Medical Prefixes And Suffixes Quiz

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  • 1/30 Questions

    What does the prefix "micro-" refer to in medical terms?

    • Huge
    • Large
    • Small
    • Many
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About This Quiz

Are you ready to test your understanding of medical terminology? The Medical Prefixes and Suffixes Quiz is designed for students, healthcare professionals, and anyone interested in expanding their knowledge of the language of medicine. This interactive quiz challenges you to identify and define various medical prefixes and suffixes that form the foundation of essential medical terms. Each question provides multiple-choice options, allowing you to evaluate your comprehension while learning new terms.

This quiz is a great way to improve your grasp of medical language. Get ready to dive into the fascinating world of prefixes and suffixes, and discover how they contribute to the understanding of medical conditions, procedures, and treatments. Take the Medical Prefixes and Suffixes Quiz now and boost your medical vocabulary!

Medical Prefixes And Suffixes Quiz - Quiz

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  • 2. 

    What does the suffix "-itis" indicate?

    • Enlargement

    • Middle of

    • Inflammation

    • Like, shape

    Correct Answer
    A. Inflammation
    Explanation
    The suffix "-itis" refers to inflammation. It is a common medical suffix used in words like "arthritis" (inflammation of the joints) and "hepatitis" (inflammation of the liver). This suffix describes swelling or irritation typically caused by infection or injury.

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  • 3. 

    What does the suffix "-megaly" mean in medical terminology?

    • Enlargement

    • New

    • Near

    • Softening

    Correct Answer
    A. Enlargement
    Explanation
    The prefix "mega-" and the suffix "-megaly" both refer to enlargement or abnormal growth of an organ or structure. For instance, "cardiomegaly" means an enlarged heart, while "hepatomegaly" refers to an enlarged liver. These terms indicate abnormal size increases in medical diagnoses.

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  • 4. 

    What does the prefix "intra-" indicate?

    • Within

    • New

    • Small

    • Science of

    Correct Answer
    A. Within
    Explanation
    The word "intra" means "within." It is often used as a prefix in medical terms to indicate something that is located or occurring within a particular organ or part of the body. For example, "intravenous" means within a vein, and "intraocular" means within the eye. In this context, "within" is the correct answer as it accurately reflects the meaning of the word "intra."

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  • 5. 

    What does the prefix "multi-" signify in medical terms?

    • Few

    • New

    • Two

    • Many

    Correct Answer
    A. Many
    Explanation
    The prefix "multi-" means "many" or "more than one." It is used in medical terms like "multicellular" (composed of many cells) and "multifocal" (occurring in multiple locations). This prefix denotes the presence of numerous parts or occurrences.

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  • 6. 

    What do the prefixes "med-", "medi-", and "medio-" indicate?

    • Near

    • Around

    • Outside

    • Middle

    Correct Answer
    A. Middle
    Explanation
    The prefixes "med-", "medi-", and "medio-" mean "middle" or "central." They appear in words like "mediastinum" (the central part of the chest cavity) and "median" (midline). These prefixes describe a position or structure located in the center.

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  • 7. 

    What does the prefix "neo-" refer to in medical terminology?

    • New

    • Old

    • Small

    • Tiny

    Correct Answer
    A. New
    Explanation
    The prefix "neo-" means "new" or "recent." It is used in words like "neoplasm" (new growth, often referring to tumors) or "neonatal" (referring to newborn infants). It indicates something newly formed or recent in occurrence.

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  • 8. 

    What does the suffix "-oma" refer to in medical terminology?

    • Tumor

    • Stone

    • Incision

    • Mouth

    Correct Answer
    A. Tumor
    Explanation
    The suffix "-oma" refers to a tumor or abnormal growth. It is used in medical terms like "carcinoma" (cancerous tumor) or "lipoma" (a tumor made up of fat tissue). This suffix indicates a mass or swelling, often in the context of abnormal cell growth.

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  • 9. 

    What does the prefix "inter-" mean in medical terms?

    • Outside

    • Between

    • Near

    • Many

    Correct Answer
    A. Between
    Explanation
    The prefix "inter-" means "between" or "among." For example, "intercostal" refers to the space between the ribs. It is often used to describe anatomical relationships involving two or more parts.

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  • 10. 

    What does the prefix "mono-" mean in medical terminology?

    • Many, more

    • Tri, three

    • Twice, two

    • Single, one

    Correct Answer
    A. Single, one
    Explanation
    The prefix "mono-" means "single" or "one." It is used in terms like "mononuclear" (a single nucleus in a cell) and "monochrome" (one color). This prefix indicates something that exists in a singular form or as one unit.

