What does the prefix "ab-" signify in medical terms?

The prefix "ab-" in medical terminology is derived from Latin, meaning "away from." This prefix is commonly used in various medical terms to indicate movement away from a particular structure or position in the body. For example, "abduction" refers to the movement of a body part away from the midline of the body. Understanding this prefix helps in deciphering the meaning of terms and provides clarity in medical contexts, such as anatomy or pathology. While there are other prefixes with different meanings, understanding "ab-" as indicating a directionality away from an origin is fundamental in medical language.