CPB Certified Professional Biller Certification Practice Exam

Which prefix means 'crooked' or 'bent' in medical terms?

1. anti-

2. ankyl-

3. bi-

4. brachy-

The correct answer is: ankyl-

The prefix that means 'crooked' or 'bent' in medical terminology is indeed the one referring to ankyl-, which is derived from the Greek word "ankylos," meaning bent or crooked. This term is often used in medical contexts to describe conditions where joints are stiff or improperly angled, such as ankylosing spondylitis, a type of arthritis that can cause the spine to fuse in a bent position. In contrast, the other prefixes provided do not convey the meaning of 'crooked' or 'bent.' For example, anti- typically means 'against', bi- refers to 'two', and brachy- means 'short'. Hence, those prefixes do not align with the concept of curvature or bending.