What suffix is used to indicate a condition or disease?

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Study for the Medical Terminology Test. Prepare with flashcards and multiple-choice questions, each question with explanations and hints. Ace your exam!

The suffix that indicates a condition or disease is often represented by multiple options, but -osis is one of the most direct and commonly used suffixes to convey this meaning. The suffix -osis is specifically used to describe a pathological condition, disease process, or an abnormal state relating to a specific organ or system in the body. For example, "psychosis" refers to a severe mental disorder, while "embryosis" describes the state of being an embryo.

While -itis indicates inflammation (such as in "arthritis"), -ism refers to a practice or condition (like "baptism"), and -opathy signifies a disease or disorder (as seen in "neuropathy"), -osis directly denotes a condition that is typically abnormal or pathological, thus making it particularly relevant in medical terminology related to diseases. This distinction is essential for understanding the context of various medical terms and their implications in diagnosing and describing conditions.

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