Which prefix indicates a condition of being below normal?

Which prefix indicates a condition of being below normal?

• A. Hyper-
• B. Hypo-
• C. Epi-
• D. Endo-

Answer: (B)

The prefix that indicates a condition of being below normal is "hypo-." This prefix comes from Greek origin, where "hypo-" means "under" or "below." In medical terminology, it is often used to describe conditions where there is a deficiency or the level of a substance is lower than what is considered normal. For instance, "hypoglycemia" refers to low blood sugar levels. In contrast, "hyper-" denotes an excess or elevated condition, as seen in terms like "hyperglycemia," which refers to high blood sugar. "Epi-" relates to something that is above or upon, such as "epidermis," which is the outer layer of skin. "Endo-" signifies something that is within or inside, such as "endoscopy," which involves examining the interior of a hollow organ. Understanding these prefixes helps in accurately interpreting and using medical terminology.

The prefix that indicates a condition of being below normal is "hypo-." This prefix comes from Greek origin, where "hypo-" means "under" or "below." In medical terminology, it is often used to describe conditions where there is a deficiency or the level of a substance is lower than what is considered normal. For instance, "hypoglycemia" refers to low blood sugar levels.

In contrast, "hyper-" denotes an excess or elevated condition, as seen in terms like "hyperglycemia," which refers to high blood sugar. "Epi-" relates to something that is above or upon, such as "epidermis," which is the outer layer of skin. "Endo-" signifies something that is within or inside, such as "endoscopy," which involves examining the interior of a hollow organ. Understanding these prefixes helps in accurately interpreting and using medical terminology.