Which suffix denotes meaning "pertaining to"?

• A. -Al
• B. -ItiS
• C. -Pathy
• D. -Osis

Answer: (A)

Suffix -al turns a root into an adjective that means “pertaining to” or “relating to.” In medical terms, it’s used to describe something associated with a specific structure, like renal meaning pertaining to the kidney or neural meaning pertaining to nerves. Among the options, -al is the only suffix that conveys this relational meaning. The others indicate different ideas: -itis means inflammation, -osis indicates a condition or process, and -pathy refers to disease or suffering of a structure. Therefore, -al is the best fit for “pertaining to.”