Medical terminology prefixes and suffixes exam review

Prefix 'a-' or 'an-' means?

Without or absence of. Example: 'aseptic' means without infection.

Prefix 'brady-' indicates?

'Slow'. Example: 'bradycardia' refers to a slow heart rate.

True or False: 'hyper-' means below normal.

False. 'Hyper-' means excessive or above normal.

Fill in the blank: '______cardia' means rapid heart rate.

'Tachycardia'.

'Hypo-' indicates what kind of condition?

A deficiency or below normal level. Example: 'hypoglycemia' means low blood sugar.

Prefix 'inter-' means?

'Between'. Example: 'intercostal' refers to the area between the ribs.

Compare 'mal-' and 'eu-'.

'Mal-' means bad, while 'eu-' means good or normal.

What does 'pre-' signify?

'Before'. Example: 'preoperative' refers to the time before surgery.

'Post-' refers to?

'After'. Example: 'postoperative' means after surgery.

Prefix 'trans-' means?

'Across' or 'through'. Example: 'transdermal' means across the skin.

What is the meaning of 'sub-'?

'Under' or 'below'. Example: 'subcutaneous' refers to under the skin.

True or False: 'non-' means included.

False. 'Non-' means not or without.

Prefix 'circa-' is used for?

Indicating 'approximately'. Example: 'circa 2000' refers to around the year 2000.

'Intra-' means?

'Within'. Example: 'intravenous' means within a vein.

Fill in the blank: '______genic' means producing or causing.

'Pathogenic'.

Prefix 'super-' signifies?

'Above' or 'greater'. Example: 'superinfection' means an infection occurring on top of another.

Suffix: -itis

Indicates inflammation. Example: 'appendicitis' means inflammation of the appendix.

Suffix: -ectomy

Refers to surgical removal. Example: 'cholecystectomy' means removal of the gallbladder.

True or False: -ology means study of.

True. 'Cardiology' is the study of the heart.

Fill in the blank: -algia refers to _____

pain. Example: 'neuralgia' means nerve pain.

Suffix: -osis

Indicates a condition or disease. Example: 'nephrosis' refers to kidney disease.

Suffix: -emia

Refers to blood condition. Example: 'anemia' means a deficiency of red blood cells.

Compare -ectomy and -ostomy.

-ectomy: removal of an organ; -ostomy: creating an opening. Example: 'colostomy' creates an opening for the colon.

Suffix: -pathy

Indicates disease. Example: 'neuropathy' means disease of the nerves.

What does -ic mean?

-ic indicates pertaining to. Example: 'gastric' pertains to the stomach.

True or False: -graphy means recording.

True. 'Radiography' involves taking X-ray images.

Suffix: -scope

Instrument for viewing. Example: 'endoscope' is used to view the interior of a hollow organ.

Cause: -gen → Effect

Indicates something that produces. Example: 'pathogen' produces disease.

Suffix: -logy

Means study of. Example: 'physiology' is the study of body functions.

What does -rrhea indicate?

Refers to flow or discharge. Example: 'diarrhea' means frequent watery bowel movements.

Fill in the blank: -penia signifies _____

deficiency. Example: 'leukopenia' means low white blood cell count.

Suffix: -tomy

Refers to cutting or incision. Example: 'laparotomy' means surgical incision into the abdominal cavity.