What does the suffix '-pathy' refer to in medical terminology?

The suffix '-pathy' is derived from the Greek word 'pathos,' which means 'suffering' or 'disease.' In medical terminology, it is primarily used to indicate a disease or a disorder affecting a part of the body. For example, 'neuropathy' refers to a disease of the nerves, while 'cardiomyopathy' refers to diseases of the heart muscle.

Thus, when interpreting the suffix '-pathy,' it is clear that it encompasses both disease and the experience of suffering associated with that disease, making the selection of this particular option accurate in context. The other options—absence of function, growth or formation, and pain or discomfort—do not align with the definition provided by this suffix in medical lexicon.