Medical Suffix
-ectasis
-ectasis means expansion or dilation (from the Greek ektasis, meaning a stretching out).
What does -ectasis mean?
The suffix -ectasis means the stretching out, expansion, or dilation of a structure. Confusingly, in one very common word it appears in the opposite sense: atelectasis means incomplete expansion, or collapse, of the lung. The suffix comes from the Greek word ektasis. For example, bronchiectasis is the abnormal widening of the airways. It appears mainly in respiratory and vascular terms.
Example words using -ectasis
Related word parts
Frequently asked questions
What does -ectasis mean?
The suffix -ectasis means expansion or dilation of a structure, and comes from Greek.
What is bronchiectasis?
It is the abnormal widening of the airways, combining bronch/o with -ectasis.
What is atelectasis?
It is incomplete expansion, or collapse, of the lung, combining atel/o (incomplete) with -ectasis.
Study reference only — not medical advice. Always consult qualified sources for clinical decisions.