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Quizzes > Health & Medicine

Medical Prefixes and Suffixes Quiz to Build Terminology Skills

Quick, free medical word parts quiz with instant results.

Editorial: Review CompletedCreated By: Rwe HrvatskaUpdated Aug 26, 2025
Difficulty: Moderate
2-5mins
Learning OutcomesCheat Sheet
Paper art medical quiz with paper lungs and text pulmon primi suffix meaning vomiting on golden yellow background

This medical prefixes and suffixes quiz helps you practice key word parts and understand their meanings in common terms, including tricky items like the primi prefix meaning and the suffix meaning vomiting. For more study, try our medical combining forms quiz and a broader medical terminology test, or focus on disease terms with pathology prefix and suffix.

What does the prefix "cardio-" mean in medical terminology?
Kidney
Lung
Liver
Heart
The prefix "cardio-" comes from the Greek "kardia" meaning heart. It is used in terms like cardiology (study of the heart) and myocardial (heart muscle). Recognizing this prefix helps in understanding cardiovascular terminology. .
What does the suffix "-itis" indicate in a medical term?
Removal
Inflammation
Study of
Tumor or mass
The suffix "-itis" denotes inflammation of a body part, as in arthritis (inflammation of joints) or tonsillitis (inflammation of the tonsils). It is one of the most common medical suffixes indicating an inflammatory condition. .
What does the prefix "neuro-" refer to?
Muscle
Nerve
Bone
Skin
The prefix "neuro-" is derived from the Greek word "neuron" meaning nerve. It appears in terms such as neurology (study of the nervous system) and neuropathy (nerve disease). Recognizing "neuro-" helps identify nerve-related medical conditions. .
What does the suffix "-logy" signify in medical terminology?
Surgical removal
Study of
Inflammation
Disease
The suffix "-logy" comes from the Greek "-logia" meaning study or science. It is used in terms such as biology (study of life) and dermatology (study of skin). This suffix identifies the field of study or science concerning that root. .
What does the prefix "derm-" or "dermat-" mean?
Bone
Blood
Skin
Muscle
The prefix "derm-" (or "dermat-") is from the Greek "derma" meaning skin. It appears in terms like dermatitis (inflammation of the skin) and dermatology (study of skin). It helps identify skin-related conditions. .
What does the suffix "-ectomy" denote?
Tumor
Surgical removal
Study of
Inflammation
The suffix "-ectomy" originates from the Greek "-ektom?" meaning excision. It refers to the surgical removal of a specific part, as in appendectomy (removal of the appendix). It is a key suffix in surgical terminology. .
What does the prefix "hepat-" refer to?
Kidney
Liver
Lung
Stomach
The prefix "hepat-" derives from the Greek "h?par" meaning liver. It is used in terms like hepatitis (inflammation of the liver) and hepatic (pertaining to the liver). Recognizing this prefix helps in hepatology-related contexts. .
What does the suffix "-algia" mean?
Heat
Pain
Tumor
Swelling
The suffix "-algia" comes from the Greek "algos" meaning pain. It indicates pain in a part, as in neuralgia (nerve pain) and myalgia (muscle pain). Understanding this suffix aids in identifying pain-related conditions. .
What does the prefix "oste-" refer to in medical terms?
Cartilage
Joint
Bone
Muscle
The prefix "oste-" is derived from the Greek "osteon" meaning bone. It is seen in terms like osteoporosis (condition of porous bones) and osteoarthritis (joint inflammation involving bone). It denotes a bone-related context. .
What does the suffix "-gram" signify?
Record or image
Pain
Study of
Inflammation
The suffix "-gram" comes from the Greek "gramma" meaning something written or record. It refers to a record or image produced, as in electrocardiogram (heart electrical record). This suffix is common in diagnostic tests. .
What does the prefix "gastro-" refer to?
Intestine
Stomach
Kidney
Liver
The prefix "gastro-" comes from the Greek "gast?r" meaning stomach. It appears in terms like gastritis (inflammation of the stomach) and gastroenterology (study of the stomach and intestines). Recognizing this prefix aids in gastrointestinal contexts. .
What does the suffix "-emia" mean?
Blood condition
Swelling
Urine condition
Tumor
The suffix "-emia" is from the Greek "haima" meaning blood. It denotes a blood condition, such as anemia (lack of blood cells) and hyperglycemia (high blood sugar in the blood). This suffix is key in hematological terms. .
What does the prefix "pulmon-" mean?
Heart
Liver
Lung
Kidney
The prefix "pulmon-" is derived from the Latin "pulmo" meaning lung. It appears in terms like pulmonary (pertaining to the lungs) and pulmonology (study of lung diseases). Recognizing this prefix is essential in respiratory medicine. .
What does the prefix "tachy-" mean?
Slow
Fast
Normal
Excessive
The prefix "tachy-" comes from the Greek "tachys" meaning swift or fast. It appears in terms such as tachycardia (fast heart rate) and tachypnea (rapid breathing). It denotes an accelerated rate. .
What does the prefix "brady-" refer to?
Slow
Fast
Below
Normal
Derived from the Greek "bradys" meaning slow, "brady-" is used in terms like bradycardia (slow heart rate). Recognizing this prefix helps identify slower-than-normal rates. .
What does the prefix "primi-" indicate?
Double
Many
First
After
The prefix "primi-" stems from Latin "primus" meaning first. It is used in obstetrics as in primigravida (first pregnancy). It signifies the first occurrence. .
What does the suffix "-stomy" denote?
Removal
Study of
Creation of an opening
Inflammation
The suffix "-stomy" means creating a surgical opening, as in colostomy (opening of colon to abdomen). It denotes formation of a mouth or opening. .
What does the suffix "-oscopy" indicate?
Visual examination
Inflammation
Study of
Removal
"-oscopy" comes from the Greek "skopos" meaning to look. It refers to visual examination with an instrument, as in endoscopy. .
What does the prefix "endo-" mean?
Within
Outside
Between
After
The prefix "endo-" comes from Greek meaning within or inside. It is used in terms like endocardium (inner heart lining) and endocrine glands. .
What does the prefix "exo-" refer to?
Between
Beneath
Outside
Within
Derived from Greek "exo" meaning outside, as in exocrine glands (secreting externally). It indicates outward location. .
What does the suffix "-osis" mean in medical terms?
Inflammation
Condition or disease
Removal
Study of
The suffix "-osis" denotes a state or condition, often abnormal or diseased, such as in tuberculosis (bacterial disease) or leukocytosis (increased white blood cells). .
What does the prefix "hypo-" signify?
Between
Equal
Above or excessive
Under or below normal
From Greek "hypo" meaning under, it indicates deficiency or below normal, as in hypoglycemia (low blood sugar). .
What does the prefix "hyper-" mean?
Between
Under
Equal
Over or excessive
"Hyper-" is from Greek meaning over or excessive, as in hypertension (high blood pressure) and hyperthermia (high body temperature). .
What does the suffix "-plasty" denote?
Surgical repair
Study of
Removal
Visual examination
The suffix "-plasty" means molding or surgical repair, as in rhinoplasty (nose reshaping) and angioplasty (vessel repair). .
What does the prefix "multi-" indicate?
Single
Few
None
Many
From Latin "multus" meaning many, it appears in terms like multigravida (multiple pregnancies) and multimodal. .
What does the suffix "-phobia" mean?
Inflammation
Study of
Love
Fear
The suffix "-phobia" comes from Greek "phobos" meaning fear or aversion. It appears in terms like arachnophobia (fear of spiders). .
In the term "primigravida," what does the prefix "primi-" indicate?
No pregnancies
Subsequent pregnancy
First pregnancy
Multiple pregnancies
The prefix "primi-" in primigravida denotes the first pregnancy. "Gravida" refers to pregnancy. This term specifically describes a woman in her first pregnancy. .
What does the suffix "-emesis" refer to?
Vomiting
Swelling
Bleeding
Pain
The suffix "-emesis" comes from Greek "emesin" meaning vomit. It appears in terms like hyperemesis (excessive vomiting). Recognizing this suffix identifies vomiting-related conditions. .
What is the meaning of combining "pulmono-" and "-itis"?
Removal of the lung
Disease of the kidney
Inflammation of the lung
Study of the lung
"Pulmono-" refers to lung and "-itis" indicates inflammation. Together, pulmonitis means inflammation of lung tissue, similar to pneumonia. Understanding roots and suffixes helps dissect complex terms. .
In the term "polydipsia," what does the prefix "poly-" mean?
Small
Many or excessive
Normal
Few
The prefix "poly-" derives from Greek "polys" meaning many or much. "Dipsia" means thirst, so polydipsia refers to excessive thirst. Recognizing "poly-" helps identify quantity in terms. .
In "endocarditis," what do the prefix "endo-" and suffix "-itis" together mean?
Inflammation of the heart's inner lining
Study of the heart
Removal of heart lining
Inflammation of the heart muscle
"Endo-" means within and "-itis" means inflammation. Endocarditis is inflammation of the endocardium, the inner lining of the heart. It is a serious condition often caused by infection. .
What does the suffix "-uria" refer to?
Absence
Excretion
Urine condition
Blood condition
The suffix "-uria" comes from Greek "ouron" meaning urine. It indicates a urine condition, as in hematuria (blood in urine) or polyuria (excessive urination). .
What does the prefix "a-" or "an-" signify?
Within
With or together
Without or lack of
Above
The prefixes "a-" or "an-" are from Greek meaning without or lacking. They appear in terms like anemia (lack of blood cells) and aphasia (loss of speech). .
What does the prefix "hemi-" mean?
None
Four
Half
Whole
Derived from Greek "hemi" meaning half, as in hemiplegia (paralysis of half the body). It indicates one side or half. .
In "tachypnea," what does the suffix "-pnea" denote?
Heart rate
Speech
Movement
Breathing
The suffix "-pnea" comes from Greek "pnoia" meaning breath. Tachypnea means rapid breathing. This suffix helps identify respiratory patterns. .
In "hypoglycemia," what do "hypo-" and "-emia" together indicate?
Normal blood sugar
Low blood sugar
High blood sugar
No blood sugar
"Hypo-" means below normal and "-emia" refers to a blood condition. Hypoglycemia is a condition of low blood glucose. .
In "leukocytosis," what does the suffix "-osis" indicate?
Inflammation
Increase in cells
Removal
Study of
In this context, "-osis" denotes an increase or abnormal condition. Leukocytosis refers to an elevated white blood cell count. Suffix meaning can vary by context. .
What does the prefix "dys-" mean?
Bad, difficult, or abnormal
Good or normal
Before
After
From Greek "dys" meaning bad or difficult, it appears in terms like dysphagia (difficulty swallowing) and dystrophy (abnormal growth). Recognizing "dys-" helps identify abnormal states. .
In the term "pericardiectomy," what does the prefix "peri-" mean?
Around
Within
Removal
Inflammation
The prefix "peri-" comes from Greek "peri" meaning around. Pericardiectomy is the surgical removal of the pericardium (the sac around the heart). Understanding this prefix clarifies anatomical location. .
What does the term "primipara" mean?
Woman who has never given birth
Woman in her first pregnancy
Woman who has borne multiple children
Woman who has borne one child
"Primipara" combines "primi-" meaning first and "-para" denoting to bear. It refers to a woman who has given birth to one child. This term distinguishes childbirth history. .
What condition does "hyperemesis gravidarum" describe?
Low blood sugar in pregnancy
High blood pressure while pregnant
Excessive sweating in pregnancy
Severe vomiting during pregnancy
Hyperemesis gravidarum combines "hyper-" (excessive), "-emesis" (vomiting), and "gravidarum" (pregnancy). It refers to severe, persistent vomiting in pregnancy. It can lead to dehydration and requires medical management. .
What procedure is described by "pulmonectomy"?
Inflammation of the lung
Visual examination of the lung
Surgical removal of a lung
Surgical opening of the lung
"Pulmonectomy" combines "pulmon-" meaning lung and "-ectomy" meaning removal. It refers to the surgical excision of one or both lungs. The more common term is pneumonectomy, but pulmonectomy is synonymous. .
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Study Outcomes

  1. Identify the Pulmon Prefix -

    Recognize and define the pulmon prefix to accurately denote lung-related terms in medical contexts.

  2. Analyze the Primi Prefix -

    Determine the meaning of the primi prefix and understand its application in describing first or primary conditions.

  3. Determine Which of the Following Suffixes Means Vomiting -

    Recall and select the correct suffix that indicates vomiting, reinforcing your knowledge of emesis-related terminology.

  4. Explain the Prefix in Autoimmune -

    Clarify what the prefix auto- means in the term autoimmune to understand self-directed immune responses.

  5. Interpret the Prefix Dys in Dyspnea -

    Define the prefix dys- in the word dyspnea to identify its role in indicating difficulty or impairment of breathing.

  6. Apply Prefix and Suffix Knowledge -

    Deconstruct and interpret unfamiliar medical terms by synthesizing your understanding of common prefixes and suffixes.

Cheat Sheet

  1. Suffix "-emesis" -

    The suffix "-emesis" means vomiting, as seen in hematemesis (vomiting blood) and hyperemesis gravidarum (excessive pregnancy vomiting). A helpful mnemonic is "emesis empties us," picturing the stomach forcefully expelling its contents. (Source: University of Michigan Medical School)

  2. Prefix "pulmon-" -

    Originating from the Latin pulmones meaning "lungs," pulmon- appears in terms like pulmonary artery and pulmonologist. Remember "pulmoN for Lung" to recall its association with breathing structures. It anchors your grasp on pulmonary function tests and lung-related conditions. (Source: National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute)

  3. Prefix "primi-" -

    The prefix "primi-" means first and is commonly encountered in primigravida (a woman pregnant for the first time) and primipara (first-born child). You can remember it by picturing a "prize" for the first-place winner. This aids in obstetrics and neonatal medical contexts. (Source: National Institutes of Health)

  4. Prefix "dys-" -

    "Dys-" means bad or difficult, as in dyspnea (difficulty breathing) and dysphagia (difficulty swallowing). Think of "dys" sounding like "this" with a hitch - something's going wrong. Many terms use dys- to flag a functional impairment. (Source: Merck Manual)

  5. Prefix "auto-" -

    The prefix "auto-" means self, used in terms such as autoimmune (self immune response) and autograph (self-written). A quick mnemonic is "auto = autograph = self-signed." Recognizing auto- boosts comprehension of self-directed physiological processes. (Source: Mayo Clinic)

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