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The combining form -penia is used like a suffix meaning “lack” or “deficiency.” It is often used in medical terms.

The combining form -penia is ultimately based on the Greek ����í��, meaning “poverty” or “need.” The word penury, meaning “extreme poverty,” is related. Discover how at our entry for penury.

The medical term leukopenia, meaning “the decrease in the number of white blood cells in the blood,” is an example of a word that features the form –penia.

The first part of the word, leuko–, means “white” and is used to refer to white blood cells. The form –penia means “deficiency,” as we’ve seen. So, leukopenia literally translates to “lack of white blood cells.”

What are some words that use the combining form -penia?

• glycopenia
• kaliopenia
• leucopenia (chiefly British English spelling of leukopenia)

What are some other forms that -penia may be commonly confused with?

• -opia
• pene-

The combining form osteo- means “bone.” With this in mind, what would you say the condition of osteopenia involves?