Medical Suffixes that Describe Disease or Function (Part 2)

The suffix -megaly refers to "enlargement". Take the word acr/o/megaly as an example. Acr/o is a combining form that pertains to "extremities", and -megaly denotes "enlargement". An acromegaly is an enlargement of the bones of the extremities, face, and jaw caused by an overactive pituitary gland.

The suffix -dilation refers to "dilation". Take the word vas/o/dilation as an example. Vas/o is a combining form that pertains to "vessel" or usually "blood vessel", and -dilation denotes "dilation". Vasodilation refers to the dilation and widening of blood vessels.

The suffix -malacia refers to "softening". Take the word oste/o/malacia as an example. Oste/o is a combining form that pertains to "bone", and -malacia denotes "softening". Osteomalacia is the softening of adult bones caused by insufficient mineralization.

The suffix -necrosis refers to "death of tissue". Take the word oste/o/necrosis as an example. Oste/o is a combining form that pertains to "bone", and -necrosis denotes "death of tissue". Osteonecrosis (also called avascular necrosis) occurs when the blood supply to part of a bone is disrupted and the bone eventually dies and the joint collapses.

The suffix -oma refers to "tumor". Take the word sarc/oma as an example. Sarc is a word root that pertains to "flesh (connective tissue)", and -oma refers to "tumor". Sarcoma is a malignant tumor that affects bones, cartilage, fat, muscles, blood vessels, or other connective tissues.

The suffix -opia refers to "vision". Take the word dipl/opia as an example. Dipl- is a prefix term that means "two" or "double", and -opia refers to "vision". Diplopia is a condition where one perceives two images; double vision.

The suffix -osis refers to "abnormal condition". Take the word hepat/osis as an example. Hepat is a word root that means "liver", and -osis refers to "abnormal condition". Hepatosis refers to any physiological disorder of the liver.

The suffix -paresis refers to "slight paralysis". Take the word hemi/paresis as an example. Hemi- is a prefix term that means "half", and -paresis refers to "slight paralysis". A hemiparesis is a weakness of muscles on just one side of the body.

The suffix -pathy refers to "disease". Take the word cardi/o/pathy as an example. Cardi/o is a combining form that means "heart", and -pathy refers to "disease". Cardiopathy refers to any heart disorders or diseases.

The suffix -penia refers to "abnormal reduction in number". Take the word erythr(o)/penia as an example. Erythr(o)- is a prefix term that means "red", and -penia refers to "abnormal reduction in number". Erythropenia is a reduction in the number of erythrocytes, typically seen in anemia.

The suffix -pepsia refers to "digestion". Take the word dys/pepsia as an example. Dys- is a prefix term that means "bad", "difficult" or "painful", and -pepsia refers to "digestion". Dyspepsia is a mild digestive disorder with symptoms such as stomach pain, heartburn, and nausea following a meal.

The suffix -phagia refers to "swallowing" or "eating". Take the word dys/phagia as an example. Dys- is a prefix term that means "bad", "difficult" or "painful", and -phagia refers to "swallowing" or "eating". Dysphagia is the difficulty of swallowing.

The suffix -phasia refers to "speech". Take the word a/phasia as an example. A- is a prefix term that means "not" or "without", and -phasia refers to "speech". In aphasia, language skills are lost partially or completely due to a brain injury.

The suffix -phil(ia) refers to "affinity for" or "attraction". Take the word para/phil(ia) as an example. Para- is a prefix that means "near", "apart from" or "abnormal", and -phil(ia) refers to "affinity for" or "attraction". The term paraphilia refers to an abnormal sexual attraction, especially to non-sexual objects or situations.