What medical term refers to a condition of too few cells or components?

The term that refers to a condition of too few cells or components is -penia. This suffix is derived from the Greek word "penia," meaning lack or deficiency. In medical terminology, it is commonly used to indicate a reduced number of blood cells or other components in the body. For example, leukopenia indicates a low white blood cell count, while thrombocytopenia refers to a shortage of platelets.

Understanding this suffix is crucial in the medical field, as it helps describe various deficiencies that can arise in different conditions and diseases. The use of -penia is specific to the context of having an inadequate amount, making it the precise term for describing conditions where there are not enough cells or components present.

Other suffixes listed do not convey this meaning. -pathy refers to disease or disorder, -philia indicates an affinity or increased level of something, and -pepsia relates to digestion. Therefore, -penia is the appropriate choice in this context regarding deficiencies in cellular components.