What does the suffix "-osis" signify in medical terms?

The suffix "-osis" is commonly used in medical terminology to denote an abnormal condition or a process, especially one that is typically chronic or degenerative. For instance, conditions like "neurosis" refer to a range of mental health disorders characterized by anxiety and insecurity, while "sclerosis" refers to the hardening of tissue. Thus, when you see "-osis" at the end of a medical term, it indicates that there is a deviation from a normal state, often relating to a specific disease or disorder. In this context, the other suffix options pertain to different meanings; for example, "surgical removal" typically involves the suffix "-ectomy," while "enlargement" refers to the suffix "-megaly," and "inflammation" is associated with "-itis." Therefore, the correct identification of "-osis" as representing an abnormal condition is fundamental in understanding various medical diagnoses and terminology.