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Quizzes > Health & Medicine

Medical Prefixes and Suffixes Quiz: A-H

Quick, free medical prefix and suffix quiz. Instant results.

Editorial: Review CompletedCreated By: Kendyl DawsonUpdated Aug 25, 2025
Difficulty: Moderate
2-5mins
Learning OutcomesCheat Sheet
Paper art illustration showing medical terminology quiz on prefixes and suffixes A-H against a sky blue background

This quiz helps you practice A-H medical prefixes and suffixes, spot gaps fast, and build recall. After you check your answers, expand your skills with a medical terminology quiz, try a medical terminology practice test for exam‑style questions, or refresh shorthand with a medical abbreviation quiz.

What does the suffix -desis mean in medical terminology?
Incision into
Surgical removal
Inflammation
Surgical binding or fusion
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In the term anuria, what does the prefix an- mean?
Around
Against
Without or lack of
Slow
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Which prefix means away from?
ante-
ab-
ad-
ambi-
undefined
The prefix anti- indicates which meaning?
Within
Against or counteracting
Half
Before
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What does the prefix brady- mean, as in bradycardia?
Slow
Absent
Fast
Irregular
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The prefix ad- in adduction means what?
Against
Before
Away from
Toward
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In antepartum, the prefix ante- means what in relation to birth?
Around
Before
Against
After
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What is the meaning of the prefix contra-, as in contraindication?
Beyond
Before
With or together
Against or opposed to
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Which prefix means through or across, as in dialysis?
dis-
peri-
endo-
dia-
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The prefix dys- in dysphasia conveys what sense?
Excessive
Around
Difficult or abnormal
Good or normal
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Which prefix best expresses down, lower, or breakdown, as in catabolism?
dia-
eu-
cata-
epi-
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In demineralization, the prefix de- most accurately means which of the following?
Removal or reversal
Excessive
Beside
Abnormal
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In the term ectopic, what does the prefix ec- (variant of ex-) mean?
Slow
Within
Before
Out or outside
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Which is the most accurate meaning of en- or endo-, as in endoscopy?
Half
Beyond
In, within, or inner
On or upon
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What does the prefix extra- mean, as in extracranial?
Across
Between
Toward
Outside or beyond
undefined
The suffix -emia refers to a blood condition.
False
True
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The suffix -esthesia refers to sensation or feeling.
False
True
undefined
The suffix -genic means record or image.
False
True
undefined
The suffix -genesis means formation or origin.
False
True
undefined
The suffix -gram is an instrument that records data.
True
False
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0

Study Outcomes

  1. Identify Common Medical Prefixes A - H -

    Recognize and recall key prefixes from A to H, such as "dys-" for difficult, to accurately interpret medical terms.

  2. Interpret Medical Suffixes Including "desis" -

    Define the suffix desis and other relevant A - H suffixes, understanding their meanings and clinical applications.

  3. Differentiate the Prefix for Difficult ("dys-") -

    Distinguish the prefix "dys-" from similar prefixes to correctly describe challenging or impaired conditions.

  4. Apply the Excision Prefix -

    Use the appropriate prefix indicating excision when constructing or deciphering terms related to removal procedures.

  5. Analyze Terms Incorporating the Suffix "desis" -

    Break down complex medical terms with "desis" to understand binding or fusion processes accurately.

  6. Enhance Your Medical Vocabulary -

    Reinforce your knowledge of A - H prefixes and suffixes to boost confidence and precision in medical terminology usage.

Cheat Sheet

  1. Understanding "what does suffix desis mean" -

    The suffix "-desis" comes from Greek, meaning binding or fixation, and is used to denote surgical fusion procedures. For example, "arthrodesis" refers to the surgical fusion of a joint (source: National Library of Medicine).

  2. Key "medical term for desis" examples -

    Familiarize yourself with terms like "tenodesis" (tendon fixation) and "vertebrodesis" (spinal fusion) to see how "-desis" conveys immobilization or stabilization. Recognizing these will make it easier to decode complex surgical terminology (source: American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons).

  3. Prefix for difficult: "dys-" -

    The prefix "dys-" signifies difficulty or abnormality, appearing in words such as "dysphagia" (difficulty swallowing) and "dysuria" (painful urination). A handy mnemonic is "DYS = Daily Yoke of Strain" to remember that "dys-" relates to discomfort or impairment (source: Johns Hopkins Medicine).

  4. Excision prefix: "ex-" -

    In "excision," the prefix "ex-" means out or away, paired with "cis" (to cut) to indicate removal. Recognizing this "excision prefix" aids in understanding terms like "exenteration" (removal of internal organs) at a glance (source: U.S. National Library of Medicine).

  5. Boost retention with a mnemonic for medical terminology desis -

    Use a phrase like "ABby ADds ANte ANtique BRave BIrth BRachy-ventures" to cover A - H prefixes ab-, ad-, ante-, anti-, brady-, bi-, brachy-, and link it to "medical terminology desis" to reinforce learning. This playful method enhances recall by grouping similar-sounding terms (source: University of Michigan Medical School).

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