California Certifying Board for Medical Assistants (CCBMA) Practice Test

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What does the suffix '-pathy' imply when used in a medical context?

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The suffix '-pathy' is derived from the Greek word "pathos," which means suffering or disease. In a medical context, when this suffix is attached to a root word, it indicates a disease or disorder that affects the part of the body referenced by the root. For instance, "neuropathy" refers to a disease affecting the nerves, and "cardiomyopathy" refers to diseases of the heart muscle. Therefore, it is accurate to associate the suffix '-pathy' with the implication of a medical disease.

While other terms might relate closely, such as 'condition' which is sometimes used interchangeably in a broader sense, '-pathy' specifically denotes the aspect of suffering or disease, distinguishing it from general conditions or treatments that do not intrinsically imply a pathological state.

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