- -adTowardExample: Cephalad - toward the head
- -algiaPainExample: Cervicalgia - neck pain
- -astheniaWeaknessExample: Myasthenia - muscle weakness
- -blastImmature, formingExample: Cytoblast - immature cell
- -celeHerniaExample: Hydrocele - a collection of serous fluid in a sacculated cavity
- -cidal, -cideDestroying, killingExample: Cytocide - an agent that is destructive to cells
- -clasis
- -clastBreaking instrumentExample: Cranioclast - an obsolete instrument used for crushing the head of a demised fetus for extraction
- -crineSecretingExample: Apocrine - gland that secretes hormones
- -critSeparateExample: Hematocrit - percentage of volume of blood sample that is composed of cells
- -cyteCellExample: Leukocyte - white blood cell
- -cytosisCondition of cellsExample: Leukocytosis - condition of elevated white blood cells
- -dermaSkinExample: Leukoderma - an absence of pigment in the skin
- -desisBindingExample: Pleurodesis - a fibrous adhesion between two layers of pleura
- -dyniaPainExample: Gastrodynia - stomach ache
- -ectasiaExpansion, dilationExample: Angiectasia - dilation of a lymphatic or blood vessel
- -ectomyRemoval ofExample: Splenectomy - removal of spleen
- -edemaSwellingExample: Myxedema - hypothyroid characterized by a hard swelling of subcutaneous tissue
- -emaConditionExample: Emphysema - a condition of the lungs involving enlarged air space in connective tissue
- -emesisVomitingExample: Hyperemesis - excessive vomiting
- - emiaBloodExample: Hypokalemia - abnormal low potassium in the blood
- -emicRelating to bloodExample: Hyperemic - denoting increased blood flow to a part or organ
- -esthesiaSensationExample: Paresthesia - abnormal sensation, such a tingling
- -formIn the shape ofExample: Chloroform - used as an inhalant to produce general anesthesia
- -genA substance or agent producing, coming to beExample: Oxygen - gaseous element essential to plant and animal life
- -genesisProduction ofExample: Osteogenesis - the production of bone
- -genicProducingExample: Cytogenic - forming or producing of cells
- -globinProteinExample: Hemoglobin - protein of red blood cells
- -globulinProteinExample: Gamma-globulin - a protein in the blood, ie. immunoglobulin
- -gramA recordingExample: Arthrogram - imaging of a joint by contrast material
- -graphRecording instrumentExample: Cardiograph - an instrument for graphically recording movements of the heart
- -graphyProcess of recordingExample: Angiography - radiography of blood vessles by contrast agent
- -iasisPathological condition or stateExample: Cholelithiasis - presence of stone in the gallbladder
- -icPertaining toExample: Anemic - pertaining to the blood
- -icsTreatment, practice, body of knowledge
- -ismCondition, disease, doctrineExample: Hypothyroidism - the condition of having an abnormally low producing thyroid
- -itisInflammationExample: Dermatitis - an inflammation of the skin
- -kinesia; -kinesisMovementExample: Hyperkinesis - excessive muscular movement
- -lepsyCondition ofExample: Epilepsy - condition with having seizures
- -lepticHaving seizuresExample: Epileptic - person with epilepsy
- -logistOne who practicesExample: Cardiologist - one who practices medicine of the heart
- -logyStudy, practiceExample: Pathology - study of diseases
- -lysisDestruction ofExample: Paralysis - loss of power of voluntary movement
- -lyticDestroyingExample: Hemolytic - agent that is destructive to blood cells
- -malaciaSofteningExample: Osteomalacia - gradual softening of bone
- -maniaObsessionExample: Pyromania - obsessive thoughts regarding fire
- -megalyEnlargementExample: Cardiomegaly - abnormal enlargement of the heart
- -meterMeasuring deviceExample: Thermometer - used for measuring temperature
- -metryMeasurementExample: Oximetry - device used to measure oxygen saturation
- -oidLike, resemblingExample: Hemorrhoid - varicose condition of the external hemorrhoidal vein
- -omaTumor, neoplasmExample: Glioma - neoplasm of the brain
- -opia; -opsiaVisionExample: Diplopia - double vision
- -opsyView ofExample: Autopsy - examination of a dead body's organs
- -osisCondition, state, processExample: Keratosis - any lesion on the skin marked by overgrowths from the horny layer
- -ostomyOpeningExample: Tracheostomy - surgical opening in the trachea
- -oxiaOxygenExample: Hypoxia - abnormally low levels of oxygen prior to anoxia
- -paraBearingExample: Primipara - woman who has given birth once
- -paresisSlight paralysisExample: Hemiparesis - weakness effecting one side of the body
- -parousGemmiparous - reproducing by buds
- -pathyDiseaseExample: Cardiopathy - any disease of the heart
- -peniaDeficiencyExample: Thrombocytopenia - condition of low numbers of thrombocytes in the blood
- -pepsiaDigestionExample: Hyperpepsia - abnormally rapid digestion
- -pexyFixation, usually done surgicallyExample: Hysteropexy - fixation of a displaced uterus
- -phage; -phagia; -phagyEating, devouringExample: Macrophage - a cell that eats invaders
- -phasiaSpeakingExample: Dysphasia - difficulty in swallowing
