What is the meaning of the suffix -graph?

Dive into medical terminology with The Pitt Medical Terminology Test. Enhance your learning using flashcards and multiple choice questions. Prepare for your exam confidently with detailed hints and explanations.

Multiple Choice

What is the meaning of the suffix -graph?

Explanation:
The suffix -graph signals writing or recording. It comes from the Greek graphein, to write, so it points to something that records data or a device that performs the recording. In medical terms you’ll see words like cardiograph or electrocardiograph, which are instruments that record heart activity, producing a written or drawn record of those signals. While a photograph yields an image, the idea behind -graph is about recording information, not merely producing an image. It isn’t about measuring (that would be -meter) or about a visual examination (that would be -scopy). So the best match is written record or instrument for recording.

The suffix -graph signals writing or recording. It comes from the Greek graphein, to write, so it points to something that records data or a device that performs the recording. In medical terms you’ll see words like cardiograph or electrocardiograph, which are instruments that record heart activity, producing a written or drawn record of those signals. While a photograph yields an image, the idea behind -graph is about recording information, not merely producing an image. It isn’t about measuring (that would be -meter) or about a visual examination (that would be -scopy). So the best match is written record or instrument for recording.

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