The prefix Ophthalam- means which of the following?

The prefix Ophthalam- means which of the following?

• A. Skull
• B. Observe
• C. Eye
• D. Pain

Answer: (C)

Understanding prefixes helps you spot what part of the body is involved. Ophthalam- (often seen as ophthalm-) comes from Greek ophthalmos, meaning the eye. That’s why terms built with this prefix—like ophthalmology or ophthalmic—relate to the eye. The other ideas don’t fit: skull would use a different prefix (crani-), observing is about seeing in general but isn’t tied to this prefix, and pain uses a different root (like -algia or odyn-). So the best meaning for this prefix is the eye.

Understanding prefixes helps you spot what part of the body is involved. Ophthalam- (often seen as ophthalm-) comes from Greek ophthalmos, meaning the eye. That’s why terms built with this prefix—like ophthalmology or ophthalmic—relate to the eye. The other ideas don’t fit: skull would use a different prefix (crani-), observing is about seeing in general but isn’t tied to this prefix, and pain uses a different root (like -algia or odyn-). So the best meaning for this prefix is the eye.