun ending)

dermatome (instrument used to cut the skin; e.g., thin slices of skin for grafting)

 

-emia

blood condition

hyperglycemia (blood condition in which a greater than normal level of glucose is present in the blood; high blood sugar)

 

-er

one who radiographer (one who takes and processes X-rays)

 

-esis

condition of

enuresis (condition of urinary incontinence; bed-wetting)

 

-ia

condition (ia is a noun ending)

paraplegia (condition of paralysis of the lower half of the body)

 

-iatry

medical treatment, medical profession

podiatry (treatment of diseases and disorders of the foot)

 

-ion

action, process

conduction (process in which heat is transferred from one substance to another)

 

-ism

condition

hirsutism (condition of excessive body hair in a male distribution pattern)

 

-ist

Practitioner

pharmacist (practitioner who prepares/dispenses drugs/ medications)

 

-ole

small or little

arteriole (smallest branch of the arterial circulation; small artery)

 

-osis

Condition

cyanosis (condition of blueness)

 

-tion

process of

relaxation (the process of reducing tension, as in a muscle when it relaxes after contraction)

 

-ula

small, little

macula (small, pigmented spot that appears separate from the surrounding tissue)

 

-ule

“small one”

venule (smallest vein that collects blood from a capillary)

 

-um

a suffix that identifies singular nouns

duodenum (first part of the small intestine)

 

-us

a suffix that identifies singular nouns

coccus (singular bacterium)

 

-y

(y is a noun ending)

myopathy (abnormal condition of the muscle)

 

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