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  • 11. 

    What does the suffix "-isis" or "-asis" refer to in medical terms?

    • Study of

    • Science of

    • Enlargement

    • Condition of

    Correct Answer
    A. Condition of
    Explanation
    The suffix "-isis" or "-asis" refers to a condition or pathological state. It is seen in terms like "psoriasis" (a chronic skin condition) or "tuberculosis" (a bacterial infection). This suffix is used to indicate a particular disease or abnormal state.

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  • 12. 

    The prefix "brady-" indicates which of the following in medical terminology?

    • Rapid

    • Irregular

    • Slow

    • Normal

    Correct Answer
    A. Slow
    Explanation
    The prefix "brady-" comes from the Greek word "bradys," meaning "slow." It is commonly used in medical terms to describe abnormally slow processes or conditions. For instance, "bradycardia" refers to a slower-than-normal heart rate, typically defined as fewer than 60 beats per minute in adults. This prefix helps identify and describe medical conditions where the speed or rate of bodily function is reduced.

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  • 13. 

    What does the suffix "-kinesis" signify in medical terms?

    • Softening

    • Movement

    • Middle

    • Many

    Correct Answer
    A. Movement
    Explanation
    The suffix "-kinesis" refers to movement or motion. It is used in terms like "hyperkinesis" (excessive movement) and "dyskinesis" (impaired movement). This suffix denotes activity or the process of moving.

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  • 14. 

    What does the prefix "macro-" signify in medical terms?

    • Small, short

    • Tall, skinny

    • Large, long

    • Tiny, small

    Correct Answer
    A. Large, long
    Explanation
    The prefix "macro-" means large or long. It is the opposite of "micro-" (small). Terms like "macrophage" (a large immune cell) and "macrocephaly" (abnormally large head) use this prefix to denote large size.

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  • 15. 

    What does the suffix "-oid" refer to in medical terminology?

    • Pertaining to

    • Large, long

    • Like,shape,resemble

    • Study of

    Correct Answer
    A. Like,shape,resemble
    Explanation
    The suffix "-oid" means "like" or "resembling." It is used in terms like "adenoid" (resembling a gland) or "thyroid" (resembling a shield). This suffix helps describe the shape or appearance of a structure that resembles another object.

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  • 16. 

    In medical terms, the suffix "-phagia" refers to which of the following?

    • Condition

    • Swallowing or eating

    • Pain

    • Inflammation

    Correct Answer
    A. Swallowing or eating
    Explanation
    The suffix "-phagia" comes from the Greek word "phagein," meaning "to eat" or "to swallow." It is used in medical terminology to describe conditions related to eating or swallowing. For example, "dysphagia" refers to difficulty swallowing, and "polyphagia" refers to excessive eating, often linked to certain medical conditions like diabetes. This suffix helps specify the action or function related to consuming or swallowing substances.

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  • 17. 

    What does the suffix "-iasis" refer to in medical terminology?

    • Pertaining to

    • Between

    • Single, one

    • Condition of

    Correct Answer
    A. Condition of
    Explanation
    The suffix "-iasis" indicates a pathological condition or state, often involving a disease or abnormal process. It is commonly seen in terms like "psoriasis" (a skin condition) or "cholelithiasis" (the condition of having gallstones). It signifies the presence of an abnormal or diseased condition.

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  • 18. 

    What does the suffix "-osis" indicate in medical terms?

    • Incision

    • Removal

    • Diagnosis

    • Condition

    Correct Answer
    A. Condition
    Explanation
    The suffix "-osis" refers to an abnormal condition or disease. It is used in terms like "cirrhosis" (a condition of liver scarring) or "neurosis" (a mental condition). This suffix denotes the presence of a disease or an unhealthy state in the body.

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  • 19. 

    What does the suffix "-lysis" refer to?

    • Disintegration

    • Enlargement

    • Inflammation

    • Softening

    Correct Answer
    A. Disintegration
    Explanation
    The suffix "-lysis" refers to the disintegration, breakdown or destruction of cells or tissues. It is seen in medical terms like "hemolysis" (the breakdown of red blood cells) and "autolysis" (self-digestion of cells). It describes disintegration or dissolution.

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  • 20. 

    What does the suffix "-malacia" mean?

    • Hardening

    • Softening

    • Enlargement

    • Humped

    Correct Answer
    A. Softening
    Explanation
    The suffix "-malacia" refers to the softening of tissues. It is used in words like "osteomalacia" (softening of the bones) and "chondromalacia" (softening of cartilage). This suffix indicates pathological tissue weakening.

