The prefixes “aer-” or “aero-” in medicine refer to air or the respiratory system. These prefixes are commonly used to form medical terms related to breathing, the lungs, and airways. Some examples include:
- Aerobic: Refers to an organism, cell, or tissue that requires oxygen to survive or function properly.
- Aerosol: A suspension of small particles in the air, often used for medication delivery through inhalation.
- Aerophagia: The swallowing of air, which can cause excessive belching or flatulence.
- Aerophonia: An abnormal change in the sound of the voice due to air passing through an obstruction in the respiratory system.
- Aerobic exercise: Physical activity that requires oxygen to produce energy and improve cardiovascular health.
Other examples of medical terms with these prefixes include aerodigestive, aerocolpos, aeromassage, and aerophthalmia.