What does the suffix "-megaly" indicate?

The suffix "-megaly" indicates enlargement, which is a term commonly used in the medical field to describe an increase in size of an organ or body part. This enlargement can be due to a variety of factors, including disease, inflammation, or an abnormal growth of tissue. For example, the term "hepatomegaly" refers to an enlargement of the liver, while "splenomegaly" indicates enlargement of the spleen.

Understanding this suffix is essential in medical terminologies, as it helps healthcare professionals accurately describe conditions and communicate effectively about a patient's health status. The other options refer to entirely different medical concepts: inflammation signifies a response to injury or infection, reduction implies a decrease in size or amount, and separation refers to moving apart or dividing, which are not related to the concept of size increase denoted by "-megaly." Thus, identifying "-megaly" as indicative of enlargement clarifies the nature of the medical condition being discussed.