Which of the following denotes a resemblance in medical terms?

Prepare for the HOSA Medical Terminology Test. Utilize interactive flashcards and multiple-choice questions with detailed explanations to master prefixes and suffixes essential for HOSA certification. Gear up for success!

The suffix that denotes a resemblance in medical terminology is indeed "-oid." This suffix is derived from the Greek word "eidos," which means "form" or "shape." When used in a medical context, "-oid" indicates that something is similar to or resembling something else. For example, the term "cytoid" refers to a structure resembling a cell, and "sympathoid" can refer to something resembling the sympathetic nervous system.

The other suffixes serve different purposes in medical terminology. The suffix "-oma" typically denotes a tumor or mass, often indicating a neoplasm. For instance, "carcinoma" refers to a cancerous tumor. The suffix "-ism" indicates a condition, often referring to a pathological state or a characteristic (like "organism" or "hyperthyroidism"). Similarly, "-osis" refers to a condition or process, particularly one that is abnormal or diseased, as seen in terms like "sclerosis." Understanding these distinctions helps clarify the role that different suffixes play in medical terminology.

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