What does the suffix "-pathy" generally refer to?

The suffix "-pathy" is derived from the Greek word "pathos," which means "suffering" or "disease." In medical terminology, it specifically refers to a condition or disease that affects a particular organ or system in the body. For example, "neuropathy" refers to a disease affecting the nerve tissues, and "cardiomyopathy" indicates a disease of the heart muscle. This use of the suffix denotes a pathological condition, highlighting its focus on diseases or abnormal conditions. Understanding this can help differentiate it from other suffixes that refer to different concepts, such as processes, measurements, or recordings in a medical or clinical context.