Which prefix–definition pair correctly matches the prefixes arterio and athero?

• A. Arterio: plaque; Athero: hardening
• B. Arterio: hardening; Athero: plaque
• C. Arterio: dilation; Athero: inflammation
• D. Arterio: clotting; Athero: bleeding

Answer: (B)

Arterio- and athero- describe changes related to arteries. Arterio- is linked to the arteries themselves and, in terms of common medical terms, pairs with hardening when you hear arteriosclerosis (the arteries become stiff and less compliant). Athero- refers to fatty plaque buildup inside arteries, as in atherosclerosis, where plaques accumulate and narrow or obstruct the vessels. So the pairing arterio with hardening and athero with plaque fits how these prefixes are used in practice.

That’s why this option is the best: it aligns with how these prefixes appear in the standard terms you’ll encounter, such as arteriosclerosis and atherosclerosis. Other pairings would mismatch what the prefixes denote—for example, dilation or inflammation aren’t inherent meanings of these prefixes, and clotting or bleeding aren’t described by arterio- or athero-.