Which medical term describes a diseased state or condition of the body?

The term that describes a diseased state or condition of the body is represented by the suffix “-ia.” In medical terminology, “-ia” is commonly used to denote a state, condition, or quality. For instance, terms like “anemia” (a condition of insufficient red blood cells) and “pneumonia” (a condition of the lungs characterized by inflammation) exemplify how this suffix is used to indicate various disease states or pathological conditions in the body.

In contrast, other suffixes have different meanings: “-centesis” refers to a surgical procedure involving the puncture of a cavity to withdraw fluid or air; “-ectomy” signifies the surgical removal of a specific part of the body (as in “appendectomy,” the removal of the appendix); and “-meter” pertains to instruments used for measuring (like “thermometer” for measuring temperature). None of these terms conveys the notion of a diseased state, which reinforces the appropriateness of “-ia” as the correct answer.