- -pheresisRemovalExample: Leukapheresis - removal of leukocytes from drawn blood
- -phil; -philiaAttraction, affinity forExample: Hemophilia - permanent tendency toward bleeding
- -phobiaFearExample: Agoraphobia - irrational fear of the open or unfamiliar
- -phoniaSoundExample: Dysphonia - altered voice production
- -phoresisCarryingExample: Diaphoresis - perspiration
- -phoriaFeeling, carryingExample: Adiaphoria - non-response to stimuli
- -phreniaOf the mindExample: Hebephrenia - a disorganized type of schizophrenia
- -phthisisWasting awayExample: Hemophthisis - anemia
- -phylaxisProtectionExample: Anaphylaxis - a sever reaction to an agent the body recognizes as an invader
- -physisGrowingExample: Epiphysis - part of a long bone distinct from and growing out of the shaft
- -plakiaPlaqueExample: melanoplakia - colored patches on the mucous membrane
- -plasiaFormationExample: Hyperplasia - an increase of the normal number of cells in an organ
- -plasmFormationExample: Cytoplasm - a substance of protoplasm in a cell
- -plasticFormingExample: Neoplastic - containing a neoplasm or the characteristics of one
- -plastySurgical repairExample: Dermatoplasty - surgical repair of the skin
- -plegiaParalysisExample: Paraplegia - paralysis of both lower extremities
- -plegicOne who is paralyzedExample: Paraplegic - one who has paraplegia
- -pneaBreathExample: Dyspnea - difficult or abnormal breathing
- -poiesisFormationExample: Thrombopoiesis - formation of thrombocytes
- -poieticFormingExample: Erythropoietic - of the formation of red blood cells
- -poietinOne that formsExample: Erythropoietin - an acid that aids in the formation of red blood cells
- -porosisLessening in densityExample: Osteoporosis - lessening if bone density
- -ptosisFalling down, droopingExample: Nephroptosis - when the kidney sinks into the pelvis cavity
- -rrhageDischarging heavilyExample: Hemorrhage - to bleed heavily
- -rrhagiaHeavy discharge Example: Menorrhagia - Excessive menstrual bleeding
- -rrhaphySurgical suturingExample: Colorrhaphy - suture of the colon
- -rrheaA flowing, a fluxExample: Rhinorrhea - runny nose
- -rrhexisRuptureExample: Angiorrhexis - ruptured blood vessel
- -schisisSplitting internal body cavityExample: Spondyloschisis - failure of fusion of the vertebral arch in an embryo
- -scopeInstrument (especially one used for observing)Example: Laparoscope - a scope used for examining the peritoneal cavity
- -scopyUse of an instrument for observingExample: Endoscopy - use of instruments to view an
- -somniaSleepExample: Hypersomnia - excessive day time sleep
- -spasmContractionExample: Myospasm - spastic contractions of the muscle
- -stalsisContractionExample: Retrostalsis - backward motion of the intestine
- -stasisStopping, constantExample: Cholestasis - a condition where bile flow from the liver is blocked
- -statAgent to maintain a stateExample: Hemostat - an agent that arrests the blow of blood
- -staticMaintaining a stateExample: Orthostatic - relating to an erect posture
- -stenosisNarrowingExample: Aortic stenosis - a narrowing of the aortic valve
- -stomyOpeningExample: Gastrostomy - surgical opening in the stomach (usually for a feeding tube)
- -tomeCutting instrument, segmentExample: Dermatome - an instrument for making thin slices of the skin
- -tomyCutting operationExample: Craniotomy - surgical operation that removes a portion of the skull to access the brain
- -trophicNutritionalExample: Hypotrophic - progressive degeneration of organs and tissue
- -trophyNutritionExample: Atrophy - a wasting away of the body
- -tropiaTurningExample: Anatropia - deviation of the axis of one eye upward
- -tropicTurning towardExample: Dexiotropic - twisting in a spiral fashion from left to right
- -tropyCondition of turning towardExample: Neurotropy - affinity of certain contrasts mediums for nervous tissue
- -uriaUrineExample: Dysuria - painful or difficult urination
- -versionTurningExample: Retroversion - a turning backward
Medical Coding
Medical coding is dependent upon a solid understanding of medical terminology.
To be successful and accurate medical coders must have a solid understanding of common medical terms for various reasons which include:
- Reading and understanding medical dictation
- Proper code look up and selection
- Communicating with physicians, insurance companies, and other medical professionals
- Understanding human anatomy
- Appealing claim denials
Suffixes
Suffixes are word parts that are conjoined with a root word.Suffixes are placed at the end of the root word and end the medical term.
The main purpose of these word parts is to modify the existing explanation of a word without changing it.
Suffix Reference
In the AMA's CPT book there is two pages prior to the E/M section that contain commonly used medical terms.These pages include full terms, prefixes, suffixes, and root words.
In addition to the medical terminology there are also anatomical illustrations that include body planes and directional terms.