The suffix -ectasis means

• A. dilation; expansion
• B. new opening (created surgically)
• C. pain, suffering
• D. death

Answer: (A)

The suffix -ectasis denotes dilation or expansion of a hollow organ or vessel. It tells us that the structure has widened or stretched beyond its normal size, often due to disease or injury. This is why terms like bronchiectasis describe dilated airways and other body parts can be described as dilated or expanded with -ectasis. It does not indicate creating a new opening (that would be -ostomy), nor does it refer to pain (-algia) or death; those concepts are expressed with different endings.