The suffix -ic indicates what meaning in medical terminology?

• A. Pertaining to
• B. Related to inflammation
• C. Relating to composition
• D. Indicating a disease

Answer: (A)

The suffix -ic signals that a term describes something as pertaining to or relating to a part of the body or concept. That’s why cardiac means pertaining to the heart and gastric pertains to the stomach. It’s a descriptor, not a marker of inflammation or disease. Inflammation is shown with -itis, and disease-related or pathological concepts use different endings like -pathy or -osis. So the meaning is “pertaining to.”