When referring to body tissues, what does the suffix "-ous" mean?

The suffix "-ous" indicates "pertaining to," which is often used in medical terminology to describe tissues, organs, or conditions related to specific structures in the body. This suffix suggests a quality or association, providing context about the nature or characteristics of the tissue being described. For example, the term "adipous" relates to fatty tissue, deriving from "adipose," thus indicating that it pertains to fat. Understanding this suffix is crucial for interpreting many medical terms accurately, as it helps clarify the relationship or characteristic of the term in question.