The suffix -ectasia expresses which meaning?

The suffix -ectasia expresses which meaning?

• A. Dilation, Stretching
• B. Contraction
• C. Inflammation
• D. Opening

Answer: (A)

The main idea here is that the ending -ectasia denotes dilation or stretching of a hollow organ or vessel. It comes from a Greek root meaning expansion, so terms ending in -ectasia describe widening rather than shrinking or inflammation. For example, bronchiectasis means dilation of the bronchial tubes, and telangiectasia refers to dilation of small surface blood vessels. This is different from contraction (which would be a narrowing or tightening) or inflammation (which would be -itis) or an opening created by surgery. So -ectasia consistently signals dilation or expansion.

The main idea here is that the ending -ectasia denotes dilation or stretching of a hollow organ or vessel. It comes from a Greek root meaning expansion, so terms ending in -ectasia describe widening rather than shrinking or inflammation. For example, bronchiectasis means dilation of the bronchial tubes, and telangiectasia refers to dilation of small surface blood vessels. This is different from contraction (which would be a narrowing or tightening) or inflammation (which would be -itis) or an opening created by surgery. So -ectasia consistently signals dilation or expansion.