CPB Certified Professional Biller Certification Practice Exam

Which root denotes the term related to 'half'?

1. Hemo-

2. Hepato-

3. Hemi-

4. Hemo-

The correct answer is: Hemi-

The root that denotes the term related to 'half' is "hemi-". This prefix comes from the Greek word "hēmi," meaning "half" or "partial." It is commonly used in various medical and scientific terms to indicate that something is divided into two equal parts or is just a portion of a whole. For example, "hemisphere" refers to half of a spherical object, such as the Earth or a brain. Understanding this root is crucial for interpreting medical terminology where division or partiality plays a role in the description of conditions or anatomy. The other options correlate with entirely different meanings: "hemo-" relates to blood, "hepato-" pertains to the liver, and the repeated "hemo-" is redundant in this context, as it has the same meaning as the first. Thus, "hemi-" stands out as the correct choice for indicating 'half.'