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  • 21. 

    What does the suffix "-iatric" signify in medical terms?

    • Movement

    • Many

    • Medicine

    • Multiple

    Correct Answer
    A. Medicine
    Explanation
    The suffix "-iatric" relates to medicine or medical treatment. It is used in words like "pediatric" (related to children's medicine) and "geriatric" (related to elderly care). This suffix helps define medical specializations.

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  • 22. 

    What does the suffix "-ology" mean in medical terminology?

    • Science of

    • Movement of

    • Condition of

    • Study of

    Correct Answer
    A. Study of
    Explanation
    The suffix "-ology" means "the study of" or "science of." It is used in terms like "biology" (the study of life) or "neurology" (the study of the nervous system). This suffix is widely applied in scientific fields to indicate academic study or specialization.

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  • 23. 

    What does the suffix "-otomy" refer to in medical terminology?

    • Incision

    • Suture

    • Removal

    • Replacement

    Correct Answer
    A. Incision
    Explanation
    The suffix "-otomy" means "incision" or "cutting into." It is used in terms like "tracheotomy" (an incision into the trachea) or "gastrotomy" (an incision into the stomach). This suffix refers to the process of surgically cutting into a specific body part for treatment.

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  • 24. 

    What does the prefix "oligo-" signify in medical terms?

    • Many

    • Few

    • Medicine

    • Middle

    Correct Answer
    A. Few
    Explanation
    The prefix "oligo-" means "few" or "scant." It is often used in terms like "oliguria" (low urine output) or "oligospermia" (low sperm count). This prefix indicates a reduced number or quantity of something.

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  • 25. 

    What does the prefix "kypho-" mean in medical terminology?

    • Large, long

    • Small, short

    • Humped

    • Curved

    Correct Answer
    A. Humped
    Explanation
    The prefix "kypho-" refers to a humped or curved shape, as seen in "kyphosis" (an abnormal forward curvature of the spine). It often describes anatomical deformities involving a prominent hump or curve.

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  • 26. 

    What does the suffix "-penia" indicate in medical terms?

    • Excessive

    • Abnormal growth

    • Deficiency

    • Tumor

    Correct Answer
    A. Deficiency
    Explanation
    The suffix "-penia" is derived from the Greek word "penia," meaning "poverty" or "deficiency." In medical terminology, it refers to a lower-than-normal amount or deficiency of something, often in relation to cells or blood components. For example, "leukopenia" refers to a deficiency in the number of white blood cells, and "thrombocytopenia" refers to a deficiency in platelets. This suffix is commonly used to describe various conditions involving insufficient levels of specific cells or substances in the body.

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  • 27. 

    What does the prefix "juxta-" mean in medical terminology?

    • Near

    • Far

    • Against

    • Before

    Correct Answer
    A. Near
    Explanation
    The prefix "juxta-" means "near" or "next to." It is used in terms like "juxtaposition" (the placement of two objects side by side for comparison) and "juxtaspinal" (located near the spine), indicating proximity.

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  • 28. 

    What does the prefix "ob-" indicate in medical terms?

    • Against

    • Before

    • After

    • Middle

    Correct Answer
    A. Against
    Explanation
    The prefix "ob-" typically means "against" or "in opposition to." For example, "obstruction" means something that blocks or stands in the way. This prefix is used to describe a force or object that opposes or resists a process.

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  • 29. 

    In medical terminology, what does the suffix "-ic" mean?

    • Disintegration

    • Enlargement

    • Large, long

    • Pertaining to

    Correct Answer
    A. Pertaining to
    Explanation
    The suffix "-ic" means "pertaining to" or "relating to." It is used in medical terms like "hepatic" (pertaining to the liver) or "cardiac" (pertaining to the heart). It describes something in relation to a specific organ or process.

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  • 30. 

    What does the suffix "-logia" or "-logy" indicate?

    • Study of

    • Condition of

    • Pertaining to

    • Science of

    Correct Answer
    A. Science of
    Explanation
    The suffix "-logia" or "-logy" means the study or science of a particular subject. It is used in words like "biology" (the study of life) or "neurology" (the study of the nervous system), denoting a scientific field of study.

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Quiz Review Timeline (Updated): Oct 14, 2024 +

Our quizzes are rigorously reviewed, monitored and continuously updated by our expert board to maintain accuracy, relevance, and timeliness.

  • Current Version
  • Oct 14, 2024
    Quiz Edited by
    ProProfs Editorial Team
  • Apr 12, 2009
    Quiz Created by
    Mydogluv
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