The suffix -penia means?

• A. Decrease
• B. Suture
• C. Teeth
• D. Sensation

Answer: (A)

The main idea tested is recognizing what medical suffixes convey in terms of meaning. The suffix -penia signals a deficiency or a reduced quantity—specifically a decrease in number. In medical terms, you’ll see it used to describe problems like leukopenia (too few white blood cells) or thrombocytopenia (too few platelets). That’s why a choice implying decrease fits best: -penia is about lack or shortage.

The other options point to different roots: suture refers to joining tissue (a procedural concept), teeth relates to odont/o or dent/o, and sensation relates to feel or perception (esthesi/o or -esthesia). None of those indicate a deficiency in number, whereas -penia does.