Which suffix means pertaining to in medical terminology?

Which suffix means pertaining to in medical terminology?

• A. -nic
• B. -ac
• C. -ous
• D. -ary

Answer: (A)

The suffix that means "pertaining to" in medical terminology is actually -ic. This suffix is widely used in medical terms to indicate a relationship to a specific concept or condition. For instance, when you see words like "gastric" (pertaining to the stomach) or "neurotic" (pertaining to nerves), the -ic suffix signifies that the term refers to something related to the root word it modifies. The options that do not represent the suffix meaning "pertaining to" include -nic, -ous, and -ary. Each of these also conveys a meaning of relation or pertaining, but in different contexts. For example, -ous is used to describe substances or conditions that possess certain qualities, such as "famous" (full of fame), while -ary can denote a place associated with something, such as “stationary” (related to a station). Understanding the nuances of these suffixes helps in accurately interpreting medical terminology and its connections to the anatomy or conditions being described.

The suffix that means "pertaining to" in medical terminology is actually -ic. This suffix is widely used in medical terms to indicate a relationship to a specific concept or condition.

For instance, when you see words like "gastric" (pertaining to the stomach) or "neurotic" (pertaining to nerves), the -ic suffix signifies that the term refers to something related to the root word it modifies.

The options that do not represent the suffix meaning "pertaining to" include -nic, -ous, and -ary. Each of these also conveys a meaning of relation or pertaining, but in different contexts. For example, -ous is used to describe substances or conditions that possess certain qualities, such as "famous" (full of fame), while -ary can denote a place associated with something, such as “stationary” (related to a station). Understanding the nuances of these suffixes helps in accurately interpreting medical terminology and its connections to the anatomy or conditions being described.