Ready to elevate your medical terminology prowess? Dive into our free medical term suffix ic quiz & prefix test - a dynamic way for students, nurses, and health enthusiasts to sharpen their word-building skills. You'll uncover what does the suffix lysis mean, identify the suffix for penia, demystify medical term asis, and even define prefix brady with confidence. This targeted exercise not only tests your recall but teaches you to apply concepts in clinical contexts or crush that medical terminology midterm exam . Pair it with our prefixes and suffixes quiz for extra practice. Friendly, motivating, and totally free - jump in now and master those key endings and beginnings!
What does the suffix "-ic" mean in medical terminology?
Pertaining to
Inflammation of
Study of
Surgical removal of
The suffix "-ic" in medical terminology forms adjectives meaning "pertaining to" or "relating to" a root word. For instance, gastric means relating to the stomach. It is frequently used to describe characteristics or conditions. More on medical suffixes.
What is the meaning of the suffix "-itis"?
Study of
Deficiency
Inflammation
Surgical removal
The suffix "-itis" denotes inflammation of an organ or tissue. For example, appendicitis refers to inflammation of the appendix. It's commonly applied to describe infectious or autoimmune processes. More on -itis suffix.
What does the prefix "hyper-" mean?
Excessive
Against
Deficient
Within
The prefix "hyper-" means above or excessive. For instance, hypertension refers to abnormally high blood pressure. It is used to describe conditions of overactivity or excess. More on hyper- prefix.
What does the prefix "hypo-" indicate?
Under or below normal
Above normal
Between
Around
The prefix "hypo-" means under or below. An example is hypoglycemia, which means low blood sugar. It denotes deficiency or decreased function. More on hypo- prefix.
The suffix "-ectomy" means:
Surgical removal
Visual examination
Destruction
Formation
The suffix "-ectomy" refers to the surgical removal of a body part or tissue. For example, appendectomy is the removal of the appendix. It's a common ending in surgical procedure names. Appendectomy details.
What does the suffix "-algia" denote?
Pain
Inflammation
Enlargement
Study of
The suffix "-algia" means pain in a part of the body. For example, neuralgia refers to nerve pain. It helps specify the type or location of pain. More on -algia suffix.
The prefix "brady-" refers to:
Slow
Fast
Good
Bad
The prefix "brady-" means slow. For example, bradycardia is an abnormally slow heart rate. It is used to indicate decreased speed or rate. More on brady- prefix.
The prefix "tachy-" means:
Slow
Few
Fast
Many
The prefix "tachy-" denotes rapid or fast. Tachycardia means rapid heart rate. It's commonly used to describe accelerated physiological processes. More on tachy- prefix.
The suffix "-penia" refers to:
Enlargement
Deficiency
Inflammation
Excess
The suffix "-penia" indicates a deficiency or lack of cells. For example, leukopenia is a reduced white blood cell count. It's used to describe decreases in blood components. More on -penia suffix.
The suffix "-oma" indicates:
Tumor
Inflammation
Destruction
Study of
The suffix "-oma" denotes a tumor or neoplasm. For example, carcinoma is a cancerous tumor of epithelial cells. It may describe benign or malignant growths. More on -oma suffix.
What does the suffix "-scopy" mean?
Surgical creation
Recording
Deficiency
Visual examination
The suffix "-scopy" refers to visual examination of the inside of a body part, often using an instrument. For example, endoscopy examines internal organs. It's essential for diagnostic procedures. Endoscopy overview.
What does "gastrectomy" mean?
Surgical removal of the stomach
Inflammation of the stomach
Study of the stomach
Disease of the stomach
Gastrectomy combines the root gastr - (stomach) with suffix - ectomy (surgical removal), meaning removal of the stomach. Partial or total gastrectomy is used to treat ulcers or cancer. Gastrectomy info.
Hematology is the study of:
Kidneys
Blood
Liver
Joints
The suffix - logy means study of, and hemat - means blood, so hematology is the study of blood. It covers blood cells, disorders, and coagulation. Basics of hematology.
What is nephrolithiasis?
Kidney stones
Liver inflammation
Lung infection
Pancreatic cysts
Nephr - means kidney and - lithiasis means stone formation. Nephrolithiasis refers to kidney stones. It causes flank pain and urinary issues. Kidney stones overview.
