Medical Terms: Prefixes Quiz

Questions and Answers

What does the root word 'adipo-' refer to?

Gland

Blood vessel

Fat (correct)

Joint

Which medical root word indicates the structure related to the heart?

Caud-

Cardi(o)- (correct)

Cerebr(o)-

Cephal(o)-

The root word 'gastro-' is associated with which part of the body?

Stomach (correct)

Liver

Throat

Testes

What does 'cyt(o)-' refer to in medical terminology?

Cell Signup and view all the answers

Which medical root word means 'joint'?

Arthr(o)- Signup and view all the answers

The root 'leuk(o)-' pertains to which type of cell?

White blood cell Signup and view all the answers

Which root word indicates a relation to bile?

Bili Signup and view all the answers

What does the root word 'ischo(o)-' refer to?

Hip Signup and view all the answers

The term 'melan(o)-' is associated with which color?

Black Signup and view all the answers

Which root denotes the term referring to the study of aging?

Ger(o)- Signup and view all the answers

What does the root word 'hepat(o)-' refer to?

Liver Signup and view all the answers

The root 'my(o)-' is associated with which type of tissue?

Muscle Signup and view all the answers

Which root denotes the presence of inflammation in the eyelid?

Blephar(o)- Signup and view all the answers

What does the root 'brady-' mean?

Slow Signup and view all the answers

What does the prefix 'a-' or 'an-' signify in medical terminology?

Without or lack of Signup and view all the answers

Which medical term includes the prefix that indicates something is excessive?

Hyperplasia Signup and view all the answers

What is the meaning of the prefix 'dys-' in medical terminology?

Difficult or abnormal Signup and view all the answers

The prefix 'hypo-' is used in medical terms to mean what?

Less than normal Signup and view all the answers

Which term utilizes the prefix 'inter-' to describe a location?

Intervertebral Signup and view all the answers

What does the prefix 'macro-' indicate in a medical term?

Large Signup and view all the answers

In medical terminology, what does the prefix 'uni-' signify?

One Signup and view all the answers

What is the correct meaning of the prefix 'neo-'?

New Signup and view all the answers

Which prefix indicates 'both' in medical terminology?

Ambi- Signup and view all the answers

The prefix 'pseudo-' implies what in a medical context?

False Signup and view all the answers

What does the prefix 'peri-' mean in medical terminology?

Surrounding Signup and view all the answers

Which medical term uses the prefix 'trans-' to indicate movement?

Transdermal Signup and view all the answers

In which term does the prefix 'ab-' signify movement?

Abnormal Signup and view all the answers

What is the meaning of the prefix 're-' in medical terminology?

Again Signup and view all the answers

What does the root 'nephr(o)-' refer to in medical terminology?

Kidney Signup and view all the answers

Which medical root word refers to the ear?

ot(o)- Signup and view all the answers

The suffix '-itis' generally indicates which of the following conditions?

Inflammation Signup and view all the answers

Which root word would be used to indicate a condition related to the pharynx?

pharyng(o)- Signup and view all the answers

What is the meaning of the root 'onc(o)-'?

Tumor Signup and view all the answers

What does the root 'thorac(o)-' specifically refer to?

Chest Signup and view all the answers

Which medical root word is associated with the study of children?

ped(o)- Signup and view all the answers

The root 'sarc(o)-' is associated with which type of tissue?

Connective Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following roots signifies the concept of fast or rapid?

tachy- Signup and view all the answers

What does 'vas(o)-' pertain to in medical terminology?

Blood vessels Signup and view all the answers

What condition does the root 'plasm(o)-' relate to?

Liquid part of blood Signup and view all the answers

Which root refers to a process concerning the mind?

psycho- Signup and view all the answers

In medical terminology, what does 'myel(o)-' refer to?

Bone marrow Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following roots is associated with the act of breathing?

pneum(o)- Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Medical Terms Overview

Medical terms are structured with a prefix (beginning), root (middle), and suffix (end).
Example: "Preschooler" - "Pre" (before), "school" (a place for teaching), "er" (a person).

A – Medical Prefixes

a-, an-: without (e.g., anuria - lack of urine output)
ab-: away from (e.g., abnormal - structure not normal)
ad-: toward, near (e.g., adrenal glands - above kidneys)
ambi-: both sides (e.g., ambidextrous - using both hands)
ante-: before, forward (e.g., antepartum - before labor)
anti-: against (e.g., antidote - counters toxicity)
apo-: off, away from (e.g., apophysis - growth or protuberance)
auto-: self (e.g., autograft - transplant using person's tissue)

B & C – Medical Prefixes

bi-: two, both (e.g., bilateral - both sides)
cata-: downwards (e.g., catabolism - breakdown of chemicals)
con-: with, together (e.g., congenital - present at birth)

D – Medical Prefixes

de-: without (e.g., depigmentation - lack of pigment)
diplo-: double (e.g., diplopia - double vision)
dys-: painful, difficult (e.g., dyspnoea - difficulty breathing)

