Diagnostic Suffixes
Common suffixes associated with diagnostic procedures, their meanings, and an example of a related term are presented
in the table that follows. First, study the suffix as well as its meaning and practice pronouncing the term aloud. Then
use the information to complete the meaning of the term. You may also refer to Appendix A: Glossary of Medical
Word Elements, page 548. To build a working vocabulary of medical terms and understand how those terms are used
in the health-care industry, it is important that you complete these exercises.
18 CHAPTER 1• Introduction to Programmed Learning and Medical Word Building
Suffix Term Meaning
-gram electr/o/cardi/o/gram
record, writing ē-lĕk-trō-KĂR-dē-ō-grăm
electr/o: electricity An electrocardiogram allows diagnosis of
cardi/o: heart specific cardiac abnormalities.
-graph cardi/o/graph
instrument for recording KĀR-dē-ō-grăf
cardi/o: heart
-graphy angi/o/graphy
process of recording ăn-jē-ŎG-ră-fē
angi/o: vessel (usually blood
or lymph)
-meter pelv/i/meter*
instrument for measuring pĕl-VĬM-ĕ-tĕr
pelv/i: pelvis
-metry pelv/i/metry*
act of measuring pĕl-VĬM-ĕ-trē
pelv/i: pelvis
-scope endo/scope
instrument for examining ĔN-dō-skōp
endo-: in, within
-scopy endo/scopy
visual examination ĕn-DŎS-kō-pē
endo-: in, withinPronunciation Help Long sound a ̄in ra ̄te e ̄in re ̄birth ı ̄in ı ̄sle o ̄in o ̄ver u ̄in u ̄nite
Short sound a ̆in a ̆lone e ̆in e ̆ver ̆ıin ı ̆t o ̆in no ̆t u ̆in cu ̆t*The iin pelv/i/meteris an exception to the rule of using the connecting vowel o.
Competency Verification:Check your answers in Appendix B: Answer Key, page 560. If you are not satisfied with
your level of comprehension, review the diagnostic suffixes and their meanings.