CPB Certified Professional Biller Certification Practice Exam

What does the prefix 'infra-' primarily indicate?

1. Above

2. Below

3. In

4. Excessive

The correct answer is: Below

The prefix 'infra-' is derived from Latin, meaning 'below' or 'beneath.' In medical terminology, it is commonly used to describe structures that are located beneath a certain point in the body. For instance, the term 'infrastructure' refers to underlying structures supporting a system. This understanding is crucial when interpreting medical reports or documentation because it helps to clarify the location of anatomical structures in relation to each other. In contrast, the other prefixes do not align with this definition: a prefix indicating 'above' would be 'supra-,' 'in' might refer to internal or local positioning without a specific spatial orientation, and 'excessive' does not have a direct correlation to spatial relationships. Understanding prefixes like 'infra-' is vital for accurate communication in healthcare and billing practices.