Suffixes are attached to the end of words and convey the underlying meaning. They can indicate a procedure, diagnosis, or what is happening. Examples are hepatitis, which means liver inflammation from the suffixes hepat/itis, and rhinoplasty, meaning nose surgical repair from rhino/plasty. Suffixes like -itis mean inflammation, -osis indicate a condition, -pathy a disease, -ology is the study of, and -ectomy refers to surgical removal.

1. Suffixes
Prefix
•Attaches to the end of the word and carries the underlying meaning of the word.
•Indicate procedure, diagnosis or what is happening .
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2. Example
• HEPATITIS – HEPAT/IT IS
Suffix that means
inflammation
RHINOPLASTY - RHINO/PLASTY
Suffix that means
surgical repair

3. Apply Your Knowledge
Using suffixes, match the meanings.
Meaning Term
•Inflammation -itis
•Condition
-osis
•Disease
-pathy
•Study of
•Surgical removal -ology
-ectomy
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