Which prefix would you use to refer to "none" in medical terminology?

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Study for the Rutgers Medical Terminology Exam, featuring multiple choice questions and detailed explanations to boost your understanding. Prepare confidently to ace your exam!

In medical terminology, the prefix that specifically denotes "none" is "nulli-." This prefix is derived from Latin, where "nullus" means "not any" or "none." It is commonly used in various medical terms to indicate the absence of something. For example, in obstetrics, "nulliparous" refers to a woman who has never given birth, emphasizing the lack of any childbirth experience.

The other prefixes provided do not convey the same meaning. "Primi-" refers to the first instance or first in a series, often used in terms like "primigravida," which designates a woman who is pregnant for the first time. "Pan-" means "all" or "every," as seen in terms like "pancreatitis," which refers to inflammation of the pancreas. Lastly, "non-" translates to "not" or "without," but it does not specifically denote the absence of something in the same definitive sense as "nulli-." Therefore, in the context of identifying a prefix that indicates "none," "nulli-" is the most precise choice.

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