What does the prefix hypo- mean, and provide an example term using it?

• A. Above/ excessive; hypertension (high blood pressure)
• B. Below/ deficient; hypotension (low blood pressure)
• C. Between/ around; intercostal
• D. Behind/ backward; pericarditis

Answer: (B)

Hypo- signals that something is below normal or deficient. When placed with blood pressure, it forms hypotension, meaning blood pressure that is lower than normal. The opposite prefix, hyper-, would give hypertension, which means high blood pressure. Other terms use different prefixes: inter- means between, as in intercostal (between the ribs); peri- means around, as in pericarditis (inflammation around the heart). Hence hypo- correctly conveys “below/deficient,” with hypotension as the example.