The suffix -oma denotes which of the following?

The suffix -oma denotes which of the following?

• A. Eye
• B. Tumor or mass, often filled with fluid
• C. Pain
• D. Egg

Answer: (B)

The main idea tested here is that the suffix -oma is used to name a tumor or abnormal mass. In medical terminology, many growths end with -oma, signaling a mass or swelling that is the result of some type of tissue proliferation. Examples include lipoma (fatty tumor), adenoma (glandular tumor), and melanoma (pigmented tumor). Sometimes the growth is a benign mass, as in adenoma, and other times it can be malignant, as in melanoma or lymphoma, but the common thread is a detectable growth or lump. This makes -oma the best choice for indicating a tumor or mass, unlike the other options. Eye-related terms use roots like ophthalm- or oculo-, not -oma. Pain terms use endings such as -algia or -odynia. Egg-related terms rely on roots like ova- or ovi-, not -oma.

The main idea tested here is that the suffix -oma is used to name a tumor or abnormal mass. In medical terminology, many growths end with -oma, signaling a mass or swelling that is the result of some type of tissue proliferation. Examples include lipoma (fatty tumor), adenoma (glandular tumor), and melanoma (pigmented tumor). Sometimes the growth is a benign mass, as in adenoma, and other times it can be malignant, as in melanoma or lymphoma, but the common thread is a detectable growth or lump.

This makes -oma the best choice for indicating a tumor or mass, unlike the other options. Eye-related terms use roots like ophthalm- or oculo-, not -oma. Pain terms use endings such as -algia or -odynia. Egg-related terms rely on roots like ova- or ovi-, not -oma.