Which suffix denotes a painful condition?

Study for the Medical Terminology for Health Professions Exam. Use flashcards and multiple choice questions with detailed explanations for each term. Prepare effectively for your upcoming test!

The suffix that denotes a painful condition is "-algia." This suffix is derived from the Greek word "algos," which means pain. In medical terminology, "-algia" is used in various terms to indicate pain in specific areas of the body, such as in "neuralgia" (nerve pain) or "myalgia" (muscle pain). When used in a medical context, it directly conveys that the condition involves pain, making it a key component in identifying and describing various painful disorders.

The other suffixes have different meanings: "-itis" refers to inflammation, commonly used in conditions such as "arthritis" (inflammation of the joints). "-osis" typically indicates an abnormal condition or disease, like in "sclerosis," which means hardening of tissue. "-megaly" denotes enlargement, as seen in "hepatomegaly," which means enlargement of the liver. Each of these suffixes serves a specific purpose in medical terminology, but when focusing on pain, "-algia" is the relevant choice.

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