Medical Suffixes that Describe Disease or Function (Part 3)

The suffix -phobia means "irrational fear" . Example is the word acr/o/phobia. Acr/o in the term acrophobia means "top" or "peak" (other meaning is extremity), -phobia denotes "irrational fear". "Acrophobia" is the fear of heights.

The suffix -phoresis means "transmit" . Example is the word dia/phoresis. Dia- is a prefix term that means "through", -phoresis refers to "transmit". Diaphoresis is excessive abnormal sweating in relation to the environment and activity level.

The suffix -rrhea means "flow" or "discharge" . Example is the word a/men/o/rrhea. A- is a prefix term that means "without", men/o is a combining form that pertains to "menstruation", and -rrhea refers to "discharge". The absence of menstrual discharge is referred to as amenorrhea.

The suffix -physis means "growth" . Example is the word ep(i)/physis. Epi- is a prefix term that means "above; over", -physis pertains to "growth". The epiphysis is the rounded end of a long bone. Additionally, epiphysis is another term for the pineal gland.

The suffix -plasia means "formation" or "growth" . Example is the word dys/plasia. Dys- for the term dysplasia is a prefix that means "abnormal", -plasia pertains to "growth" or "formation". Dysplasia is an abnormal growth of tissue or cells, usually a precancerous stage of development.

The suffix -plasm means "living substance" or "tissue" . Example is the word neo/plasm. Neo- is a prefix term that pertains to "new", and -plasm for this term refers to "tissue" or "living substance". Neoplasm is an abnormal new growth of irregular tissue.

The suffix -plegia means "paralysis" . Example is the word quadr(i)/plegia. Quadr(i)- is a prefix term that pertains to "four", and -plegia refers to "paralysis". In quadriplegia, all four limbs and the trunk are paralyzed.

The suffix -pnea refers to "breathing" . Example is the word eu/pnea. Eu- is a prefix term that signifies "normal", and -pnea refers to "breathing". Eupnea is normal, relaxed breathing. It's a healthy breathing pattern.

The suffix -poiesis means "formation" . Example is the word erythr(o)/poiesis. Erythro- is a prefix term that denotes "red", and -poiesis refers to "formation". Erythropoiesis is the development and production of red blood cells in the bone marrow.

The suffix -ptosis pertains to "prolapse" or "drooping" . Example is the word pro/ptosis. Pro- is a prefix term that refers to "before", and -ptosis refers to "prolapse" or "drooping". Proptosis, also known as exophthalmos is the protrusion of the eyeball.

The suffix -rrhage or -rrhagia pertains to "excessive bleeding" . Example is the word hem/o/rrhage. Hem/o is a combining form that refers to "blood", and -rrhage indicates "excessive bleeding". The medical term for bleeding is hemorrhage. Most commonly, it refers to excessive bleeding.

The suffix -rrhexis pertains to "rupture" . Example is the word amni/o/rrhexis. Amni/o is a combining form that refers to "amnion (amniotic sac)", and -rrhexis denotes "rupture". Amniorrhexis is when the amniotic sac ruptures during pregnancy.

The suffix -salpinx pertains to "fallopian tube (uterine tube)" . Example is the word mes(o)/salpinx. Mes(o)- is a prefix term that denotes "middle", and -salpinx pertains to "fallopian tube (uterine tube)". Mesosalpinx is the fold of peritoneum (located in the middle of fallopian tube and ovary) covering both uterine tubes.

The suffix -sarcoma pertains to "malignant tumor" . Example is the word oste/o/sarcoma. Oste/o is a combining form that refers to "bone", and -sarcoma pertains to "malignant tumor". Osteosarcoma (also called bone cancer) is a cancerous tumor in the bone.

The suffix -schisis pertains to "fissure" or "splitting" . Example is the word cheil/o/schisis. Cheil/o is a combining form that refers to "lip", and -schisis pertains to "fissure" or "splitting". Cheiloschisis (cleft lip) is a congenital cleft that occurs in the middle of the upper lip.