The medical suffix term -lysis refers to “separating” or “dissolution”.
Example Word: dia/lysis
Word Breakdown: Dia- is a prefix term that pertains to “through”, and -lysis denotes “separating” or “dissolution”.
Definition: When the kidneys stop working, dialysis removes and separates wastes and excess fluids from the blood through a machine to be cleaned.
Examples of Medical Terms Ending in -lysis
Acetolysis: acet ( “acetone”) + –lysis ( “separation” or “dissolution”)
Definition: The separation or dissolution of a chemical compound using acetone.
Apolysis: ap/o ( “away from” or “separation”) + –lysis ( “separation” or “dissolution”)
Definition: The separation or shedding of a structure or tissue, such as the separation of a tooth from its socket.
Catalysis: cat– ( “down”) + –lysis ( “separation” or “dissolution”)
Definition: The process of accelerating a chemical reaction by the presence of a substance known as a catalyst.
Electrolysis: electr/o ( “electric”) + –lysis ( “separation” or “dissolution”)
Definition: A process that uses an electric current to separate or dissolve a substance.
Hemolysis: hem/o ( “blood”) + –lysis ( “separation” or “dissolution”)
Definition: The breaking down or destruction of red blood cells, resulting in the release of hemoglobin.
Hydrolysis: hydr/o ( “water”) + –lysis ( “separation” or “dissolution”)
Definition: A chemical reaction that involves the use of water in order to break down a compound into simpler components.
Isolysis: iso– ( “equal”) + –lysis ( “separation” or “dissolution”)
Definition: The separation or dissolution of a substance into equal parts.
Myolysis: my/o ( “muscle”) + –lysis ( “separation” or “dissolution”)
Definition: The destruction or breaking down of muscle tissue.
Neurolysis: neur/o ( “nerve”) + –lysis ( “separation” or “dissolution”)
Definition: The separation or dissolution of a nerve.
Nucleolysis: nucle/o ( “nucleus”) + –lysis ( “separation” or “dissolution”)
Definition: The separation or dissolution of the nucleus of a cell.
Prolysis: pro– ( “before”) + –lysis ( “separation” or “dissolution”)
Definition: The separation or dissolution that occurs before a specific event.
Spondylolysis : spondyl/o ( “vertebrae” ) + –lysis ( “separation” or “dissolution”)
Definition: A defect or stress fracture in a vertebra of the spinal column, which can lead to nerve impingement and lower back pain.
