Which term means enlargement of organs?

• A. Palpation
• B. Percussion
• C. Organomegaly
• D. Auscultation

Answer: (C)

Determining enlargement of an organ is described by the term organomegaly. The word combines organ, the body part, with megaly, a suffix meaning enlargement, so organomegaly signifies an organ that has increased in size. Clinically you might hear hepatomegaly for an enlarged liver or splenomegaly for an enlarged spleen. The other terms refer to examination methods: palpation is touching to feel organs and masses, percussion is tapping to assess density and borders, and auscultation is listening with a stethoscope to sounds in the heart, lungs, or abdomen. None of these describe enlargement themselves.