Osteomalacia means:
Hardening of bones
Softening of bones
Inflammation of bones
Study of bones
Osteo - means bone and - malacia means softening, so osteomalacia is softening of bones. It often results from vitamin D deficiency. Osteomalacia details.
The suffix "-lysis" denotes:
Inflammation
Surgical removal
Breakdown or destruction
Formation
The suffix - lysis indicates breakdown or destruction of cells or substances. For example, hemolysis is the breakdown of red blood cells. It's used in pathology and laboratory contexts. More on -lysis suffix.
Leukopenia means:
High platelet count
Low red blood cell count
High white blood cell count
Low white blood cell count
Leuk - refers to white blood cells and - penia means deficiency, so leukopenia is a low white blood cell count. It increases infection risk. Leukopenia overview.
What is bronchiectasis?
Tumor in the bronchi
Dilation of the bronchi
Inflammation of the bronchi
Constriction of the bronchi
Bronchi - is the airway and - ectasis means dilation, so bronchiectasis is chronic widening of bronchi. It leads to mucus retention and infections. Bronchiectasis guide.
The suffix "-stomy" means:
Visual examination
Surgical removal
Recording
Surgical creation of an opening
The suffix - stomy denotes the creation of a new opening between an organ and the body surface. For example, colostomy creates an opening from the colon to the abdominal wall. Colostomy info.
What does "electroencephalogram" record?
Heart rate
Kidney function
Brain electrical activity
Muscle contractions
Electro - means electrical, encephalo - means brain, and - gram means recording. An EEG records electrical patterns in the brain. EEG overview.
Hepatomegaly refers to:
Enlarged liver
Study of the liver
Inflammation of the liver
Shrunken liver
Hepato - means liver and - megaly means enlargement, so hepatomegaly is an enlarged liver. It can result from fatty liver, hepatitis, or congestion. Hepatomegaly details.
The prefix "peri-" means:
Below
Around
Above
Through
The prefix peri - means around or surrounding. For instance, pericardium is the membrane around the heart. It denotes encasement or vicinity. More on peri- prefix.
What does "arthroplasty" refer to?
Inflammation of a joint
Surgical repair of a joint
Surgical removal of a joint
Study of a joint
Arthro - means joint and - plasty means surgical repair or reconstruction. Arthroplasty involves replacing or reshaping a joint. Hip and knee replacements are common arthroplasties. Arthroplasty overview.
Polydipsia means:
Excessive thirst
Excessive hunger
Excessive urination
Excessive sweating
Poly - means many or excessive and - dipsia relates to thirst. Polydipsia is excessive thirst, often seen in diabetes. It indicates fluid imbalance. Polydipsia info.
The suffix "-graphy" indicates:
Surgical removal
Destruction
Study of
Process of recording an image
The suffix - graphy means the process of recording images or data. Mammography is imaging of the breast. It's key in diagnostic radiology. Mammography guide.
What does "cyanosis" refer to?
Red rash
Excessive sweating
Bluish discoloration of skin
Yellowing of skin
Cyan - means blue and - osis means condition. Cyanosis is a blue discoloration of skin due to low oxygen. It's a sign of impaired circulation or respiratory issues. Cyanosis details.
What is myringotomy?
Visual examination of the eardrum
Surgical incision into the eardrum
Removal of the eardrum
Destruction of the eardrum
Myringo - refers to the eardrum and - tomy means incision. Myringotomy is a small surgical cut in the eardrum to relieve pressure or fluid. It's often performed with tube placement. Procedure overview.
The suffix "-uria" means:
Tissue condition
Cell condition
Blood condition
Urine condition
The suffix - uria pertains to urine or urination. For instance, hematuria means blood in the urine. It's used in urinary diagnostics. More on -uria suffix.
What does "encephalopathy" mean?
Study of the brain
Surgical removal of brain tissue
Inflammation of the brain
Any disease of the brain
Encephalo - means brain and - pathy means disease. Encephalopathy refers to any brain disorder, from toxins to metabolic issues. Encephalopathy guide.