E – Medical Prefixes

ec-, ecto-: out, outside (e.g., ectoderm - outer layer of embryo)
endo-: within, inside (e.g., endoscopy - internal examination)
epi-: above (e.g., epigastric - above stomach)
eu-: normal (e.g., euthyroid - normal thyroid function)
ex-: outwards (e.g., exostosis - outward projecting bone)
extra-: outside of (e.g., extrapleural - outside pleural cavity)

H – Medical Prefixes

hemi-: half (e.g., hemiplegia - paralysis on one side)
hetero-: different (e.g., heterograft - transplant from another species)
homo-: same (e.g., homoplasty - surgery with similar tissues)
hyper-: excessive (e.g., hyperplasia - increased cell number)
hypo-: deficient (e.g., hypotension - low blood pressure)

I – Medical Prefixes

in-: inward, not (e.g., inhalation - breathe in, infertility - not fertile)
infra-: beneath (e.g., infra-axillary - below axilla)
inter-: between (e.g., intervertebral - between vertebrae)
intra-: within (e.g., intramuscular - into the muscle)

J – Medical Prefix

juxta-: near (e.g., juxta-articular - near a joint)

M – Medical Prefixes

macro-: large (e.g., macroglossia - abnormally large tongue)
mal-: bad, abnormal (e.g., malformation - abnormal shape)
mega-: great, large (e.g., megacolon - enlarged colon)
meta-: change, beyond (e.g., metastasis - spreading of disease)
micro-: small (e.g., microtia - small ears)
mono-: one (e.g., monochromatic - one color)
multi-: many (e.g., multigravida - multiple pregnancies)

N – Medical Prefixes

neo-: new (e.g., neonatal - first month of life)
nulli-: none (e.g., nullipara - never born a child)

O – Medical Prefix

olig(o)-: scanty, little (e.g., oliguria - low urine excretion)

P – Medical Prefixes

pan-: all (e.g., panacea - cures all)
par(a)-: beside, abnormal (e.g., paranasal - beside the nose)
per-: through (e.g., percutaneous - through the skin)
peri-: surrounding (e.g., periosteum - surrounding bone)
pico-: one-trillionth (e.g., picornavirus - small virus)
poly-: many (e.g., polyuria - excessive urine production)
post-: after (e.g., postpartum - after childbirth)
pre-: before (e.g., precancer - potentially cancerous)
pseudo-: false (e.g., pseudocyesis - false pregnancy)

Q – Medical Prefix

quadri-: four (e.g., quadriplegia - paralysis of all four limbs)

R – Medical Prefixes

re-: again (e.g., reinfection - return of infection)
retr(o)-: backward, behind (e.g., retroperitoneal - behind peritoneum)

S – Medical Prefixes

semi-: partial, half (e.g., semicomatose - half conscious)
sub-: under, less than (e.g., subcutaneous - under skin)
super-: above (e.g., supercilia - eyebrow)
supra-: above, upon (e.g., suprarenal - above kidneys)
syn-: with, together (e.g., syndrome - group of symptoms)

T – Medical Prefixes

tetra-: four (e.g., tetraplegia - paralysis of four limbs)
trans-: through, across (e.g., transdermal - through the skin)

U – Medical Prefixes

un-: not (e.g., unconscious - not conscious)
uni-: one (e.g., unilateral - one side affected)

Medical Root Words

Roots form the foundation of medical terms and provide general meaning. They originate from various languages.

A – Medical Roots

abdomin(o)-: abdomen (e.g., abdominoscopy - internal examination)
acou-: hearing (e.g., acoustics - science of sound)
acr(o)-: extremity, peak (e.g., acrocyanosis - blue extremities)
aden(o)-: gland (e.g., adenocarcinoma - malignant tumor in a gland)
adipo-: fat (e.g., adiposis - excess fat accumulation)

B – Medical Roots

bili: bile (e.g., biliuria - bile in urine)
bi(o)-: life (e.g., biocide - kills living organisms)
blast-: embryonic (e.g., blastocyst - early development stage)
blephar(o)-: eyelid (e.g., blepharitis - eyelid inflammation)

C – Medical Roots

calc(i)-: heel (e.g., calcaneus - heel bone)
carcin(o)-: cancer (e.g., carcinogen - cancer-causing substance)
cardi(o)-: heart (e.g., cardiopathy - heart disease)
cephal(o)-: head (e.g., cephalalgia - headache)
cerebr(o)-: cerebrum (e.g., cerebrospinal - brain and spinal cord)

D – Medical Roots

derm- or -derm: skin (e.g., dermatitis - skin inflammation)
dors(i)(o)-: back (e.g., dorsum - back of body)

E – Medical Roots

encephal(o)-: brain (e.g., encephaloma - brain tumor)
enter(o)-: intestine (e.g., enterocolitis - inflammation of intestines)
erythr(o)-: red (e.g., erythrocytes - red blood cells)

