The combining form hyster/o refers to which body part?

The combining form hyster/o refers to which body part?

• A. Brain
• B. Heart
• C. Groin
• D. Uterus

Answer: (D)

In medical terminology, combining forms indicate a specific body part. Hyster/o denotes the uterus. That’s why terms built with this form refer to the uterus—think of hysterectomy (removal of the uterus) or hysteroscopy (examination of the uterine cavity). For contrast, brain would use cerebr/o or encephal/o, the heart would use cardi/o, and the groin would use inguin/o, so hyster/o clearly points to the uterus. The root comes from the Greek hystera meaning uterus, which explains the association.

In medical terminology, combining forms indicate a specific body part. Hyster/o denotes the uterus. That’s why terms built with this form refer to the uterus—think of hysterectomy (removal of the uterus) or hysteroscopy (examination of the uterine cavity). For contrast, brain would use cerebr/o or encephal/o, the heart would use cardi/o, and the groin would use inguin/o, so hyster/o clearly points to the uterus. The root comes from the Greek hystera meaning uterus, which explains the association.