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

The suffix "-emesis" is derived from Greek, where it means "to vomit." In medical terminology, it specifically refers to the act of vomiting or the condition associated with vomiting. For instance, the term "hyperemesis" refers to excessive vomiting, often seen in early pregnancy. Understanding this suffix is crucial because it indicates a key symptom in various medical diagnoses and conditions, allowing healthcare professionals to communicate more precisely about a patient's status or symptoms.

The other choices relate to different gastrointestinal issues: "nausea" is an unease or discomfort that can precede vomiting but doesn't describe the act itself; "diarrhea" refers to frequent, watery bowel movements; and "constipation" involves infrequent or difficult bowel movements. None of these conditions incorporate the "-emesis" suffix, further underscoring its specific association with vomiting.