Chapter 3Suffixes

The Language of Medicine

ArthralgiaPain in a joint

OtalgiaPain in the ear

NeuralgiaNerve pain

MyalgiaMuscle pain

RectoceleHernia of the rectum into the vagina

CystoceleHernia of the urinary bladder into the vagina

ThoracentesisA surgical puncture to remove fluid from chest

AmniocentesisSurgical puncture to remove fluid from the amnion sack

Abdominocentesis/paracentesisSurgical puncture to remove fluid from the abdomen

StreptococcusBacteria that grow in twisted chains

StaphylococciBacteria that grow in clusters

ErythrocyteRed blood cell

LeukocyteWhite blood cell

ThrombocyteClotting cell/platelet

Pleurodynia/pleuralgiaPain in the pleural cavity/ chest wall muscles

LaryngectomyExcision of the larynx

MastectomyExcision of a breast

AnemiaA condition of reduction in the number of red blood cells or amount of hemoglobin in the circulating blood

IschemiaDeficiency of blood flow to a part of the body due to narrowing or obstruction of blood vessels

CarcinogenesisA condition of producing cancer

PathogenesisA condition of producing disease

AngiogenesisFormation of blood vessels in the embryo

CarcinogenicPertaining to producing cancer

OsteogenicPertaining to being produced by bone tissue

ElectroencephalogramRecord of the electricity in the brain

MyelogramAn x-ray record of the spinal cord after injecting a contrast material

MammogramAn x-ray record of a breast

ElectroencephalographAn instrument for recording the electricity in the brain

ElectroencephalographyThe process of recording the electricity in the brain

Angiographyx-ray recording of blood vessels after injecting a contrast

bronchitisinflammation of the bronchial tubes

tonsillitisinflammation of the tonsils

thrombophlebitis / phlebitisinflammation of a vein accompanied by formation of a clot

ophthalmologystudy of the eye

ophthalmologistoptometristoptician

morphologystudy of the shape of cells

hemolysisdestruction of red blood cells

ana lysishem o dia lysislipolysis

osteomalaciasoftening of bones

chondromalaciasoftening of cartilage

acromegalyenlargement of extremities

spleenomegalyenlargement of the spleen

myomabenign tumor of muscles

myosarcomamalignant tumor of muscles

multiple myelomamalignant tumor originating from the bone marrow

hematomaa mass of blood under the skin

biopsyviewing a living tissue

necropsydissection and examination of a dead body to determine the cause of death

necrosisabnormal condition of death of cells

hydronephrosisdilation of the pelvis of the kidney due to an obstruction to the free flow of urine from the kidney

leukocytosisa slight increase in the number of white blood cells as a response to infection

cardiomyopathydisease condition of the heart muscle

erythropeniaa decrease in the number of red blood cells

neutropeniaa decrease in the number of neutrophils (white blood cells)

thrombocytopeniaa decrease in the number of clotting cells

acrophobiafear of heights

agoraphobiafear of public places or open places

necrophobia

achondroplasiaa disorder in which the bones of arms and legs fail to grow to normal size due to a defect in cartilage and bone

angioplastysurgical repair of a blood vessel

blepharoptosisprolapse of the upper eyelids

nephroptosisprolapse of the kidney

arteriosclerosishardening of arteries

laparoscopean instrument to visually examine the abdomen

laparoscopy

visual examination of the abdomen

metastasisspread of a malignant tumor beyond its original site to a secondary organ or location

hemostasisstoppage of blood flow by natural or mechanical means

colostomyopening of the colon to the outside of the body

tracheostomyopening of the trachea to the outside of the body

hydrotherapytreatment with water

chemotherapytreatment with drugs or chemicals

radiotherapytreatment with high energy x-ray

laparotomyincision of the abdomen

phlebotomyincision of a vein

tracheotomyincision of the trachea (to remove a blockage)

hypertrophy

an increase in the size of a tissue or an organ due to enlargement of the cells

atrophya decrease in the size of cells within an organ

radiographera health care professional who operates radiological equipment

leukemiahigher than normal number of (cancerous) white blood cells

pneumoniaabnormal condition / inflammation of the lungs

nephrologista kidney specialist

arteriolea small artery

venulea small vein

pericardiuma membrane surrounding the heart

mucusa sticky substance secreted from a mucous membrane

esophagusa tube leading from the throat to the stomach

nephropathydisease condition of the kidney

cardiacpertaining to the heart

peritonealpertaining to the peritoneum

inguinalpertaining to the groin

pleuralpertaining to the pleura

tonsillarpertaining to the tonsils

pulmonarypertaining to the lungs

axillarypertaining to the armpit

laryngealpertaining to the larynx

carcinogenicpertaining to producing cancer

osteogenicpertaining to producing in the bones

chronicoccurring over a long period of time

pathologic

pertaining to the study of disease

adenoidsenlarged lymphatic tissue in the upper part of the throat near the nasal passage

mucoidresembling mucus

adiposepertaining to or full of fat

mucous membranean epithelial membrane that secretes mucus and lines the tubular organs of the body

necroticpertaining to death of cells