Which suffix refers to a disease or disorder?

The suffix that refers to a disease or disorder is "-opathy." This suffix is commonly used in medical terminology to denote conditions that affect the body or specific organs. It derives from the Greek word "pathos," which means suffering or disease. For example, terms like "neuropathy" indicate a disorder affecting the nerves, and "cardiomyopathy" refers to disease of the heart muscle.

In contrast, the other suffixes serve different purposes in medical terminology. "-ectomy" refers to surgical removal, as seen in "appendectomy," which is the removal of the appendix. "-itis" indicates inflammation, such as in "arthritis," which means inflammation of the joints. Lastly, "-otomy" refers to cutting into or making an incision, exemplified in terms like "laparotomy," which involves making an incision into the abdominal cavity. Understanding these distinctions is crucial for grasping medical vocabulary and accurately describing various conditions and procedures.