In medical terminology, what does "-oma" refer to?

In medical terminology, the suffix "-oma" indicates a tumor, which can refer to both benign and malignant growths. This term is used to describe an abnormal mass of tissue that arises from the uncontrolled division of cells. For instance, "lipoma" refers to a tumor composed of fat tissue, while "carcinoma" indicates a malignant tumor originating from epithelial cells.

The other terms serve different purposes in medical language: a surgical opening is denoted by terms like "-ostomy"; conditions of occlusion refer to blockages, often indicated with terms such as "stenosis" or "occlusive"; and fixation is conveyed by prefixes or suffixes like "-pexy," which means to secure or fasten an organ in place. Understanding these distinctions helps clarify the specific nature of medical conditions and procedures.