The suffix -megaly indicates which meaning?

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

Multiple Choice

The suffix -megaly indicates which meaning?

Explanation:
Think of the suffix -megaly as signaling that something has grown larger. It attaches to a word root that names an organ or structure, and the whole term means that the listed organ or part is enlarged. For example, cardiomegaly means the heart is enlarged, and hepatomegaly means the liver is enlarged. The suffix itself doesn’t name the organ; it describes the change in size. Other roots point to the organ (hepat- for liver) or to different processes (malacia for softening), so they don’t convey the meaning of enlargement the way -megaly does.

Think of the suffix -megaly as signaling that something has grown larger. It attaches to a word root that names an organ or structure, and the whole term means that the listed organ or part is enlarged. For example, cardiomegaly means the heart is enlarged, and hepatomegaly means the liver is enlarged. The suffix itself doesn’t name the organ; it describes the change in size. Other roots point to the organ (hepat- for liver) or to different processes (malacia for softening), so they don’t convey the meaning of enlargement the way -megaly does.

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