Which suffix indicates 'abnormal condition, disease'?

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

Which suffix indicates 'abnormal condition, disease'?

Explanation:
Suffix -ia signals a condition or disease state. It turns a root into a noun that names a condition, such as anemia or insomnia, illustrating an abnormal state rather than just a simple action or quality. That makes it the clearest way among these options to convey an abnormal condition or disease. The other endings have different roles: -ago isn’t a standard disease suffix, -esis denotes a process or state, and -ism denotes a condition or doctrine, but not specifically a disease name. So the best match for indicating a disease or abnormal condition is -ia.

Suffix -ia signals a condition or disease state. It turns a root into a noun that names a condition, such as anemia or insomnia, illustrating an abnormal state rather than just a simple action or quality. That makes it the clearest way among these options to convey an abnormal condition or disease. The other endings have different roles: -ago isn’t a standard disease suffix, -esis denotes a process or state, and -ism denotes a condition or doctrine, but not specifically a disease name. So the best match for indicating a disease or abnormal condition is -ia.

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