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SEER Training Modules
11/27/12 - The NCI is working on updating materials.

Suffix

A true suffix refers to a syllable or a group of syllables attached to the end of a word root (or stem) to modify the meaning of the word root. By adding a suffix to a word root, one may change the meaning of a word, or merely change its grammatical function, i.e., create a noun or an adjective. Following are a few medical terms which commonly used suffixes.

Medical Term Suffix Root Definition
cuboid -oid like, resembling, in the front of
glucose -ose composed of carbohydrate
dermatitis -itis inflammation of
arthrosis -osis condition of
hemolysis -lysis breakdown, destruction of
cytology -ology study of

Click here for an exercise on suffixes.