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Suffixes associated with the nervous system
- 1. Suffixes Associated with the Nervous System ByToni Kasprowicz
- 2. - Plegia =paralysis The suffix –plegia is derived from the Greek word “plege,” meaning blow or stroke. It literally means cessation of motion.
- 3. -Plegia Medical problems including this suffix in their terminologies typically result from damage to the spinal cord or brain. Damage to the spinal cord is called a lesion. When a lesion occurs in the patient’s cervical area, quadriplegia will result. This is paralysis of all four extremities. When a lesion occurs in the patient’s thoracic, lumbar, or sacral regions, paraplegia will result. This is paralysis of the lower extremities. Sometimes, paralysis can be caused by diseases like Polio, spinal stenosis, or Spina Bifida.
- 4. -Plegia There are many terms including this suffix that are relatable to the nervous system, including: Cardioplegia – heart paralysis Hemiplegia – paralysis on one side of the body Cystoplegia – bladder paralysis Facioplegia – face paralysis Glossoplegia – tongue paralysis Neuroplegia – any paralysis due to the nervous system Phrenoplegia – diaphragm paralysis
- 5. -Phasia = speech Thissuffix is derived from the Greek word phanai, which means to speak. When used in medical terminology, words with the suffix –phasia usually pertain to a speech disorder.
- 6. -Phasia There are many terms including this suffix that are relatable to the nervous system, including: Agitophasia – rapid speech Aphasia – lack of speech skill sets due to injury or disease of brain centers Bradyphasia – slow speech Paraphasia – speaker’s words jumble unintelligibly, neurological origin Schizophasia – disordered speech of the schizophrenic Tonaphasia – cerebral lesion causes loss of ability to remember musical tunes Allophasia – incoherent speech Coprophasia – stereotyped, convulsive use of obscene language, associated with Tourette’s Syndrome