The word root referring to the milk-producing glands
a. colp
b. cervic
c. hyster
d. mast
The correct answer and explanation is:
The correct answer is d. mast.
The word root mast refers to the milk-producing glands. This term is derived from the Greek word mastos, meaning “breast” or “udder.” The mast is specifically used in medical terminology related to the breast, such as in mastitis, which is an infection or inflammation of the breast tissue, or mastectomy, which refers to the surgical removal of the breast.
The other options are related to different parts of the body:
- a. colp refers to the vagina. It comes from the Greek word kolpos, meaning “hollow” or “womb.” It is used in terms like colposcopy, which is a procedure to examine the cervix, vagina, and vulva.
- b. cervic refers to the cervix, which is the lower part of the uterus. The term comes from the Latin word cervix, meaning “neck,” since the cervix is a neck-like structure that connects the uterus to the vagina. It is used in terms like cervicitis, which is inflammation of the cervix.
- c. hyster refers to the uterus. It comes from the Greek word hystera, meaning “womb.” It is found in terms such as hysterectomy, which is the surgical removal of the uterus.
The term mast is primarily used in medical fields relating to breast health, such as in mammography, a diagnostic imaging technique used to examine the breast for abnormalities, or mastopathy, which refers to benign changes in the breast tissue. It is also present in biological terms related to lactation, like in mammals where mammary glands are involved in milk production. This word root is crucial in understanding conditions or procedures associated with the breast and its function.