The document provides examples of medical terminology suffixes and how they are used to describe conditions related to the nervous system. The suffixes -plegia, -esthesia, and -paresis are discussed. -Plegia indicates paralysis and can be combined with prefixes to specify the degree, such as monoplegia meaning paralysis of one limb. -Esthesia refers to sensation, with examples like anesthesia meaning without sensation. -Paresis describes weakness, such as hemiparesis meaning weakness on one side of the body.

1. A Highlight of Medical TerminologySarah CzarnotaThe Nervous System

2. -plegia: paralysisCombining this suffix with prefixes such as mono-, para-,or quadri- provides us with information about the degree of paralysis:Monoplegia:Paralysis of oneFor example, the paralysis of the right armParaplegia:Paralysis beside or nearIndicates paralysis of two nearby limbs, such as both arms or both legsTypically refers to paralysis below the waist (both legs)QuadriplegiaParalysis of fourIndicates paralysis of all four limbs (both legs and both arms)

3. -esthesia: feeling or sensationThis suffix can be combined with many descriptive prefixes to provide us with additional information on the type of feeling or sensation:Anesthesia (an-: without):Without feeling or sensationDuring surgery, anesthesia is given to a patient to prevent him/her from feeling the procedure (thankfully!!!)Hyperesthesia (hyper-: over or above):Excessive feeling or sensationComplex regional pain syndrome (CRPS) produces intense feelings of pain from a small stimulus and may be caused by nerve damage (for example, light touching of the foot would feel like being stabbed with a knife)

4. -paresis: weaknessThis suffix can be combined with the prefixes mono- or hemi- to provide us with information about the degree of weakness:Monoparesis (mono-: one):Weakness of one (or part of one)Indicates weakness of one limb (such as the right leg)Hemiparesis (hemi-: half):Weakness in one half of bodyHemiparesis may occur as a symptom of multiple sclerosis, with weakness on the left or right side of the body (depending on the location of the MS lesion)