What suffix indicates an abnormal condition?

Prepare for the Medical Terminology Test. Practice with flashcards and multiple choice questions, each question has hints and explanations. Get ready for your exam!

The suffix that indicates an abnormal condition is "-osis." This suffix is commonly used in medical terminology to refer to a condition that is usually pathological or abnormal in nature. For example, "neurosis" indicates a mental health condition characterized by anxiety and other symptoms, while "fibrosis" refers to an abnormal thickening and scarring of connective tissue.

The other suffixes listed have different meanings: "-algia" refers specifically to pain in a specified area, as seen in "myalgia," which means muscle pain. "-dynia" also denotes pain but is typically used in a more specific context, such as in "gastrodynia," which refers to stomach pain. "-megaly" indicates enlargement of an organ, such as in "hepatomegaly," which means enlargement of the liver. Each of these suffixes conveys a specific type of condition but does not universally indicate an abnormal state like "-osis" does.

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