-ad: Toward Example: Cephalad – Toward the head, commonly used to describe directional movement or anatomical orientation.

-al: Pertaining to Example: Dermal – Pertaining to the skin, particularly the dermis layer, which contains blood vessels, nerves, and connective tissue.

-coccus: Berry-shaped Example: Staphylococcus – A type of berry-shaped bacterium that can cause skin infections such as boils, abscesses, or cellulitis.

-cyte: Cell Example: Melanocyte – A pigment-producing cell in the skin responsible for producing melanin, which protects against UV radiation.

-ectomy: Excision Example: Lipectomy – Surgical removal of fat, often performed for cosmetic reasons or to address localized fat deposits.

-gen: Substance that produces/causes, agent that produces/causes Example: Pathogen – An agent, such as a bacterium, virus, or fungus, that causes diseases, including skin infections like impetigo.

-genic: Producing, originating, causing Example: Carcinogenic – Producing cancer, often describing substances like UV rays or tobacco that can lead to skin or other cancers.

-ia: Condition of, diseased state, abnormal state Example: Alopecia – A condition of hair loss that autoimmune diseases, genetic factors, or treatments like chemotherapy can cause.

-itis: Inflammation Example: Dermatitis – Inflammation of the skin, which may result from allergic reactions, irritants, or infections.

-logist: Specialist who studies and treats Example: Dermatologist – A medical specialist who diagnoses and treats skin disorders such as acne, eczema, and skin cancer.

-logy: Study of Example: Dermatology – The study of the skin, including its structure, function, and diseases.

-malacia: Softening Example: Onychomalacia – Softening of the nails, which can occur due to fungal infections or malnutrition.

-oid: Resembling Example: Xanthoid – Resembling yellow, often describing yellowish discolorations of the skin or lesions.

-oma: Tumor, swelling Example: Lipoma – A benign tumor composed of fatty tissue, often found under the skin.

-opsy: View of, process of viewing, viewing Example: Biopsy – The process of removing tissue samples for microscopic examination to diagnose skin cancer or other diseases.

-osis: Abnormal condition, increased numbers pertaining to blood Example: Erythrodermosis – A condition characterized by widespread redness and peeling of the skin, often linked to disorders such as eczema or psoriasis.

-ous: Pertaining to Example: Sebaceous – Pertaining to sebum or oil, such as the sebaceous glands that produce skin oil.

-pathy: Disease Example: Dermatopathy – A disease of the skin, including conditions like psoriasis or eczema.

-plasia: Development, growth, condition of formation Example: Hyperplasia – Excessive growth of cells or tissues, which may lead to benign skin growths.

-plasty: Surgical repair Example: Blepharoplasty – A surgical procedure to repair or reshape the eyelids, often performed to remove excess skin or correct drooping eyelids for functional or cosmetic purposes.

-rrhea: Flow Example: Seborrhea – Excessive secretion of sebum, leading to oily skin and dandruff.

-rrhage, -rrhagia: Excessive discharge Example: Hemorrhage – Excessive bleeding, which may occur externally or internally.

-stasis: Stop, controlling, standing Example: Hemostasis – The stopping of blood flow, critical in wound healing.

-tome: Instrument used to cut Example: Dermatome – An instrument used to cut thin slices of skin for grafting or diagnostic purposes.