The suffix -megaly denotes which of the following?

• A. enlargement
• B. condition
• C. softening
• D. tumor

Answer: (A)

Suffixes in medical terms tell you what happens to a body part, and -megaly specifically means enlargement of an organ or structure. When you see -megaly, think “enlarged,” as in hepatomegaly (enlarged liver) or cardiomegaly (enlarged heart). That makes enlargement the correct interpretation. The other ideas refer to different concepts: tumor is indicated by -oma, softening by -malacia, and a general condition or disease by other suffixes such as -itis or -pathy.