American Academy of Professional Coders (AAPC) Practice Exam

What does the suffix -pexy indicate in medical terms?

1. Instrumentation for examination

2. Surgical fixation

3. Reconstruction

4. Examination of

The correct answer is: Surgical fixation

The suffix -pexy is derived from the Greek word "pexein," meaning to fasten or fix. In medical terminology, -pexy specifically refers to surgical fixation, a procedure where an organ or tissue is secured or anchored in place. This can be observed in various terms such as 'hysteropexy' (fixation of the uterus) or 'nephropexy' (fixation of the kidney), indicating that it involves stabilizing these structures within the body. Instrumentation for examination, reconstruction, and examination of pertain to different medical procedures and contexts. However, they do not convey the specific meaning of securing or fixing an anatomical structure, which is why they are not aligned with the definition associated with the suffix -pexy. The clarity of meaning and focus on surgical fixation makes the chosen answer the most accurate in the context of medical terminology.