What does the suffix "-ole" signify in medical terminology?

The suffix "-ole" in medical terminology is used to indicate something that is small or a diminutive form of a structure. It is derived from the Latin suffix, which denotes a smaller version of the base word it modifies. For example, "arteriole" refers to a small artery, demonstrating how the suffix modifies the root to denote a smaller entity.

In the context of medical terminology, understanding suffixes like "-ole" is crucial as they help in identifying and describing various anatomical structures and their sizes. For instance, the suffix indicates not just size but also can give insight into the function and relation of a structure within the body. Therefore, the answer indicating that "-ole" signifies small is consistent with its use in various medical terms and aligns with the pattern observed in the language of anatomy and physiology.