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Quizzes > Health & Medicine

Pathology Prefix and Suffix Quiz for Medical Terminology

Quick, free quiz to test your pathology word parts. Instant results.

Editorial: Review CompletedCreated By: Alan KleinUpdated Aug 24, 2025
Difficulty: Moderate
2-5mins
Learning OutcomesCheat Sheet
Paper art illustration quiz medical terms gastroenterologist ectomy pathology prefixes suffixes on golden yellow background

Use this quiz to practice pathology prefixes and suffixes and build quick recall of common word parts. For a brush-up, try the medical word parts quiz, review osis suffix meaning, or drill basics in the medical prefixes quiz before you dive in. You will see instant results after each question.

What does the suffix -itis denote in medical terminology?
Disease
Surgical removal
Inflammation
Tumor
The suffix -itis originates from Greek and is used to indicate inflammation of an organ or tissue. For example, arthritis refers to inflammation of the joints. It is one of the most common suffixes in pathology nomenclature. .
The prefix gastro- refers to which organ system?
Brain
Kidneys
Lungs
Stomach
Gastro- is a combining form derived from the Greek word gaster, meaning stomach. It appears in terms like gastritis (inflammation of the stomach) and gastroenterology (study of the stomach and intestines). Recognizing this prefix helps identify conditions and specialties related to the stomach. .
What does the suffix -ectomy mean?
Surgical removal
Visual examination
Tumor development
Inflammation
The suffix -ectomy denotes surgical removal of a body part or tissue, such as appendectomy (removal of the appendix). It is commonly used in operative procedure names to indicate excision. Understanding -ectomy helps in interpreting surgical reports and terminology. .
What does the suffix -oma generally indicate in pathology?
Inflammation
Tumor or neoplasm
Cell death
Disease
The suffix -oma is used to indicate a tumor or neoplasm, which can be benign or malignant. Examples include lipoma (benign fatty tissue tumor) and melanoma (malignant skin tumor). It is essential for classifying growths in pathology. .
The prefix cardio- refers to which organ?
Lung
Kidney
Heart
Liver
Cardio- originates from the Greek word kardia, meaning heart. It is found in terms like cardiology (study of the heart) and myocardial (relating to the heart muscle). Recognizing this prefix is crucial in cardiopathology. .
What does the suffix -pathy indicate in medical terminology?
Removal
Treatment
Study of
Disease
The suffix -pathy denotes disease or disorder of an organ or system, such as neuropathy (nerve disease) and cardiomyopathy (heart muscle disease). It helps specify pathological conditions. This suffix is distinct from -ology, which refers to the study of. .
A gastroenterologist specializes in disorders of the:
Heart and blood vessels
Brain and nerves
Lungs and airways
Stomach and intestines
A gastroenterologist diagnoses and treats diseases of the gastrointestinal tract, including the stomach and intestines. The prefix gastro- refers to stomach and entero- to intestine. Their expertise includes conditions like ulcers, IBS, and liver disease. .
The term adenocarcinoma refers to:
Accumulation of lymph fluid
Inflammation of a gland
A malignant tumor of glandular tissue
A benign glandular tumor
Adeno- refers to glandular tissue and -carcinoma indicates a malignant epithelial tumor. Adenocarcinomas can occur in organs like the colon, breast, and lung. Recognizing this term is vital in oncology and pathology diagnostics. .
The prefix neo- in pathology indicates:
Opposite or against
Large or excessive
Small or deficient
New or recent origin
The prefix neo- comes from the Greek neos, meaning new. In pathology it often refers to new growth, as in neoplasm (new tissue growth). It is a key part of terms like neonatal (newborn) and neoplastic (relating to abnormal new growth). .
What does the suffix -stenosis mean in a pathological context?
Inflammation
Hardening
Narrowing
Dilation
The suffix -stenosis indicates abnormal narrowing of a passage or orifice, such as spinal stenosis or aortic stenosis. It originates from the Greek word stenos, meaning narrow. Recognizing -stenosis is critical in diagnosing vascular and structural conditions. .
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Study Outcomes

  1. Understand core pathology prefix and suffix fundamentals -

    Gain clarity on the building blocks of pathology prefix and suffix combinations to master medical term meanings.

  2. Identify supra prefix medical usage -

    Recognize and interpret how the supra prefix medical element modifies root words in clinical terminology.

  3. Differentiate medical terminology suffix ectomy endings -

    Distinguish various ectomy suffixes to accurately define surgical removal procedures.

  4. Analyze gastroenterologist prefix and suffix constructs -

    Break down components of gastroenterologist prefix and suffix patterns to enhance comprehension of digestive system terms.

  5. Apply pathology suffix and prefix knowledge in context -

    Use your understanding of pathology suffix and prefix rules to solve quiz questions with confidence.

  6. Evaluate term formation and reinforce vocabulary -

    Assess different term formations to strengthen retention and build a robust medical vocabulary for academic and professional use.

Cheat Sheet

  1. Core Pathology Prefix and Suffix -

    Focus on "patho-" (disease) and "-ology" (study of) to understand "pathology." A mnemonic like "PATHO: Patient Ailments Told Histories Obviously" helps cement these basics. Mastering these key roots unlocks a wealth of pathology suffix and prefix terms.

  2. Supra Prefix Medical Applications -

    Learn that "supra-" means "above" or "over," as seen in "supraclavicular" (above the collarbone). Try the memory phrase "SUPRA = Super Above" to recall the meaning instantly. Recognizing supra prefix medical usage boosts your anatomical term skills.

  3. Ectomy Suffixes for Surgical Removal -

    Remember "-ectomy" denotes surgical removal, seen in "appendectomy" (appendix removal) or "tonsillectomy." A playful rhyme like "Ectomy: we cut 'em away" can help. Mastering the medical terminology suffix ectomy ensures you know when procedures involve excision.

  4. Gastroenterologist Prefix and Suffix Breakdown -

    "Gastro-" refers to the stomach and "-enterology" to the study of the intestines, combining into "gastroenterology." Break it down: "GASTRO" + "ENTERO" + "LOGY" to remember each component. This approach clarifies complex gastroenterologist prefix and suffix constructions.

  5. Combining Forms and Vowel Linking -

    Notice how combining vowel "-o-" connects roots and suffixes smoothly, as in "hepat/o/megaly" for liver enlargement. Practicing with terms like "cardiomegaly" versus "carditis" sharpens your familiarity with when to use a vowel link. Mastering these rules makes pathology prefix and suffix building second nature.

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