Medical Prefixes And Suffixes Quiz
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What does the suffix "-iasis" refer to in medical terminology?
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Pertaining to
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Between
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Single, one
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Condition of
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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 See moreoptions, 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!
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- 2.
What does the suffix "-iatric" signify in medical terms?
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Movement
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Many
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Medicine
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Multiple
Correct Answer
A. MedicineExplanation
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.Rate this question:
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- 3.
In medical terminology, what does the suffix "-ic" mean?
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Disintegration
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Enlargement
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Large, long
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Pertaining to
Correct Answer
A. Pertaining toExplanation
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.Rate this question:
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- 4.
What does the prefix "inter-" mean in medical terms?
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Outside
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Between
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Near
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Many
Correct Answer
A. BetweenExplanation
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.Rate this question:
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- 5.
What does the prefix "intra-" indicate?
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Within
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New
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Small
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Science of
Correct Answer
A. WithinExplanation
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."Rate this question:
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- 6.
What does the suffix "-isis" or "-asis" refer to in medical terms?
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Study of
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Science of
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Enlargement
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Condition of
Correct Answer
A. Condition ofExplanation
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.Rate this question:
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- 7.
What does the suffix "-itis" indicate?
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Enlargement
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Middle of
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Inflammation
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Like, shape
Correct Answer
A. InflammationExplanation
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.Rate this question:
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- 8.
What does the prefix "juxta-" mean in medical terminology?
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Near
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Far
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Against
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Before
Correct Answer
A. NearExplanation
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.Rate this question:
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- 9.
What does the suffix "-kinesis" signify in medical terms?
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Softening
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Movement
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Middle
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Many
Correct Answer
A. MovementExplanation
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.Rate this question:
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- 10.
What does the prefix "kypho-" mean in medical terminology?
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Large, long
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Small, short
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Humped
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Curved
Correct Answer
A. HumpedExplanation
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.Rate this question:
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- 11.
What does the suffix "-logia" or "-logy" indicate?
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Study of
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Condition of
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Pertaining to
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Science of
Correct Answer
A. Science ofExplanation
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.Rate this question:
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- 12.
What does the suffix "-lysis" refer to?
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Disintegration
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Enlargement
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Inflammation
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Softening
Correct Answer
A. DisintegrationExplanation
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.Rate this question:
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- 13.
What does the prefix "macro-" signify in medical terms?
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Small, short
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Tall, skinny
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Large, long
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Tiny, small
Correct Answer
A. Large, longExplanation
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.Rate this question:
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- 14.
What does the suffix "-malacia" mean?
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Hardening
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Softening
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Enlargement
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Humped
Correct Answer
A. SofteningExplanation
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.Rate this question:
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- 15.
What do the prefixes "med-", "medi-", and "medio-" indicate?
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Near
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Around
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Outside
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Middle
Correct Answer
A. MiddleExplanation
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.Rate this question:
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- 16.
What does the suffix "-megaly" mean in medical terminology?
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Enlargement
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New
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Near
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Softening
Correct Answer
A. EnlargementExplanation
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.Rate this question:
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- 17.
What does the prefix "micro-" refer to in medical terms?
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Huge
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Large
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Small
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Many
Correct Answer
A. SmallExplanation
The prefix "micro-" means small. It is often used to describe things that are tiny or very small, such as "microscope" (a device to view small objects) or "microorganism" (tiny living organisms like bacteria). It is the opposite of "macro-", which means large.Rate this question:
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- 18.
What does the prefix "mono-" mean in medical terminology?
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Many, more
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Tri, three
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Twice, two
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Single, one
Correct Answer
A. Single, oneExplanation
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.Rate this question:
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- 19.
What does the prefix "multi-" signify in medical terms?
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Few
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New
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Two
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Many
Correct Answer
A. ManyExplanation
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.Rate this question:
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- 20.
What does the prefix "neo-" refer to in medical terminology?
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New
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Old
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Small
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Tiny
Correct Answer
A. NewExplanation
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.Rate this question:
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- 21.
What does the prefix "ob-" indicate in medical terms?
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Against
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Before
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After
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Middle
Correct Answer
A. AgainstExplanation
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.Rate this question:
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- 22.
What does the suffix "-oid" refer to in medical terminology?
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Pertaining to
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Large, long
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Like,shape,resemble
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Study of
Correct Answer
A. Like,shape,resembleExplanation
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.Rate this question:
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- 23.
What does the prefix "oligo-" signify in medical terms?
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Many
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Few
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Medicine
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Middle
Correct Answer
A. FewExplanation
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.Rate this question:
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- 24.
What does the suffix "-ology" mean in medical terminology?
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Science of
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Movement of
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Condition of
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Study of
Correct Answer
A. Study ofExplanation
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.Rate this question:
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- 25.
What does the suffix "-oma" refer to in medical terminology?
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Tumor
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Stone
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Incision
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Mouth
Correct Answer
A. TumorExplanation
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.Rate this question:
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- 26.
What does the suffix "-osis" indicate in medical terms?
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Incision
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Removal
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Diagnosis
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Condition
Correct Answer
A. ConditionExplanation
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.Rate this question:
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- 27.
What does the suffix "-otomy" refer to in medical terminology?
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Incision
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Suture
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Removal
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Replacement
Correct Answer
A. IncisionExplanation
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.Rate this question:
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- 28.
In medical terms, the suffix "-phagia" refers to which of the following?
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Condition
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Swallowing or eating
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Pain
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Inflammation
Correct Answer
A. Swallowing or eatingExplanation
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.Rate this question:
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- 29.
The prefix "brady-" indicates which of the following in medical terminology?
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Rapid
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Irregular
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Slow
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Normal
Correct Answer
A. SlowExplanation
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.Rate this question:
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- 30.
What does the suffix "-penia" indicate in medical terms?
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Excessive
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Abnormal growth
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Deficiency
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Tumor
Correct Answer
A. DeficiencyExplanation
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.Rate this question:
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Oct 14, 2024Quiz Edited by
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Apr 12, 2009Quiz Created by
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