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Quizzes > Health & Medicine

Oxia medical term: meaning and examples (A-H word parts quiz)

Quick, free medical word parts quiz with instant results.

Editorial: Review CompletedCreated By: Angie AguilarUpdated Aug 28, 2025
Difficulty: Moderate
2-5mins
Learning OutcomesCheat Sheet
paper art illustration of quiz on medical prefixes and suffixes challenging bi affix and algia terms on coral background

This quick quiz helps you check the meaning of oxia in medical terms and spot it in common words. For more practice with related word parts, explore medical prefixes quiz, review osis suffix meaning, or learn about pathology prefix and suffix. You will get instant feedback to see what to review next.

What does the prefix "a-" or "an-" mean in medical terminology?
Pain
Without or lacking
Blood
Large
In medical terms, the prefix "a-" or "an-" indicates absence or lack of something. It's used in words like "anemia" (lack of blood) or "asymptomatic" (without symptoms). This prefix originates from Greek. Learn more at .
What does the prefix "bi-" signify in medical terminology?
Life
Good
Two or twice
Slow
The prefix "bi-" means "two" or "twice," as seen in terms like "bicuspid" (having two cusps) and "bilateral" (affecting both sides). It comes from Latin. For more, see .
What does the suffix "-algia" mean?
Study of
Inflammation
Pain
Formation
The suffix "-algia" denotes pain or painful condition, as in "neuralgia" (nerve pain) or "arthralgia" (joint pain). It derives from the Greek "algos" meaning pain. More information at .
What does the prefix "brady-" mean?
Fast
Slow
Short
Large
In medical terminology, "brady-" indicates slowness, as in "bradycardia" (slow heart rate). The term originates from the Greek word "bradys" meaning slow. For further detail see .
The prefix "cardio-" refers to which organ?
Kidney
Liver
Heart
Lung
"Cardio-" is a combining form meaning "heart," used in terms like "cardiology" (study of the heart) and "cardiomegaly" (enlarged heart). It derives from the Greek "kardia." See .
What does the prefix "cyan-" mean?
Green
Blue
Red
Yellow
The prefix "cyan-" means "blue," as seen in "cyanosis" (a bluish discoloration of the skin due to lack of oxygen). It comes from the Greek "kyanos" for dark blue. More at .
What does the prefix "derm-" or "dermat-" refer to?
Bone
Nerve
Skin
Muscle
"Derm-" and "dermat-" are prefixes meaning "skin," used in words like "dermatitis" (inflammation of the skin) and "hypodermic" (under the skin). The origin is Greek. See .
What does the prefix "dys-" denote?
Difficult, bad, or impaired
Good or normal
Above or excessive
Below or insufficient
The prefix "dys-" means "bad," "difficult," or "impaired," as in "dysfunction" (impaired function) or "dysphagia" (difficulty swallowing). It originates from Greek. Read more at .
What does the prefix "endo-" mean?
Before
Within or inside
Outside
After
In medical terms, "endo-" means "within" or "inside," as used in "endoscopy" (viewing inside the body) and "endocardium" (inner heart lining). It derives from Greek. More at .
The prefix "epi-" indicates what position?
Between
Within
Upon or above
Below
"Epi-" is a prefix meaning "upon," "over," or "above," seen in "epidermis" (outer layer of skin) and "epicardium" (outer layer of heart). It comes from Greek. See .
What does the term "arthralgia" mean?
Nerve pain
Joint pain
Skin pain
Muscle pain
"Arthralgia" combines "arthr-" for joint and "-algia" for pain, so it means "joint pain." Conditions like arthritis and arthralgia involve joint discomfort. More details at .
What does the term "hypodermic" refer to?
Above the skin
Through the skin
Under the skin
Within the skin
"Hypodermic" uses "hypo-" meaning "under" and "derm-" meaning "skin," referring to injections given beneath the skin. The hypodermic needle targets subcutaneous tissue. See .
Gastroenterology is the study of which parts of the body?
Stomach only
Intestines only
Stomach and intestines
Liver
"Gastroenterology" combines "gastr-" (stomach), "enter-" (intestine), and "-ology" (study of), so it's the study of the stomach and intestines. Specialists diagnose and treat digestive disorders. More at .
What does "hematemesis" mean?
Blood in urine
Low blood volume
Blood in stool
Vomiting blood
"Hematemesis" combines "hemat-" (blood) and "-emesis" (vomiting), meaning vomiting of blood. It's a serious symptom requiring prompt evaluation. For more info visit .
What condition does "hyperglycemia" describe?
Low blood glucose
Low blood sodium
High blood potassium
High blood glucose
