WGU C804 Medical Terminology &
Anatomy: Complete 100-Question
Practice Exam (2026/2027 Academic
Year) verified questions and answers
Covering Four Core Domains | latest!!
Section 1: Word Elements & Building Medical Terms
Q1: The foundation of a medical term is called the:
• A) Prefix
• B) Root
• C) Suffix
• D) Combining vowel
Correct answer: B) Root
Rationale: The root is the foundation of a medical term and contains the basic
meaning of the word. It is the core element to which prefixes and suffixes are added.
Q2: Identify and define the four elements used to build a medical term.
• A) Root, prefix, suffix, combining vowel
• B) Root, combining form, prefix, suffix
• C) Word root, combining vowel, prefix, suffix
• D) All of the above
Correct answer: D) All of the above
Rationale: The four elements used to build medical terms are: prefix, suffix, word
root, and combining vowel. These elements combine in various ways to create
thousands of medical terms.
Q3: A combining vowel allows two or more of these to be connected as one
word:
• A) Prefixes
• B) Suffixes
• C) Elements
• D) Roots
,Correct answer: C) Elements
Rationale: A combining vowel (usually "o") allows two or more word elements to be
connected into one word. Common examples include "cardi/o" (heart) and "gastr/o"
(stomach).
Q4: The suffix "-logist" means:
• A) Study of
• B) Specialist in the study of
• C) Inflammation
• D) Tumor
Correct answer: B) Specialist in the study of
Rationale: The suffix -logist means "specialist in the study of," while "-logy" means
the "study of".
Section 2: Body Structure & Directional Terminology
Q5: The term "ventr/o" means:
• A) Back
• B) Front, belly side
• C) Side
• D) Head
Correct answer: B) Front, belly side
Rationale: Ventr/o refers to the belly or front side of the body. This is in contrast to
"dors/o," which means back.
Q6: The anatomical position is described as:
• Correct answer: To stand erect with arms at the sides and palms of the hands
turned forward.
Q7: An imaginary plane where the body is cut into front and back parts is
called:
• A) Sagittal plane
• B) Transverse plane
• C) Coronal plane
• D) Dorsal plane
Correct answer: C) Coronal plane
Rationale: The coronal plane (also called the frontal plane) divides the body into
anterior (front) and posterior (back) sections.
, Q8: The body cavity composed of the cranial and spinal cavities is the:
• A) Ventral cavity
• B) Thoracic cavity
• C) Dorsal cavity
• D) Abdominopelvic cavity
Correct answer: C) Dorsal cavity
Rationale: The dorsal cavity is a continuous space located on the posterior side of
the body. It is subdivided into the cranial cavity (which contains the brain) and the
spinal cavity (which contains the spinal cord).
Section 3: Body Systems Terminology
Q9: The term "chondr/o" refers to:
• A) Cell
• B) Cartilage
• C) Tissue
• D) Nucleus
Correct answer: B) Cartilage
Rationale: The combining form chondr/o means cartilage.
Q10: The prefix "brady-" means:
• A) Rapid
• B) Slow
• C) Heavy
• D) Hard
Correct answer: B) Slow
Rationale: The prefix brady- means "slow." This is used in terms like bradycardia
(slow heart rate). Its opposite is "tachy-," which means rapid.
Q11: A degenerative disorder that can cause the loss of normal spinal structure
and function is:
• A) Spondylosis
• B) Spina bifida
• C) Arthritis
• D) Osteoporosis
Correct answer: A) Spondylosis
Rationale: Spondylosis refers to an abnormal condition of the vertebrae
Anatomy: Complete 100-Question
Practice Exam (2026/2027 Academic
Year) verified questions and answers
Covering Four Core Domains | latest!!
Section 1: Word Elements & Building Medical Terms
Q1: The foundation of a medical term is called the:
• A) Prefix
• B) Root
• C) Suffix
• D) Combining vowel
Correct answer: B) Root
Rationale: The root is the foundation of a medical term and contains the basic
meaning of the word. It is the core element to which prefixes and suffixes are added.
Q2: Identify and define the four elements used to build a medical term.
• A) Root, prefix, suffix, combining vowel
• B) Root, combining form, prefix, suffix
• C) Word root, combining vowel, prefix, suffix
• D) All of the above
Correct answer: D) All of the above
Rationale: The four elements used to build medical terms are: prefix, suffix, word
root, and combining vowel. These elements combine in various ways to create
thousands of medical terms.
Q3: A combining vowel allows two or more of these to be connected as one
word:
• A) Prefixes
• B) Suffixes
• C) Elements
• D) Roots
,Correct answer: C) Elements
Rationale: A combining vowel (usually "o") allows two or more word elements to be
connected into one word. Common examples include "cardi/o" (heart) and "gastr/o"
(stomach).
Q4: The suffix "-logist" means:
• A) Study of
• B) Specialist in the study of
• C) Inflammation
• D) Tumor
Correct answer: B) Specialist in the study of
Rationale: The suffix -logist means "specialist in the study of," while "-logy" means
the "study of".
Section 2: Body Structure & Directional Terminology
Q5: The term "ventr/o" means:
• A) Back
• B) Front, belly side
• C) Side
• D) Head
Correct answer: B) Front, belly side
Rationale: Ventr/o refers to the belly or front side of the body. This is in contrast to
"dors/o," which means back.
Q6: The anatomical position is described as:
• Correct answer: To stand erect with arms at the sides and palms of the hands
turned forward.
Q7: An imaginary plane where the body is cut into front and back parts is
called:
• A) Sagittal plane
• B) Transverse plane
• C) Coronal plane
• D) Dorsal plane
Correct answer: C) Coronal plane
Rationale: The coronal plane (also called the frontal plane) divides the body into
anterior (front) and posterior (back) sections.
, Q8: The body cavity composed of the cranial and spinal cavities is the:
• A) Ventral cavity
• B) Thoracic cavity
• C) Dorsal cavity
• D) Abdominopelvic cavity
Correct answer: C) Dorsal cavity
Rationale: The dorsal cavity is a continuous space located on the posterior side of
the body. It is subdivided into the cranial cavity (which contains the brain) and the
spinal cavity (which contains the spinal cord).
Section 3: Body Systems Terminology
Q9: The term "chondr/o" refers to:
• A) Cell
• B) Cartilage
• C) Tissue
• D) Nucleus
Correct answer: B) Cartilage
Rationale: The combining form chondr/o means cartilage.
Q10: The prefix "brady-" means:
• A) Rapid
• B) Slow
• C) Heavy
• D) Hard
Correct answer: B) Slow
Rationale: The prefix brady- means "slow." This is used in terms like bradycardia
(slow heart rate). Its opposite is "tachy-," which means rapid.
Q11: A degenerative disorder that can cause the loss of normal spinal structure
and function is:
• A) Spondylosis
• B) Spina bifida
• C) Arthritis
• D) Osteoporosis
Correct answer: A) Spondylosis
Rationale: Spondylosis refers to an abnormal condition of the vertebrae