Suffixes in medical terminology are positioned at which part of a word?

In medical terminology, suffixes are positioned at the end of a word. This is a fundamental aspect of how medical terms are constructed and understood. Suffixes often provide important information about the term, such as indicating a condition, disease, procedure, or part of speech. For example, in the term "cardiology," the suffix "-logy" means "study of," thus the term refers to the study of the heart.

Understanding the position of suffixes is critical for adequately interpreting and forming medical terms, as they often clarify the meaning of the root word or combining form. The logical structure of medical terminology typically follows a pattern where the root provides the base meaning, while the suffix modifies that meaning or specifies it further. This systematic approach helps healthcare professionals communicate clearly and effectively.