Which term means "pain" in medical terminology?

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 term that denotes "pain" in medical terminology is indeed represented by the suffix "-algia." This suffix is derived from the Greek word "algos," which means pain. It is commonly used in various medical terms to indicate discomfort or pain associated with a specific body part or system. For example, "neuralgia" refers to pain along the course of a nerve, while "fibromyalgia" signifies pain in the musculoskeletal system along with fatigue and other symptoms.

The other options, while related to different medical concepts, do not refer to pain:

  • "-lepsy" relates to seizures or convulsions, commonly seen in terms like "epilepsy."

  • "-emia" pertains to blood conditions, as seen in terms like "anemia," which describes a deficiency of red blood cells.

  • "-itis" indicates inflammation, such as in "arthritis," which means inflammation of the joints.

Thus, "-algia" is the correct suffix that directly communicates the concept of pain in medical terminology.

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