Which term would be used to describe a condition of muscle weakness?

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 describes a condition of muscle weakness is rooted in the suffix "-asthenia." This suffix specifically relates to a lack of strength or weakness in muscles, making it appropriate for the context of muscle weakness.

In medical terminology, "-asthenia" is commonly used in terms such as myasthenia, which refers to muscle weakness due to various underlying conditions. When you see this suffix in a word, it signals that the focus is on weakness, particularly regarding muscular or physical strength.

The other suffixes pertain to different conditions. For example, "-penia" typically indicates a deficiency or reduction, commonly used in terms like leukopenia (a reduction in white blood cells), while "-plegia" refers to paralysis, as seen in terms like paraplegia (paralysis of the lower half of the body). On the other hand, "-algia" denotes pain, as in neuralgia (nerve pain). Understanding these distinctions is important when interpreting medical terminology accurately.

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