How to Learn the Medical Suffixes
The suffix is the end of a medical term, and it usually tells you the condition, procedure or specialty. Learn the common ones and you can decode words like "appendectomy" and "cardiology" instantly. This deck drills the highest-yield suffixes.
There are 15 cards in the deck below. You can read through them, practise them right here with the flip-card player, and then save the deck to study properly with spaced repetition — the method that makes them stick for months, not minutes.
Why the common medical suffixes is hard to memorize (and the fix)
The surgical suffixes are the classic trap: -ectomy (remove), -otomy (cut into), -ostomy (make an opening) sound alike but mean very different operations. Learning them side by side fixes it.
The fix is active recall plus spaced repetition. Instead of re-reading the list (which feels productive but barely works), you test yourself — pull each answer out of memory — and you review each card on a schedule that stretches over time. Every time you successfully recall a fact, the memory gets stronger and the next review is pushed further out. That's how you go from "I saw it once" to "I just know it."
The fastest way to learn the common medical suffixes
- Break it into small batches. Learn the "condition" suffixes first (-itis, -osis, -pathy), then the surgical ones (-ectomy, -otomy, -ostomy, -plasty), then the diagnostic ones (-scopy, -gram).
- Test, don't re-read. Look at the question, say the answer out loud before flipping the card. The little struggle to recall is what builds the memory — a smooth re-read does almost nothing.
- Review on a schedule. Spaced repetition shows you each card right before you'd forget it. Get one right and it comes back in a few days, then a week, then a month. Miss one and it comes back sooner.
- Keep sessions short and daily. Five to ten minutes a day beats a two-hour cram every time. Consistency is the whole game.
One fact per card. -itis always means inflammation — appendicitis, arthritis, dermatitis all follow the rule.
The full deck: the Medical Suffixes
Here's every card in the set. Practise them above, or save the deck and let spaced repetition schedule your reviews automatically.
| Suffix | Meaning |
|---|---|
| What does "-itis" mean? | Inflammation (e.g. arthritis) |
| What does "-ectomy" mean? | Surgical removal (e.g. appendectomy) |
| What does "-otomy" mean? | Cutting into / incision (e.g. tracheotomy) |
| What does "-ostomy" mean? | Creating a surgical opening (e.g. colostomy) |
| What does "-ology" mean? | The study of (e.g. cardiology) |
| What does "-pathy" mean? | Disease (e.g. neuropathy) |
| What does "-algia" mean? | Pain (e.g. neuralgia) |
| What does "-emia" mean? | A blood condition (e.g. anemia) |
| What does "-osis" mean? | An abnormal condition (e.g. cyanosis) |
| What does "-oma" mean? | A tumour or mass (e.g. carcinoma) |
| What does "-megaly" mean? | Enlargement (e.g. cardiomegaly) |
| What does "-plasty" mean? | Surgical repair (e.g. rhinoplasty) |
| What does "-scopy" mean? | Visual examination (e.g. endoscopy) |
| What does "-rrhea" mean? | Flow or discharge (e.g. diarrhea) |
| What does "-penia" mean? | Deficiency / lack of (e.g. leukopenia) |
Save this deck and actually remember it
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Study this deck free →FAQ: learning the common medical suffixes
How long does it take to learn the common medical suffixes?
Most people can lock in the common medical suffixes within one to three weeks of short daily sessions. With spaced repetition doing 10–15 cards a day, you'll recognise them within days and recall them reliably within a couple of weeks.
What's the best way to memorize the common medical suffixes?
Active recall plus spaced repetition. Test yourself instead of re-reading, and review on a schedule that spaces the cards out over time. Flashcards are built for exactly this — which is why the deck above is the fastest path.
Is this deck free?
Yes. You can practise all 15 cards on this page for free with no account. Sign up (also free) to save the deck and let spaced repetition schedule your reviews so it sticks long-term.