Medical Suffixes that Describe Disease or Function (Part 1)

The suffix -algia means "pain". Take the word cephal/algia as an example. Cephal is a word root that refers to "head", and -algia refers to "pain". Cephalalgia is the medical term for headache.

The suffix -algesia means "pain". Take the word an/algesia as an example. An- is a prefix term that refers to "not" or "without", and -algesia refers to "pain". Analgesia means not being able to feel pain.

The suffix -odynia means "pain". Take the word cardi/odynia as an example. Cardi- is a word root that refers to "heart", and -odynia refers to "pain". "Cardiodynia" refers to pain in the heart.

The suffix -asthenia means "weakness". Take the word my/asthenia as an example. My is a word root that pertains to "muscle", and -asthenia refers to "weakness". Myasthenia gravis is disorder characterized by weakness and quick fatigue of muscles under voluntary control, especially those controlling the limbs, eyes, and mouth.

The suffix -carcinoma refers to "cancerous tumor". Take the word aden/o/carcinoma as an example. Aden/o is a combining form that pertains to "gland", and -carcinoma refers to "cancerous tumor". An adenocarcinoma is a kind of cancer that can occur anywhere in the body, usually in the glands that line the inside of the organs.

The suffix -cele refers to "hernia" or "swelling". Take the word hydr/o/cele as an example. Hydr/o is a combining form that pertains to "water", and -cele refers to "hernia" or "swelling". A hydrocele is an abnormal accumulation of fluids in a specific area of the body, especially in the membranes around a testicle.

The suffix -clasis or -clasia refers to "breaking". Take the word cyt/o/clasis as an example. Cyt/o is a combining form that pertains to "cell", and -clasis refers to "breaking". The term "cytoclasis" can be defined as the destruction of cells.

The suffix -cyesis refers to "pregnancy". Take the word poly/cyesis as an example. Poly- is a prefix that pertains to "many", and -cyesis refers to "pregnancy". Polycyesis is a multiple pregnancy; the presence of more than one fetus during pregnancy.

The suffix -drome refers to "running". Take the word pro/drome as an example. Pro- is a prefix that means "before", and -drome refers to "running". An early warning symptom for a disease is called a prodrome.

The suffix -ectasis refers to "dilation". Take the word atel/ectasis as an example. Atel is a word root that pertains to "incomplete", and -ectasis indicates "dilation". The atelectasis of the lung is a complete or partial collapse of the whole lung or a lobe.

The suffix -edema refers to "swelling". Take the word myx/edema as an example. Myx is a word root that pertains to "mucus", and -edema indicates "swelling". Myxedema refers to hypothyroidism in its most severe form. Myxedema also refers to swelling of the skin and soft tissues that occurs in hypothyroid patients.

The suffix -emesis refers to "vomiting". Take the word hemat/emesis as an example. Hemat is a word root that pertains to "blood", and -emesis denotes "vomiting". Hematemesis is the vomiting of blood.

The suffix -emia refers to "blood" or "blood condition". Take the word an/emia as an example. An- is a prefix term that pertains to "not" or "without", and -emia denotes "blood" or "blood condition". Anemia is a disorder in which the blood's ability to carry oxygen to its tissues is compromised due to a lack of red blood cells or a lack of hemoglobin, which causes fatigue and pallor.

The suffix -itis refers to "inflammation". Take the word nephr/itis as an example. Nephr is a word root that pertains to "kidney", and -itis denotes "inflammation". Nephritis is the inflammation of the kidney.

The suffix -lysis refers to "separating" or "dissolution". Take the word dia/lysis as an example. Dia- is a prefix term that pertains to "through", and -lysis denotes "separating" or "dissolution". When the kidneys stop working, dialysis removes and separates wastes and excess fluids from the blood through a machine to be cleaned.