Dysphagia refers to:
Fear of eating
Speech disorder
Difficulty swallowing
Excessive hunger
Dys - means bad or difficult and - phagia refers to eating or swallowing. Dysphagia is difficulty swallowing. It often occurs after stroke or in esophageal disorders. Dysphagia overview.
The prefix "epi-" means:
Upon or above
Below
Within
Between
The prefix epi - means upon or above. For example, epidermis is the outer layer of skin. It denotes location relative to another structure. More on epi- prefix.
What is spondylolisthesis?
Forward slipping of a vertebra
Fusion of vertebrae
Fracture of a vertebra
Inflammation of the spine
Spondylo - refers to vertebra and - listhesis means slipping. Spondylolisthesis is forward displacement of one vertebra over another. It can cause back pain and nerve compression. Condition overview.
What does "pancytopenia" indicate?
Excess of white blood cells only
Excess of all blood cells
Deficiency of all blood cells
Deficiency of red blood cells only
Pan - means all, cyto - means cell, and - penia means deficiency. Pancytopenia is a reduction in all blood cell types. It may result from bone marrow failure or toxins. More on pancytopenia.
What does "osteosarcoma" refer to?
Benign bone growth
Cartilage tumor
Malignant bone tumor
Soft tissue tumor
Osteo - means bone and - sarcoma refers to a malignant tumor of connective tissue. Osteosarcoma is a primary bone cancer. It often affects children and adolescents. Osteosarcoma details.
The term "tachypnea" means:
Slow breathing
Difficult breathing
Absent breathing
Abnormally rapid breathing
Tachy - means fast and - pnea refers to breathing. Tachypnea is abnormally rapid respiratory rate. It's seen in fever, anxiety, or pulmonary disease. Tachypnea overview.
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Study Outcomes
Identify key medical suffixes -
After completing the quiz, learners will pinpoint and explain the meanings of common medical term suffixes such as -ic, -lysis, -penia, and -asis.
Define foundational prefixes -
Participants will define prefixes like brady- and describe their role in modifying root words to convey specific medical concepts.
Differentiate terms by ending -
Users will distinguish medical terms based on their suffixes and understand how each ending alters term function and context.
Apply suffix knowledge -
Readers will apply their understanding of the medical term suffix ic and other endings in quiz questions to reinforce retention and accuracy.
Enhance terminology recall -
Through interactive testing, learners will improve memory retention of key prefixes and suffixes, supporting faster recall in clinical scenarios.
Build vocabulary confidence -
By successfully identifying and using prefixes and suffixes in quizzes, readers will gain confidence in decoding and employing medical terms.
Cheat Sheet
Understanding the suffix "-ic" -
The suffix "-ic" means "pertaining to" or "related to," as seen in terms like "hepatic" (pertaining to the liver) and "cardiac" (pertaining to the heart). A handy mnemonic is "IC = In a Condition," reminding you that terms ending in -ic describe a condition or characteristic. (Source: Dorland's Illustrated Medical Dictionary, Elsevier)
Decoding the suffix "-lysis" -
"-lysis" signifies "breakdown" or "destruction," exemplified by "hemolysis" (destruction of red blood cells) and "dialysis" (filtering of blood). Remember "lyse" sounds like "slice," helping you recall that something is being split apart or broken down. (Source: Merriam-Webster Medical Dictionary)
Recognizing the suffix "-penia" -
The suffix "-penia" indicates a "deficiency" or "lack," as in "leukopenia" (low white blood cell count) and "thrombocytopenia" (low platelet count). Think "penia = penny," and imagine you have very few pennies to remember it marks scarcity. (Source: National Institutes of Health MedlinePlus)
Interpreting the suffix "-asis" -
"-asis" denotes a "state" or "condition," found in words like "psoriasis" (a skin condition) and "nephrolithiasis" (kidney stone condition). Use the phrase "a sis = a state" to lock in that -asis refers to ongoing conditions. (Source: Stedman's Medical Dictionary)
Defining the prefix "brady-" -
The prefix "brady-" means "slow," as in "bradycardia" (slow heart rate) or "bradypnea" (slow breathing). A fun memory trick is "brady and lazy," pairing slow movement with laziness. (Source: American Heart Association)