"Hyperglycemia" uses "hyper-" (excessive) and "glyc-" (glucose), referring to high blood sugar. It's commonly seen in uncontrolled diabetes. Learn more at .
What does "hypoxia" mean?
High oxygen levels
No oxygen use
Normal oxygen levels
Low oxygen levels
"Hypoxia" combines "hypo-" (low) and "-oxia" (oxygen), indicating low oxygen in tissues. It can result from respiratory or circulatory issues. See .
Dermopathy refers to a disease of which organ?
Liver
Kidney
Heart
Skin
"Dermopathy" uses "dermo-" (skin) and "-pathy" (disease), meaning skin disease. It's a broad term for many dermatological conditions. More at .
What does the prefix "ecto-" mean?
Below
Within
Above
Outside
"Ecto-" means "outside" or "external," as in "ectoderm" (outer layer of an embryo). It is of Greek origin. See .
The suffix "-itis" denotes what?
Fluid build-up
Inflammation
Pain
Study of
In medical terminology, "-itis" indicates inflammation, as in "appendicitis" (inflammation of the appendix) or "dermatitis" (skin inflammation). It comes from Greek "itis." Learn more at .
What does "hepatomegaly" mean?
Scar tissue in the liver
Fatty liver
Inflammation of the liver
Enlargement of the liver
"Hepatomegaly" combines "hepato-" (liver) and "-megaly" (enlargement), meaning enlarged liver. It's a sign in many hepatic conditions. More info at .
What does "encephalopathy" refer to?
Disease of the intestines
Disease of the liver
Disease of the brain
Disease of the kidneys
"Encephalopathy" combines "encephal-" (brain) and "-pathy" (disease), indicating any disease affecting the brain. It can be metabolic, toxic, or infectious. See .
What process is described by "erythropoiesis"?
Destruction of red blood cells
Formation of white blood cells
Destruction of platelets
Formation of red blood cells
"Erythropoiesis" uses "erythro-" (red) and "-poiesis" (formation), meaning the production of red blood cells. It occurs in the bone marrow under erythropoietin control. More at .
Glossitis is inflammation of which structure?
Liver
Tongue
Heart
Lungs
"Glossitis" combines "gloss-" (tongue) and "-itis" (inflammation), referring to inflammation of the tongue. It can be caused by infection, allergy, or nutrient deficiency. Read more at .
What does "hysterotomy" mean?
Inflammation of the uterus
Incision into the uterus
Examination of the uterus
Removal of the uterus
"Hysterotomy" combines "hyster-" (uterus) and "-tomy" (incision), meaning a surgical incision into the uterus. It's performed in certain obstetric procedures. See .
The prefix "brachy-" means what?
Narrow
Short
Wide
Long
"Brachy-" is a prefix meaning "short," as used in "brachycephalic" (short-headed) and "brachydactyly" (short fingers). It originates from Greek. For more, see .
What does "cryalgia" refer to?
Pain due to cold
Pain relief by cold
Pain due to heat
Pain in the skull
"Cryalgia" combines "cryo-" (cold) and "-algia" (pain), meaning pain caused by cold exposure. It's a less common term describing cold-induced pain. See .
What does the prefix "glyco-" mean?
Sugar
Salt
Protein
Fat
"Glyco-" is a prefix meaning "sugar," as in "glycemia" (blood sugar) and "glycogen" (a storage form of glucose). It originates from Greek "glykys." More at .
What does the prefix "helio-" denote?
Sun
Wind
Earth
Moon
"Helio-" is a prefix meaning "sun," as used in "heliotherapy" (treatment with sunlight) and "heliocentric." It comes from Greek "helios." See .
What does "hepatopathy" refer to?
Disease of the liver
Inflammation of the spleen
Infection of the lungs
Enlargement of the heart
"Hepatopathy" combines "hepato-" (liver) and "-pathy" (disease), meaning any disease of the liver. It's a broad term covering hepatitis, cirrhosis, etc. More at .
The prefix "contra-" means:
Before
Through
Opposite or against
Same side
"Contra-" is a prefix meaning "against" or "opposite," as seen in "contralateral" (opposite side) and "contraception" (against conception). It derives from Latin. For more, see .
What does "hypochondriasis" literally mean based on its Greek roots?
Abnormal condition under the ribs
Excessive blood under the skin
Weakness in the chest area
Fear of heights
"Hypochondriasis" combines "hypo-" (under), "chondr-" (cartilage, referring to ribs), and "-iasis" (condition), meaning a condition under the ribs. Historically it referred to upper abdominal distress. See .
What does the term "hematohidrosis" describe?
Excessive tearing
Blood in the urine
Dry skin
Sweating blood
"Hematohidrosis" uses "hemato-" (blood) and "hidrosis" (sweating), referring to the rare condition of sweating blood. It may occur under extreme stress. More information at .
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Study Outcomes

