1. SUFFIXES
CHAPTER 3
Copyright © 2003 by Delmar Learning, a division of Thomson Learning, Inc. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED

2. Suffixes Remember Every medical word has an ending
Meaning of suffix does not change
Suffix does change meaning of the word
Every medical word has an ending
Either a suffix or a complete word
Suffixes make a word a noun or an adjective
Copyright © 2003 by Delmar Learning, a division of Thomson Learning, Inc. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED

3. Suffixes: Rule When suffix begins with a consonant
Combining vowel is needed to attach suffix to word root
Example: cephalodynia
Breakdown of word: cephal / o / dynia
Root = cephal
Combining vowel = o (is needed)
Suffix = dynia (begins with consonant)
Copyright © 2003 by Delmar Learning, a division of Thomson Learning, Inc. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED

4. Suffixes: Rule When suffix begins with a vowel
Combining vowel is not needed to attach suffix to word root
Example word: cephalalgia
Breakdown of word: cephal / algia
Root = cephal
Combining form = (not needed)
Suffix = algia (begins with a vowel)
Copyright © 2003 by Delmar Learning, a division of Thomson Learning, Inc. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED

5. Suffixes: Rule Remember When defining a medical term
Define suffix first
Define prefix second
Define word root(s) last
Copyright © 2003 by Delmar Learning, a division of Thomson Learning, Inc. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED

6. Suffixes Suffixes indicate specialties and/or specialists
May be specialist in a field of study
May be one who specializes in the study of
May be one who treats
Suffixes indicate instruments
May be an instrument used to view
May be an instrument used to measure
Copyright © 2003 by Delmar Learning, a division of Thomson Learning, Inc. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED

7. Suffixes Suffixes indicate surgical and diagnostic procedures
May be surgical puncture
May be process of recording
May be process of viewing with a scope
May be incision into
Copyright © 2003 by Delmar Learning, a division of Thomson Learning, Inc. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED

8. Forming Plurals When singular form ends in ‘a’
Change the ‘a’ to ‘ae’
When singular form ends in ‘ax’
Change the ‘ax’ to ‘aces’
When singular form ends in ‘is’
Change the ‘is’ to ‘es’
Copyright © 2003 by Delmar Learning, a division of Thomson Learning, Inc. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED

9. Forming Plurals (continued)
When singular form ends in ‘ix’, ‘ex’, or ‘yx’
Change the ‘ix’, ‘ex’, or ‘yx’ to ‘ices’
When singular form ends in ‘on’
Change the ‘on’ to ‘a’
When the singular form ends in ‘um’
Change the ‘um’ to ‘a’
Copyright © 2003 by Delmar Learning, a division of Thomson Learning, Inc. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED

10. Forming Plurals (continued)
When the singular form ends in ‘us’
Change the ‘us’ to ‘i’
When the singular form ends in ‘ma’
Change the ‘ma’ to ‘mata’
Copyright © 2003 by Delmar Learning, a division of Thomson Learning, Inc. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED

11. Let’s Play Suffix Bingo
Using your blank bingo card with ‘free space’
Fill in each blank with a different suffix
Instructor will call out definitions
You will cross box with an ‘x’ if you have the suffix
You can bingo vertically, horizontally, diagonally, or all 4 corners
To win, you must have correct suffixes and be able to define each suffix
Copyright © 2003 by Delmar Learning, a division of Thomson Learning, Inc. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED