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Quizzes > Health & Medicine

Blast Suffix Meaning Quiz: Understand 'blast' in erythroblast

Quick, free quiz on medical terminology; instant results on erythroblast suffix meaning.

Editorial: Review CompletedCreated By: Patrick ClarkUpdated Aug 23, 2025
Difficulty: Moderate
2-5mins
Learning OutcomesCheat Sheet
Paper art illustration of red blood cells lymph nodes vessels on teal background with quiz prompt

Use this quiz to check your grasp of the blast suffix meaning in erythroblast and other blood and lymph terms. Get instant feedback to spot gaps, then explore related topics such as phlebotomy roots and suffixes, stasis suffix meaning, and the formed elements of blood to connect word parts with real structures.

What is indicated by the suffix "-blast" in medical terminology?
Immature cell
Mature cell
Cell fragment
Cell nucleus
The suffix "-blast" comes from the Greek word "blastos," meaning germ or sprout, and denotes an immature precursor cell in hematopoiesis. An erythroblast, for example, is an immature red blood cell in development. This term is widely used to classify early stages of blood cell lines.
Which suffix is present in the term "erythroblast"?
-osis
-phyte
-blast
-cyte
The term "erythroblast" contains the suffix "-blast," indicating an immature red blood cell precursor. "Erythro-" refers to red, and the suffix reveals stage in cell maturity. This terminology is central to understanding erythropoiesis.
What does the suffix "-cyte" denote?
Disease
Tissue
Organ
Cell
The suffix "-cyte" derives from the Greek "kytos," meaning container or cell, and is used to denote a cell type. Examples include erythrocyte (red blood cell) and leukocyte (white blood cell). It's one of the most common suffixes in histology and hematology.
In the word "leukocyte", what does the suffix "-cyte" mean?
White cell
Cell
Nucleus
White
In "leukocyte," the suffix "-cyte" means cell, while "leuko-" refers to white. Thus leukocyte literally means white cell. This is standard anatomical nomenclature.
What does the suffix "-penia" mean in hematologic terms?
Deficiency
Inflammation
Formation
Excess
The suffix "-penia" indicates a deficiency or lack of cells. For instance, leukopenia means reduced white blood cell count. It's commonly used to describe cytopenias in blood tests.
In "thrombocytopenia", the suffix "-penia" indicates:
Blood cell
Inflammation
Deficiency of platelets
Clot formation
Thrombocytopenia literally means a deficiency ("-penia") of platelets ("thrombocytes"). It is diagnosed by a full blood count showing platelet counts below the normal reference range. This impacts clotting function.
What does the suffix "-philia" signify?
Enlargement
Attraction or affinity
Deficiency
Formation
The suffix "-philia" means attraction or affinity for something. For example, eosinophilia indicates an increased number of eosinophils. It is the opposite of "-phobia" (fear) or "-penia" (deficiency).
Which term means "enlarged lymph node" based on its suffix?
Lymphadenopathy
Lymphadenitis
Lymphadenomegaly
Lymphangioma
The suffix "-megaly" means enlargement. Thus lymphadenomegaly refers specifically to enlarged lymph nodes. Lymphadenopathy is a broader term meaning any disease of lymph nodes, while lymphadenitis denotes inflammation.
In "lymphadenitis", the suffix "-itis" indicates:
Disease
Enlargement
Tumor
Inflammation
The suffix "-itis" denotes inflammation. Therefore lymphadenitis is inflammation of the lymph nodes. This term is used widely in medical conditions such as tonsillitis or appendicitis.
Which suffix in "lymphangioma" indicates a tumor?
-oma
-lysis
-pathy
-itis
The suffix "-oma" denotes a tumor or neoplasm. In lymphangioma, it specifically refers to a benign tumor of lymphatic vessels. This naming convention applies to many tumor types, such as carcinoma or sarcoma.
The term "normoblast" refers to which characteristic based on its prefix and suffix?
A mature red blood cell
A cell with normal nucleus
A normal immature cell stage
A cell with no nucleus
Normoblasts are intermediate stage red blood cell precursors that have a 'normal' appearance compared to other earlier blast stages. The prefix "normo-" means normal and "-blast" means immature cell. They precede the reticulocyte stage in erythropoiesis.
What process does the suffix "-poiesis" refer to?
Inflammation
Breakdown
Enlargement
Formation or production
The suffix "-poiesis" means formation or production. Hematopoiesis, for instance, is the formation of blood cells. Understanding this suffix is key to recognizing processes like erythropoiesis and leukopoiesis.
In "erythropoiesis", the suffix "-poiesis" signifies:
Enlargement of red cells
Destruction of red cells
Immature red cells
Production of red cells
Erythropoiesis refers specifically to the production of red blood cells, with "erythro-" meaning red and "-poiesis" meaning formation. It occurs primarily in the bone marrow under regulation by erythropoietin.
What does the suffix "-oma" generally denote in medical terms?
Disease
Cell
Tumor
Breakdown
The suffix "-oma" signifies a tumor or neoplasm, benign or malignant. Examples include lymphoma (lymphatic tumor) and melanoma (melanin-producing cell tumor). It's a fundamental suffix in oncology.
Which of these words means "immature bone marrow cell"?
Myeloblast
Myelocyte
Erythrocyte
Leukocyte
A myeloblast is the earliest identifiable precursor in the granulocytic series in bone marrow. The suffix "-blast" indicates its immature status. Myelocytes are more mature stages, while leukocytes and erythrocytes are fully formed cells.
What does the suffix "-lysis" mean?
Destruction or breakdown
Deficiency
Formation
Enlargement
The suffix "-lysis" means breakdown or destruction. Hemolysis, for instance, is the breakdown of red blood cells. It is a key term in pathophysiology.
The term "erythroclasia" uses suffix "-clasia". What does it mean?
Disease
Formation
Breaking or fragmentation
Study of
The suffix "-clasia" refers to breaking or surgical fracture. In hematology, erythroclasia would imply fragmentation or destruction of red blood cells. It appears less commonly but follows the same construction as osteoclasia.
In "lymphadenectomy", the suffix "-ectomy" denotes:
Surgical removal
Tumor
Enlargement
Inflammation
The suffix "-ectomy" means surgical excision or removal. Lymphadenectomy is the removal of lymph nodes. This suffix is used in many surgical procedures like appendectomy or tonsillectomy.
The suffix "-phoresis" in "hemophoresis" means:
Destruction
Formation
Inflammation
Carrying or transmission
"-phoresis" comes from Greek "phorein" meaning to carry. In medical terms it refers to a process of carrying or separating components, such as plasmapheresis. Hemophoresis would similarly involve blood component separation.
The suffix "-gram" in "angiogram" refers to:
Tumor
Inflammation
Cell
Graph or record
The suffix "-gram" indicates a record or image produced by a diagnostic test. An angiogram is an imaging record of blood vessels. Other examples include electrocardiogram and mammogram.
Which term describes an abnormally low level of lymphocytes using the suffix "-penia"?
Lymphocytopenia
Lymphangiectasia
Lymphadenopathy
Lymphangioma
Lymphocytopenia combines "lymphocyte" and "-penia" to mean a deficiency of lymphocytes. It is a critical diagnostic term in immunology. Other conditions have different suffix meanings, like "-ectasia" for dilation.
What does the suffix "-phasia" in "dysphasia" indicate?
Formation
Inflammation
Speaking or language
Breakdown
"-phasia" refers to speech or language function. Dysphasia means impaired speech, as opposed to aphasia which is absence of speech. This suffix is common in neurology.
The suffix "-stasis" in "hemostasis" means:
Destruction
Arrest or control
Flow
Formation
The suffix "-stasis" means stoppage or control. Hemostasis refers to the arrest of bleeding. It is a key concept in clotting physiology.
A "metamyelocyte" differs from a "myeloblast" based on the suffix; what does "-cyte" imply?
Disease
Inflammation
Mature or more differentiated cell
Precursor cell
"-cyte" indicates a cell, often more mature or differentiated compared to a "-blast" precursor. A metamyelocyte is a later stage in granulocyte development than a myeloblast. This distinction is vital in bone marrow morphology.
In "erythroblastosis fetalis", what does the suffix "-osis" signify?
Surgical removal
Normal condition
Tumor
Disease or abnormal condition
"-osis" signifies a disease or abnormal state. Erythroblastosis fetalis is a hemolytic disease of the newborn characterized by immature red cell precursors in fetal circulation. It denotes a pathological condition.
The term "hemoglobinopathy" uses suffix "-pathy". What does it mean?
Disease
Breakdown
Study of
Formation
"-pathy" denotes disease. Hemoglobinopathies are disorders affecting the structure or production of hemoglobin, like sickle cell disease. The suffix helps categorize disease mechanisms.
Which suffix indicates surgical creation of an opening, as in "tracheostomy"?
-otomy
-ostosis
-ectomy
-stomy
"-stomy" refers to creating a mouth or opening, as in tracheostomy (opening into the trachea). "-otomy" means cutting into, while "-ectomy" is removal. This distinction is key in surgical terminology.
The suffix "-trophy" in "hypertrophy" refers to:
Formation
Destruction
Formation of blood cells
Growth
"-trophy" means nourishment or growth. Hypertrophy is the increase in size of cells or organs. It is distinct from hyperplasia, which is an increase in cell number.
In "angiotensin", what does "-gen" imply?
Enlargement
Producing or generating
Breaking
Cell
The suffix "-gen" means producing or causing. Angiotensin is a peptide that generates angio tension and vasoconstriction. It indicates the functional role of the molecule.
The suffix "-clast" in "osteoclast" denotes:
Breaking down
Disease
Cell
Forming
"-clast" means to break down, so osteoclasts are cells that resorb or break down bone. This suffix is used in cell biology to describe cells responsible for degradation.
What does the suffix "-phil" in "eosinophil" indicate?
Attraction to or affinity for
Enlargement
Breakdown
Formation
"-phil" means loving or having an affinity for. Eosinophils stain readily with eosin dye, hence the name. This suffix describes staining or binding properties frequently used in hematology.
Which of these terms refers to surgical incision with suffix "-otomy"?
Appendectomy
Biopsy
Gastrectomy
Craniotomy
"-otomy" means cutting into or incision, as in craniotomy (cutting into the skull). "-ectomy" is removal, while biopsy is tissue sampling. Proper suffix use distinguishes procedure types.
"Erythremia" uses suffix "-emia". What does it denote?
Formation
Condition of the blood
Destruction
Surgical removal
The suffix "-emia" means a condition of the blood. Erythremia indicates an abnormal increase of red blood cells. Polycythemia vera is a related myeloproliferative disorder.
The difference between a "normoblast" and an "erythroblast" is best described by:
Normoblast is a late stage RBC precursor; erythroblast is any immature RBC precursor
Normoblast is same as mature RBC
Erythroblast is a mature RBC
Both terms are interchangeable
Normoblast specifically refers to a late-stage erythroblast just before the reticulocyte stage. Erythroblast can be any immature red cell in earlier phases. This distinction is essential in bone marrow differential counts.
In leukemia classification, suffix "-blast" cells are significant because they:
Represent mature cells
Are only found in lymph tissue
Indicate malignant immature cells
Are non-dividing
Blasts in leukemia denote malignant immature progenitors in bone marrow or blood. Acute leukemias are defined by high blast percentages. Their presence is diagnostic and prognostic.
The suffix "-plasia" in "hyperplasia" indicates:
Death of cells
Formation or growth of cells
Movement of cells
Breakdown of cells
"-plasia" means formation or proliferation of cells. Hyperplasia indicates increased cell number in a tissue. It differs from hypertrophy, which is increase in cell size.
Which suffix in "lymphangiography" refers to imaging?
-blast
-graphy
-oma
-itis
The suffix "-graphy" means the process of recording or imaging. Lymphangiography is an imaging study of lymphatic vessels. It uses contrast to visualize lymph flow.
What does 'lymphoblast' refer to based on its suffix?
Mature lymphocyte
Immature lymphocyte precursor
Tumor cell
Plasma cell
A lymphoblast is an immature precursor in the lymphoid lineage. The suffix "-blast" indicates its early developmental stage. It's a key marker in acute lymphoblastic leukemia.
Which of the following terms indicates destruction of red cells with suffix "-lysis" in a blood context?
Hemostasis
Hematopoiesis
Hematuria
Hemolysis
Hemolysis combines "hemo-" (blood) with "-lysis" (breakdown) and means destruction of red blood cells. Hemostasis is clot formation, and hematopoiesis is blood cell production. Hematuria is blood in urine.
A pathologist notes "blast transformation" in a lymph node biopsy. Which suffix explains this change?
-blast indicating immature proliferating cells
-pathy indicating disease
-cyte indicating cell
-oma indicating tumor
The appearance of "-blast" cells signifies an immature, often malignant, cell proliferation. In lymph node biopsies, finding lymphoblasts suggests acute lymphoblastic leukemia or lymphoma. This suffix is diagnostic for precursor cell populations.
The term "osteoblastoma" has two suffixes. What are they?
-blast and -osis
-blast and -oma
-blast and -cyte
-oma and -itis
In "osteoblastoma," "-blast" indicates immature bone cell and "-oma" indicates a tumor. It's a benign bone tumor arising from osteoblasts. Recognizing dual suffixes helps interpret pathology terms.
In "erythropoietin", the suffix "-in" denotes:
Formation
Hormone or protein
Disease
Cell
The suffix "-in" often indicates a protein or enzyme, such as insulin or erythropoietin. Erythropoietin is a glycoprotein hormone regulating red blood cell production. It is produced by the kidneys.
The suffix "-oid" in "lymphoid" means:
Inflammation
Resembling or like
Formation
Tumor
"-oid" means resembling or like, so "lymphoid" means like lymph or related to lymph tissue. It's used in anatomy to categorize tissues. Other examples include steroid (like steroids).
"Blast crisis" in chronic myeloid leukemia refers to:
Enlargement of lymph nodes
Remission of disease
Formation of blast cells only in spleen
Acute proliferation of immature cells
Blast crisis is the terminal phase of CML characterized by a rapid increase in immature blast cells. This signifies disease acceleration and poor prognosis. It is defined by >20% blasts in blood or marrow.
What does the suffix "-apheresis" in "plasmapheresis" indicate?
Removal or separation
Enlargement
Formation
Destruction
"-apheresis" refers to removal or separation of blood components. Plasmapheresis is the separation and removal of plasma. It's used in treatments for autoimmune disorders.
Which suffix in "lymphangiotome" indicates an instrument?
-scope
-tome
-graph
-meter
"-tome" denotes an instrument for cutting. A lymphangiotome is a device used to cut lymphatic vessels. It's similar to osteotome or dermatome.
In "erythroblastopenia", which two suffixes are present?
-cyte and -penia
-emia and -penia
-blast and -penia
-blast and -cyte
Erythroblastopenia contains "-blast" (immature cell) and "-penia" (deficiency). It means a deficiency of erythroblasts in the bone marrow. The term is used in certain anemias.
The use of suffix "-genesis" in "hematogenesis" describes:
Enlargement of blood cells
Breakdown of blood cells
Origin or formation of blood cells
Study of blood cells
"-genesis" means formation or origin. Hematogenesis therefore is the formation of blood cells. It's synonymous with hematopoiesis.
Which suffix indicates a deficiency that is opposite to "-phil"?
-emia
-penia
-itis
-phobia
"-phil" means love or affinity, so its opposite in hematology is "-penia," meaning deficiency. For example, neutrophilia vs neutropenia. This contrast is critical in blood count interpretation.
The suffix "-plasty" in "angioplasty" means:
Study of vessels
Inflammation
Tumor
Surgical repair or reconstruction
"-plasty" refers to molding or surgical repair of a structure. Angioplasty is the reconstruction of blood vessels, usually with a balloon catheter. It's a key interventional cardiology procedure.
In the term "erythroblastosis", which suffix denotes a process or condition?
-ia
-sis
-osis
-blast
The suffix "-osis" indicates a disease process or abnormal condition. Erythroblastosis describes the condition involving immature red cell precursors. This differs from "-blast" which denotes cell type.
The suffix "-ectomy" originates from which language?
Arabic
Latin
Greek
Hebrew
"-ectomy" comes from the Greek "ektemnein," meaning to cut out. Many surgical suffixes share Greek etymology. Latin has also contributed to medical terminology but not this suffix.
"Microangiopathy" uses suffix "-pathy". What does the prefix and suffix together imply?
Inflammation of small vessels
Formation of small vessels
Enlargement of small vessels
Disease of small vessels
"Micro-" means small and "-pathy" means disease. Microangiopathy refers to pathological changes in small blood vessels often seen in diabetes. Recognizing combined etymology clarifies clinical conditions.
Which suffix indicates stoppage of bleeding and is used in terms like "hemostasis"?
-sis
-stasis
-osis
-stat
"-stasis" means stopping or controlling. Hemostasis is the process of blood clot formation and cessation of bleeding. It is fundamental to hemorrhage control.
The suffix "-blastema" in developmental pathology refers to:
Mature organ
Blood cell
Tumor
Embryonic tissue mass
"-blastema" refers to a mass of cells capable of developing into various tissues, often embryonic. It's used in pathology to describe primitive tissue forms, different from individual precursor cells denoted by "-blast."
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Study Outcomes

