What does the prefix "Py-" indicate in medical terms?

Prepare for the HOSA Medical Terminology Test. Enhance your skills with prefixes and suffixes through flashcards and multiple choice questions. Learn with hints and explanations to boost your medical terminology knowledge for the exam.

The prefix "Py-" is a medical term derived from the Greek word "pur," which means pus. In medical terminology, this prefix is often associated with conditions or diseases where pus is a significant component, such as in examples like "pyorrhea," which refers to the discharge of pus from the gums during periodontal disease. The presence of this prefix typically indicates an inflammatory response that leads to the formation of pus, often due to infection. Thus, when encountering "Py-" in medical terms, it consistently conveys the context of pus involvement, clarifying its specific role in the medical diagnosis or condition being described.

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