10 of the Most Complicated, Confusing Medical Terms Explained

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Last Updated on January 7, 2021

#9 – “Epi-”

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Most of the examples including “Epi-” are treatments. This prefix means that something is being upon or on. For instance, an epidural (injection of a numbing medicine to desensitize nerves) is often carried out on women giving birth.

In this treatment, they deaden the nerves that carry signals from the uterus to the brain before they reach the brain, and thus, provide pain relief, allowing the woman to stay awake during labor. It should be noted that Epinephrine injection is not an example of this prefix. In this case, the hormone epinephrine (or adrenaline) is concentrated.