The suffix -emia indicates a condition of which substance?

The suffix -emia indicates a condition of which substance?

• A. Heart
• B. Blood
• C. Liver
• D. Muscle

Answer: (B)

The suffix -emia signals a condition of the blood. It comes from a root meaning blood and attaches to various bases to describe what’s happening in the bloodstream. For example, anemia describes a deficiency of healthy red blood cells or hemoglobin; bacteremia means bacteria are present in the blood; hyperemia refers to increased blood flow to a tissue; polycythemia is an excess of red blood cells. Because -emia denotes a blood-related state, it points to blood rather than to a specific organ like the heart, liver, or muscles (which use different roots such as cardio-, hepatic-, or myo-). So the substance involved is blood.

The suffix -emia signals a condition of the blood. It comes from a root meaning blood and attaches to various bases to describe what’s happening in the bloodstream. For example, anemia describes a deficiency of healthy red blood cells or hemoglobin; bacteremia means bacteria are present in the blood; hyperemia refers to increased blood flow to a tissue; polycythemia is an excess of red blood cells. Because -emia denotes a blood-related state, it points to blood rather than to a specific organ like the heart, liver, or muscles (which use different roots such as cardio-, hepatic-, or myo-). So the substance involved is blood.