What does the prefix hyper- indicate in medical terminology?

What does the prefix hyper- indicate in medical terminology?

• A. Above normal or excessive
• B. Below normal or deficient
• C. Upon or above
• D. Across or through

Answer: (D)

Hyper- signals that something is above normal or excessive. It comes from Greek and shows up in terms like hyperglycemia (high blood sugar), hypertension (high blood pressure), hyperthermia (abnormally high body temperature), and hyperactivity (excessive activity). This prefix contrasts with hypo-, which means below normal or deficient. It’s distinct from prefixes that mean across or through (trans-) or upon/over (epi-). So the idea conveyed by hyper- is clearly above-normal or excessive, not across or through.

Hyper- signals that something is above normal or excessive. It comes from Greek and shows up in terms like hyperglycemia (high blood sugar), hypertension (high blood pressure), hyperthermia (abnormally high body temperature), and hyperactivity (excessive activity). This prefix contrasts with hypo-, which means below normal or deficient. It’s distinct from prefixes that mean across or through (trans-) or upon/over (epi-). So the idea conveyed by hyper- is clearly above-normal or excessive, not across or through.