  1. Define erythroblast suffix -

    Explain that the suffix "-blast" means an immature or precursor cell, clarifying its significance in the term erythroblast.

  2. Identify lymph node combining form -

    Recognize and recall the combining form "lymphaden/o" as the standard root used for lymph node terminology.

  3. Describe erythroblastosis medical term -

    Characterize erythroblastosis by outlining its definition, pathological basis, and clinical implications in blood disorders.

  4. Explain myelodysplasia definition -

    Define myelodysplasia as a group of disorders marked by abnormal bone marrow cell development and discuss its key features.

  5. Apply blood and lymph system terminology -

    Use accurate terminology when answering quiz questions to reinforce comprehension of blood and lymph system terms.

Cheat Sheet

  1. The suffix in the term erythroblast means "immature cell" -

    The suffix in the term erythroblast means "immature cell," derived from the Greek "blastós" for germ or sprout. Remember "-blast" as a "baby cell" to distinguish it from "-cyte," which denotes mature cells in blood and lymph system terminology.

  2. Combining form for lymph node: lymphaden/o -

    The combining form for lymph node is lymphaden/o, used to build words like lymphadenopathy (disease of lymph nodes) and lymphadenectomy (surgical removal of nodes). A quick mnemonic is "aden" sounds like "a den" where cells hang out, helping you recall its link to lymph nodes.

  3. Erythroblastosis medical term: hemolytic newborn anemia -

    Erythroblastosis, most commonly erythroblastosis fetalis, describes severe hemolytic anemia in a fetus when maternal antibodies attack fetal red cell precursors. Key fact: it's often prevented today by Rh immunoglobulin prophylaxis, as outlined by MedlinePlus and the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists.

  4. Myelodysplasia definition: faulty bone marrow development -

    Myelodysplasia refers to a group of disorders in which bone marrow cells develop abnormally, leading to blood cytopenias and risk of progression to acute leukemia. A handy breakdown: "myelo-" = marrow, "dys-" = bad, and "-plasia" = formation (Source: WHO Classification of Tumours of Haematopoietic and Lymphoid Tissues).

  5. Essential blood and lymph system terminology: cell types & fluids -

    Review the main components - erythrocytes, leukocytes, platelets, plasma, and lymph - to master core blood and lymph system terminology; use "Never Let Monkeys Eat Bananas" to recall neutrophils, lymphocytes, monocytes, eosinophils, basophils. Understanding the flow of plasma via lymphatics back into the bloodstream is crucial for grasping fluid balance concepts in physiology.

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