Enlargement of the heart is called what?

• A. Cephalic
• B. Carpals
• C. Cardiomegaly
• D. Cardiomyopathy

Answer: (C)

Enlargement of the heart is described by a term that combines cardio- for heart and megaly for enlargement. This gives cardiomegaly, the word used when imaging shows a larger-than-normal heart size. It’s a finding that can arise from various situations, such as long-standing high blood pressure, heart valve problems, or muscle disease of the heart, and it may indicate the heart is under stress or remodeling. The other terms don’t fit because cephalic means relating to the head, carpals are the wrist bones, and cardiomyopathy is a disease of the heart muscle that can lead to enlargement but is not the term for enlargement itself.