What does the suffix -algia mean?

• A. Pain, suffering
• B. Bad, painful, difficult
• C. Surgical removal
• D. Inflammation

Answer: (A)

The main idea here is understanding what the suffix -algia indicates. It signals pain in the part of the body named by the root it attaches to. That’s why terms like neuralgia (nerve pain) or myalgia (muscle pain) exist. So -algia literally means pain or suffering, which is why that option is the best answer.

The other concepts reflect different word parts: -itis denotes inflammation, -ectomy means surgical removal. Those describe different medical ideas, not the sensation of pain.