DEFINITION of -ema

Forms abstract nouns: condition (of), state (of); The suffix -ema is used in medical terminology to denote a condition, state, or pathological result that affects the body. It commonly indicates the presence of fluid accumulation, swelling, tissue changes, or disease states that result from underlying pathological processes. This suffix is particularly prevalent in terms describing abnormal collections of material (such as fluid, blood, or pus) in body tissues or cavities. The conditions denoted by -ema typically represent the end result or manifestation of a disease process rather than the disease mechanism itself. Terms using this suffix often describe observable or measurable pathological states that can be diagnosed clinically or through imaging studies.


ETYMOLOGY of -ema

greek - Origin: Greek

  • Root word: -ēma (ἦμα)
  • Meaning: The Greek suffix derives from the neuter form of nouns indicating “result of” or “condition of
  • Historical development: The suffix entered medical Latin through Greek medical texts and became standardized in Western medical terminology during the development of scientific medicine in the Renaissance and Enlightenment periods

RELATED TERMS to -ema

| -ema | condition (of) | state (of) | - | |:----------:|:--------------:|:----------:|:--------------:| | -a | Yes | Yes | - | | -esis | Yes | Yes | - | | -ia | Yes | Yes | - | | -ism | Yes | Yes | quality of | | -ismus | Yes | Yes | muscular spasm | | -sis | Yes | Yes | - | | -ty | Yes | Yes | - | | -y | Yes | Yes | - |

Terms Using -ema:

  1. edema (oedema) - Swelling caused by excess fluid trapped in body tissues
  2. Empyema - Collection of pus in a body cavity, especially the pleural space
  3. Eczema - Inflammatory skin condition causing itching and rashes
  4. Erythema - Redness of the skin due to capillary dilation
  5. Emphysema - Lung condition involving damaged air sacs (alveoli)
  6. Hematoma - Collection of blood outside blood vessels
  7. lymphedema - Swelling due to lymphatic fluid accumulation
  8. Myxedema - Severe hypothyroidism with skin and tissue swelling
  9. Papilledema - Optic disc swelling (relevant to your ophthalmology specialty)
  10. Pyoderma - Bacterial skin infection producing pus


Med roots dictionary Appendix A Prefixes Appendix B Combining Forms Appendix C Suffixes Appendix D Suffix forms