Which suffix means enlargement of a structure?

• A. -megaly
• B. -plasia
• C. -osis
• D. -itis

Answer: (A)

Enlargement of a structure is signaled by the suffix -megaly. The root names the structure, and adding -megaly tells you it is enlarged, as in hepatomegaly (liver enlargement), cardiomegaly (heart enlargement), or acromegaly (enlargement of the extremities). The other suffixes point to different ideas: -plasia means formation or development of tissue, -osis indicates a condition or process, and -itis means inflammation. So -megaly is the suffix that specifically denotes enlargement of a structure.