In a term for the tongue root, which root is used?

In a term for the tongue root, which root is used?

• A. lingu
• B. lip
• C. neuro
• D. jejun

Answer: (A)

The root used for the tongue is lingu-. In medical terminology, parts of the body are named with combining forms that come from Latin or Greek. For the tongue, lingu- (from lingua, meaning tongue) is the form that appears in terms describing tongue-related structures, like lingual or linguiform. The other roots point to very different structures: lip would use labio- or cheilo-, neuro- relates to nerves, and jejun- to the jejunum in the small intestine. So lingu- is the appropriate root to express anything about the tongue.

The root used for the tongue is lingu-. In medical terminology, parts of the body are named with combining forms that come from Latin or Greek. For the tongue, lingu- (from lingua, meaning tongue) is the form that appears in terms describing tongue-related structures, like lingual or linguiform. The other roots point to very different structures: lip would use labio- or cheilo-, neuro- relates to nerves, and jejun- to the jejunum in the small intestine. So lingu- is the appropriate root to express anything about the tongue.