What does the prefix exo- indicate in medical terminology?

Dive into medical terminology with The Pitt Medical Terminology Test. Enhance your learning using flashcards and multiple choice questions. Prepare for your exam confidently with detailed hints and explanations.

Multiple Choice

What does the prefix exo- indicate in medical terminology?

Explanation:
The prefix exo- means outside or external. It is used when describing something that lies on the outside of another structure or originates from outside the body. For example, exoskeleton refers to an outer skeleton, exocrine glands release substances onto surfaces outside or into ducts, and extracellular fluid is the fluid outside cells. This differs from endo- or intra- for inside or within, and from retro- or posterior for behind, or hyper- for above normal or excessive. So outside is the best interpretation of exo-.

The prefix exo- means outside or external. It is used when describing something that lies on the outside of another structure or originates from outside the body. For example, exoskeleton refers to an outer skeleton, exocrine glands release substances onto surfaces outside or into ducts, and extracellular fluid is the fluid outside cells. This differs from endo- or intra- for inside or within, and from retro- or posterior for behind, or hyper- for above normal or excessive. So outside is the best interpretation of exo-.

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