  1. Identify Key Prefixes -

    Learn to identify and recall common bi medical prefixes from A to H used in medical terminology.

  2. Define Prefix Meanings -

    Understand and articulate the definitions of each bi medical prefix to enhance comprehension of medical terms.

  3. Recognize Suffix Patterns -

    Detect and complete words featuring the suffix algia to solidify knowledge of pain-related medical terminology.

  4. Apply Prefixes and Suffixes -

    Use your understanding of prefixes and the algia suffix to accurately fill in blanks and form correct medical terms.

  5. Analyze Medical Terms -

    Combine your knowledge of bi medical prefixes and the algia suffix to interpret and break down complex medical vocabulary.

Cheat Sheet

  1. Prefix A-/An- (absence or without) -

    These Greek-derived bi medical prefixes signify "without" or "absence," as seen in "analgesia" (an- + algia = without pain). Understanding A-/An- helps decode terms like "anaerobic" (without oxygen). Try the mnemonic "A-n Missing" to remember that A-/An- removes meaning.

  2. Prefix Anti- (against or opposing) -

    Anti- is a versatile bi medical prefix meaning "against" or "counteracting," commonly used in "antibiotic" (against life). Recognizing Anti- guides you in terms like "anticoagulant" (against clotting). Think "those with Anti- signs stand against" to lock it in.

  3. Prefix Brady- (slow) -

    Brady-, from Greek bradys, means "slow," as in "bradycardia" (slow heart rate). It contrasts with tachy- (fast) and appears in electrophysiology resources like the American Heart Association. A quick trick: "Brady brings the beat down" clarifies its usage.

  4. Prefix Cardio- (heart) -

    Cardio- originates from καϝδία (heart) and features in terms such as "cardiology" (study of the heart). This bi medical prefix pairs with -logy (study) to form "cardiology," a staple in medical curricula at institutions like Mayo Clinic. Visualize a "card deck" stamped with a heart to cement the link.

  5. Suffix ‑algia (pain) -

    The suffix ‑algia denotes "pain" and appears in words with the suffix algia such as "neuralgia" (nerve pain) and "myalgia" (muscle pain). It's essential for parsing symptom-based terms in clinical guidelines from the National Institutes of Health. Recall "Al-ge-ia = ouch area" to nail its meaning.

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