What does "-opaque" mean in medical terms?

The suffix "-opaque" in medical terminology refers to the property of a substance that does not allow light to pass through it, making it nontransparent. This term is commonly used in various fields of medicine, especially in radiology, where different materials can affect the transmission of X-rays and other forms of radiation.

Choosing the correct answer emphasizes the understanding of how materials interact with light in a medical context. For example, in imaging studies, structures that are opaque would appear white on an X-ray because they block the passage of the rays. This property is essential for diagnosing conditions, as certain tissues or foreign objects may need to be viewed through this characteristic.

In contrast, other terms like "transparent" would indicate that light passes freely through a substance, "reflective" pertains to the ability of a surface to bounce light back, and "illuminated" refers to something being lit up. However, none of these terms accurately define the concept of "opaque," which specifically highlights the nontransparent quality that is critical in medical diagnoses and imaging.