Chapter
2
Understanding Suffixes
Learning Objectives
After completing this chapter, you will be able to:
• Define and spell the suffixes often used in medical terminology.
• Identify suffixes in medical terms.
• Use suffixes to build medical terms that pertain to medical specialties,
symptoms, and diseases.
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Chapter 2/ Understanding Suffixes 17
Wingerd, In-Class Activities to Accompany Medical Terminology Complete!, 2nd Edition
Chapter 2
Understanding Suffixes
Worksheet 1
Spelling Challenge
These terms are spelled incorrectly. Spell each term correctly in the space provided.
1.Arthrapothy____________________________
2.Lithotripsey____________________________
3.Angeography____________________________
4.Neaplazia____________________________
5.Chiropractice____________________________
6.Lapraroscopy____________________________
7.Angorrhaphy____________________________
8.Osteoclasious____________________________
9.Bronkospsm____________________________
10. Hydrphobia____________________________
11. Paralisis____________________________
12. Gastrostomey____________________________
13. Rhinorhagia____________________________
14. Profilaxas
____________________________
15. Arterioclerosis____________________________
True/False
Mark each statement as true (T) or false (F).
_______1.The suffix -asthenia means “weakness.”
_______2.The suffix -pathy is very common and means “disease.”
_______3.The suffix -pexy means “surgical fixation or suspension.”
18 Chapter 2/ Understanding Suffixes
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Wingerd, In-Class Activities to Accompany Medical Terminology Complete!, 2nd Edition
_______4.The suffix -spasm indicates “a sudden, involuntary muscle contraction.”
_______5.The suffix -ab means “toward.”
_______6.The suffix -tripsy means “surgical crushing.”
_______7.The suffix -iatry means “treatment or specialty.”
_______8.The suffix -pract means “practice.”
_______9.The suffix -centesis means “to surgically puncture.”
_______10. The suffix -rrhea means “pertaining to.”
Fill in the Blank
Fill in the blank with the correct medical term from this chapter.
11. The term ____________________________ means “abnormal discharge of the nose.”
12. The term ____________________________ means “a condition in which toxins are found in
the blood.”
13. This term is defined as a softening or degeneration of heart tissue.
____________________________
14. The term ____________________________ means “vomiting of blood.”
15. This term is defined as a difficulty in swallowing. ____________________________
16. The term ____________________________ means “a condition in which there is an
overproduction of red blood cells.”
17. A(n) ____________________________ is the term used for the excision of cartilage.
18. A(n) ____________________________ is “an instrument for examining and treating the
stomach.”
19. The term ____________________________ means “pertaining to the head.”
20. ____________________________ is defined as “the study or science of diseases and the
structural and functional changes they cause.”
Short Answer
Write the definition for each of the following terms.
21. Toxemia
_____________________________________________________________
22. Myasthenia_____________________________________________________________
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Chapter 2/ Understanding Suffixes 19
Wingerd, In-Class Activities to Accompany Medical Terminology Complete!, 2nd Edition
23. Rhinorrhagia_____________________________________________________________
24. Calcipenia_____________________________________________________________
25. Amniorrhexis
_____________________________________________________________
Word Search
Fill in the blank with the correct medical term from this chapter, then find those terms in the word
search puzzle that follows.
1.A(n) ____________________________ is the word part that is attached to the end of the word root.
2.The suffix -al means ____________________________to.
3.The suffix -logy means ____________________________of.
4.The suffix -meter means _____________________________.
5.The suffix -pathy means _____________________________.
6.The suffix -emesis means _____________________________.
7.The suffix -malacia means ____________________________.
8.The suffix -phagia means _____________________________.
9.The suffix -phasia means _____________________________.
10. The suffix -plasia means _____________________________.
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20 Chapter 2/ Understanding Suffixes
© 2013 Pearson Education, Inc.
Wingerd, In-Class Activities to Accompany Medical Terminology Complete!, 2nd Edition
Chapter 2
Understanding Suffixes
Worksheet 2
Building Medical Terms
Fill in the blank with the correct medical term from this chapter.
Medical doctors, or MDs, specialize in a wide variety of areas. The training for medical doctors
includes four years for their undergraduate degree, four more years in medical school, and then a residency of three to five more years. For some specialties there is a fellowship for further training. Using
the roots and suffixes you have learned will allow you to describe many medical specialties. The suffix
-logy means the study or science of, whereas -logist means one who studies this particular area.
1.A doctor specializing in the heart is an expert in ______________________ and is called a(n)
______________________.
2.A doctor specializing in the skin is an expert in ______________________ and is called a(n)
______________________.
3.A doctor specializing in the nervous system is an expert in ______________________ and is
called a(n) ______________________.
4.A doctor specializing in the study of diseases is an expert in ______________________ and is
called a(n) ______________________.
5.A doctor specializing in the lungs and respiratory system is an expert in ______________________
and is called a(n) ______________________.
© 2013 Pearson Education, Inc.
Chapter 2/ Understanding Suffixes 21
Wingerd, In-Class Activities to Accompany Medical Terminology Complete!, 2nd Edition
Chapter 2
Understanding Suffixes
Worksheet 3
Which Term Does Not Belong?
