The suffix -rrhea means what?

• A. Rupture
• B. Discomfort
• C. Flow, discharge
• D. Development

Answer: (C)

Understanding this suffix is about a discharge or flow. In medical terms, -rrhea indicates that something is flowing or being discharged from a body part, as seen in diarrhea (flow of stool through the intestines), rhinorrhea (nasal discharge), and menorrhea (menstrual flow). That’s why it signifies discharge rather than rupture, pain, or development. The other ideas don’t fit because rupture is shown with a different suffix like -rrhexis, discomfort comes from -algia or -odynia, and development uses other suffixes such as -plasia or -trophy.