Which term means pertaining to the liver?

• A. Renal
• B. Pulmonary
• C. Neural
• D. Hepatic

Answer: (D)

Medical terms describe an organ by using a root that names the organ plus a suffix that means “pertaining to.” For the liver, the root is hepat- (also seen as hepato-). Adding the suffix -ic forms hepatic, meaning related to the liver. You’ll see this pattern in words like hepatic function or hepatitis, where the liver is the focus. The other terms point to different organs: renal relates to the kidneys, pulmonary to the lungs, and neural to the nerves. So hepatic is the correct term for pertaining to the liver.