Circle the term that is not related to the other terms. Then explain why the term does not belong
with the others.
1.Suffixes indicating an action or state
a.
-emesis
b.
-ous
c.
-oma
d.
-philia
e.
-plegia
Why does it not belong? ___________________________________________________________
2.Suffixes indicating a condition or disease
a.
-algia
b.
-pathy
c.
-rrhexis
d.
-sclerosis
e.
-scope
Why does it not belong? ___________________________________________________________
3.Suffixes that pertain or relate to the root
a.
-ac
b.
-al
c.
-ary
d.
-oma
e.
–ous
Why does it not belong? ___________________________________________________________
22 Chapter 2/ Understanding Suffixes
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Wingerd, In-Class Activities to Accompany Medical Terminology Complete!, 2nd Edition
4.Suffixes indicating a medical specialty
a.
-iatry
b.
-logist
c.
-osis
d.
-practice
e.
–logy
Why does it not belong? ___________________________________________________________
5.Suffixes indicating a procedure or treatment
a.
-centesis
b.
-iatry
c.
-plasty
d.
-rrhaphy
e.
-tomy
Why does it not belong? ___________________________________________________________
© 2013 Pearson Education, Inc.
Chapter 2/ Understanding Suffixes 23
Wingerd, In-Class Activities to Accompany Medical Terminology Complete!, 2nd Edition
Chapter 2
Understanding Suffixes
Worksheet 4
Crossword Puzzle
Directions: Fill in the crossword puzzle with the words missing from the sentences below. Match
the number of the sentence to the boxes placed across or down the grid. If filled out correctly, the
words will fit neatly into the puzzle.
1
3
2
4
5
6
7
8
ACROSS
2 The suffix -emia means “condition of
___________.”
7 The suffixes -ic, -ous, and -al all share the
same meaning, which is ___________to.
8 A(n)___________ is the word part that
is attached to the word root.
24 Chapter 2/ Understanding Suffixes
DOWN
1 The suffix -malacia means ___________.
3 The suffix -___________ means “eating or
swallowing.”
4 In the medical term endocarditis, the
suffix is ___________.
5 The suffix ___________ means “a closure
or the absence of a normal body opening.”
6 The suffix -scope indicates the instrument
that is used for ___________.
© 2013 Pearson Education, Inc.
Wingerd, In-Class Activities to Accompany Medical Terminology Complete!, 2nd Edition
CHAPTER 2
Understanding Suffixes
Worksheet 1 Answers
Spelling Challenge
1.Arthropathy
2.Lithotripsy
3.Angiography
4.Neoplasia
5.Chiropractic
6.Laparoscopy
7.Angiorrhaphy
8.Osteoclasis
9.Bronchospasm
10. Hydrophobia
11. Paralysis
12. Gastrostomy
13. Rhinorrhagia
14. Prophylaxis
15. Arteriosclerosis
True/False
1.T
2.T
3.T
4.T
5.F
6.T
7.T
8.T
9.T
10. F
Fill in the Blank
11. rhinorrhagia
12. toxemia
13. Cardiomalacia
14. hematemesis
15. Dysphagia
16. polycythemia
17. chondrectomy
18. gastroscope
19. cephalic
20. Pathology
Short Answer
21. A condition in which toxins are found in
the blood
22. Debility and weakness of muscle
23. A nosebleed
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24. An abnormal reduction of calcium in the
tissues and fluids of the body
25. Rupture of the amnion
Chapter 2/ Understanding Suffixes 25
Wingerd, In-Class Activities to Accompany Medical Terminology Complete!, 2nd Edition
Word Search
1.suffix
2.pertaining
3.study
4.measure
5.disease
6.vomiting
7.softening
8.swallowing
9.speaking
10. formation
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© 2013 Pearson Education, Inc.
Wingerd, In-Class Activities to Accompany Medical Terminology Complete!, 2nd Edition
CHAPTeR 2
Understanding Suffixes
Worksheet 2 Answers
Building Medical Terms
1.cardiologist
2.dermatologist
3.neurology; neurologist
4.pathology; pathologist
5.pulmonology; pulmonologist
© 2013 Pearson Education, Inc.
Chapter 2/ Understanding Suffixes 27
Wingerd, In-Class Activities to Accompany Medical Terminology Complete!, 2nd Edition
CHAPTER 2
Understanding Suffixes
Worksheet 3 Answers
Which Term Does Not Belong?
1.B 2.E 3.D 4.C 5.B The suffix -ous relates to the root but does not indicate a state or action
The suffix -scope identifies an instrument used for viewing or examining
The suffix -oma indicates a tumor
The suffix -osis indicates a condition rather than a medical specialty
The suffix -iatry indicates a medical specialty
28 Chapter 2/ Understanding Suffixes
© 2013 Pearson Education, Inc.
Wingerd, In-Class Activities to Accompany Medical Terminology Complete!, 2nd Edition
CHAPTER 2
Understanding Suffixes
Worksheet 4 Answers
Crossword Puzzle
Solution:
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© 2013 Pearson Education, Inc.
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Chapter 2/ Understanding Suffixes 29
Wingerd, In-Class Activities to Accompany Medical Terminology Complete!, 2nd Edition