|
Correct Answer: enlargement
the suffix “-megaly” is used in medical terminology to indicate an enlargement of a body part or organ. this suffix derives from the greek word "megas," which means great or large. when appended to the root of a word that specifies an organ or a part of the body, “-megaly” denotes that the organ or part is abnormally enlarged.
for example, the term "cardiomegaly" refers to the enlargement of the heart. here, "cardio-" stands for heart, combined with "-megaly," indicating that the heart is larger than normal. this condition can be due to various reasons including high blood pressure, heart valve disease, or cardiomyopathies, which are diseases of the heart muscle.
another example is "hepatomegaly," which signifies an enlargement of the liver ("hepato-" referring to liver). this can occur due to a multitude of causes such as hepatitis, excessive alcohol consumption, or congestion from cardiac conditions.
similarly, "splenomegaly" indicates an enlargement of the spleen. this can be a response to infection, diseases involving blood cells, or other underlying conditions that affect the spleen's role in filtering blood and fighting infections.
in summary, the suffix “-megaly” is specifically used to denote the enlargement of an organ or part, often indicating a pathological condition that requires further medical evaluation and management. understanding these terms can aid in better comprehension of medical conditions and facilitate effective communication in healthcare settings.
|