F – Medical Roots

fasci-: bundle (e.g., fasciae - muscle fiber bundles)
febri-: fever (e.g., febrile - related to fever)

G – Medical Roots

galact(o)-: milk (e.g., galactorrhoea - excessive milk production)
gastro-: stomach (e.g., gastritis - stomach inflammation)

H – Medical Roots

haeme(a)(o)-: blood (e.g., haematology - study of blood)
hepat(o)-: liver (e.g., hepatitis - liver inflammation)
hist(i)(o)-: tissue (e.g., histogenesis - tissue development)

I – Medical Roots

ile(o)-: ileum (e.g### Medical Root Words

A - G

myc(o)-: Refers to fungus; example includes myxoma, a benign tumor of mucous tissue.
myel(o)-: Relates to bone marrow; myelocyte is a cell in bone marrow that develops into a granulocyte.
nas(o)-: Pertains to the nose; nasosinusitis is a condition where both the nose and sinuses swell.
nephr(o)-: Associated with the kidney; nephrolithiasis refers to stone formation in the kidney.
neur(o)-: Connected to nerves or the nervous system; neurohormone is produced in nerve cells and secreted at nerve endings.

H - O

ocul(o)-: Relates to the eye; oculoplethysmography measures pressure inside the eyeball.
onc(o)-: Refers to tumors, specifically malignant; oncogene is a part of the genetic system that promotes cancerous tumors.
ophthalm(o)-: Also means eye; ophthalmoplegia refers to paralysis of eye muscles.
orchi(o)-: Associated with testes; orchitis is inflammation characterized by pain and swelling.
oro-: Pertains to the mouth; oropharynx is a part below the soft palate.
oste(o)-: Refers to bone; osteitis is inflammation of bone due to injury or infection.
ot(o)-: Relates to the ear; otorrhoea is pus discharge from the ear.

P - T

paed- or ped(o)-: Pertains to children; paediatrics is the study of children's development and diseases.
path(o)-: Related to disease; pathogen is a microorganism causing illness.
pharmaco-: Concerns drugs; pharmacokinetics studies how the body processes drugs over time.
pharyng(o)-: Refers to the pharynx; pharyngitis denotes sore throat.
phleb(o)-: Associated with veins; phlebolith is a calcified stone in a vein.
phot(o)-: Pertains to light; photopsia is seeing flashes of light.
plasm(o)-: Refers to the liquid part of blood; plasminogen is activated to form plasmin.
pleur(o)-: Related to the pleura; pleurisy is pleural inflammation.
pneum(o)-: Pertains to lungs; pneumonia is lung inflammation fill with fluid.
pod(o)-: Refers to feet; podiatry studies foot disorders.
proct(o)-: Related to the anus/rectum; proctoclysis involves fluid introduction into the rectum.
psych(o)-: Indicates mind; psychiatry involves mental disorder treatment.
pyel(o)-: Pertains to the kidney pelvis; pyelotomy is a surgical operation on the kidney.
pyr(o)-: Refers to burning or fever; pyrogen is a substance causing fever.

R - U

ren(o)-: Associated with the kidney; renography examines the kidney using radioactive substances.
rhin(o)-: Refers to the nose; rhinoplasty is surgical correction of the nose.
sarc(o)-: Pertains to flesh; sarcoma is a malignant connective tissue tumor.
scler(o)-: Refers to hard tissue; scleroma is a hard patch on skin or mucous membranes.
soma- or somat(o)-: Associated with body; somatization manifests psychiatric conditions via physical symptoms.
sten(o)-: Refers to narrow passages; stenosis signifies narrowing of a passage.
tachy-: Pertains to speed; tachyarrhythmia indicates a fast irregular heartbeat.
therm(o)-: Relates to heat; thermoanaesthesia is an inability to distinguish temperature changes.
thorac(o)-: Concerns the chest; thoracotomy involves removing ribs surgically.
thromb(o)-: Refers to clots; thromboangiitis involves blood vessel inflammation with clots.
trache(o)-: Pertains to the trachea; tracheobronchitis is inflammation of the trachea and bronchi.
ur(o)-: Relates to urinary or urine; urochesia is urine passing through the rectum due to urinary system injury.

V

vas(o)-: Pertains to vessels; vasopressor increases blood pressure by narrowing vessels.
ven(i)(o)-: Relates to veins; venoclysis introduces fluids into veins.
vesic(o)-: Indicates bladder; vesicospinal pertains to bladder and spinal connections.

Suffixes in Medical Terminology

Suffixes enhance or modify meanings of root words, adding specificity to medical terminology.

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Description

Test your knowledge of medical prefixes with this quiz! Learn about the meanings and examples of various prefixes and how they apply to medical terminology. Perfect for students in the healthcare field or anyone interested in medical language.