The prefix 'hypo-' means what?

The prefix 'hypo-' means "under" or "below." It is commonly used in medical terminology to describe conditions that are less than normal or below a certain level. For example, "hypotension" refers to low blood pressure, while "hypoglycemia" refers to low blood sugar levels. Understanding this prefix is crucial for accurately interpreting medical terms and conditions, as it sets the context for the level of severity or the degree of deficiency being described. This term contrasts with other prefixes; for instance, "hyper-" means "above" or "excessive," while "normal" and "between" do not accurately describe the same concept as "hypo-."