CPB Certified Professional Biller Certification Practice Exam

Which prefix signifies 'short' in medical language?

1. anti-

2. brachy-

3. micro-

4. dys-

The correct answer is: brachy-

The prefix that signifies 'short' in medical terminology is 'brachy-.' This prefix is derived from the Greek word "brachys," which means short or small. In various medical terms, it conveys the concept of brevity or a reduced length. For example, the term "brachycardia" refers to an abnormally slow heart rate, indicating a shortening of the heart rate. Understanding this prefix is important as it helps in accurately interpreting related medical conditions and terms. The other prefixes have distinct meanings: 'anti-' means against or opposed to, 'micro-' signifies small or minute, and 'dys-' indicates difficulty or impairment. Each serves a different purpose in medical language and does not relate to the concept of being 'short.'