Principle Suffixes Used in Veterinary Terminology

What are Suffixes?

Suffixes are one or more syllables that are placed at the end of a word, and like prefixes, suffixes cannot stand alone. They are added to the end of a root word to alter or modify the meaning of the word. There are two general rules to consider when combining a root word with a suffix.

1. The last vowel of the root may be changed to another vowel. This vowel is known as a combing vowel and is usually (but not always) an o

2. When the suffix begins with a vowel, the last vowel of the root word may be dropped before adding the suffix.

Memorizing all the words of veterinary language is a highly impractical goal. By learning the meanings of prefixes and suffixes you can break down words into parts to determine their meanings. The following is a list of suffixes most commonly used in veterinary language. Remember spelling is very importatant in medical language.

A

-ac, -al pertaining to, relating to Cardiac (pertaining to the heart)

-algia pain Neuralgia (pain in nerves)

-ate having, resembling Caudate (to make pregnant)

C

-cele prottursion (hernia) Cytocele (bladder hernia)

-centesis surgical puncture Paracentitesis (from the body cavity)

-cle, -cule small (dimunitive) Molecule (small mass)

-cyte cell Leukocyte (white blood cell)

E

-ectomy cutting out Appendectomy (cutting out of the appendix)

-emesis vomit Hematemesis (vomiting blood)

-emia blood condition Hyperemia (increased blood flow)

-ent, -er person or agent Examiner (one who examines)

-esis, -ia state or condition Paresis (partial paralysis)

F

-form resembling, shaped like Fusiform (spindle-shaped)

G

-genesis development, origin Pathogenesis (origin of disease)

-gram recording, record Hemogram (record of blood examination)

-graph instrument that records Cardiograph (heart action)

I

-ible,-ile capable, able Contractile (able to contract)

-itis inflammation Otitis (inflammation of the ear)

-ize use, subject to Anesthetize (subject to anesthesia)

L

-logy science, study of Biology (science of life)

O

-oma tumor Carcinoma (cancerous growth)

P

-penia deficiency of, lack of Eosinopenia (deficiency of eosinophils)

-pexy, -pexis fixation Gastropexy (fixation of the stomach)

-phage eating Macrophage (large engulfing cell)

-phobia abnormal fear Photophobia (intolerance of light)

-plasia forming, growing, changing Anaplasia (changing structure of cells)

-pnea breathing Apnea (absence of breath)

R

-rrhaphy suturing in place Osteorrhaphy (wiring of bone)

-rrhea flow or discharge Seborrhea (excessive sebum secretion)

-rrhexis rupture Enterorrhexis (intestinal rupture)

S

-scope instrument for examining Microscope (used to examine minute objects)

-scopy act of examining Endoscopy (using an endoscope)

-stomy surgical opening Colostomy (surgical opening of colon)

T

-tome instrument for cutting Fetotome (instrument for cutting dead fetus)

-tomy cutting, incision Rumentomy (incision into rumen)