What does the prefix CIRCUM- mean?

Study for the AMCI Introduction to Medical Terminology Test. Prepare with multiple choice questions, flashcards, hints, and explanations. Enhance your knowledge and get ready for your exam!

Multiple Choice

What does the prefix CIRCUM- mean?

Explanation:
CIRCUM- means around. It’s used in medical terms to indicate something that surrounds or encircles another structure. For example, circumference is the distance around a circle, circumscribed describes something drawn around a boundary, and circumcision refers to cutting around the foreskin. By comparison, terms for inside use intra- or endo-, for outside use ecto- or extra-, and for between use inter-. So the prefix signals around rather than inside, outside, or between.

CIRCUM- means around. It’s used in medical terms to indicate something that surrounds or encircles another structure. For example, circumference is the distance around a circle, circumscribed describes something drawn around a boundary, and circumcision refers to cutting around the foreskin. By comparison, terms for inside use intra- or endo-, for outside use ecto- or extra-, and for between use inter-. So the prefix signals around rather than inside, outside, or between.

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