What does the suffix 'Hepat/o' refer to in medical terminology?

The suffix 'Hepat/o' refers specifically to the liver in medical terminology. This prefix is derived from the Greek word "hepar," which means liver. It is commonly used in various medical terms associated with liver functions, diseases, or conditions. For example, terms like "hepatitis" (inflammation of the liver) and "hepatocyte" (a liver cell) utilize this prefix to indicate their direct relation to the liver's anatomy or pathology. Its established connection to liver terminology makes it a fundamental component in medical language concerning hepatic health and disease.