lacrim(o) is associated with which bodily substance?

• A. Yellow
• B. Milk
• C. Cornea (eye) or hard tissue
• D. Tear (as in the eyes)

Answer: (D)

Lacr(im)o ties directly to tears. The root lacrima means tear in Latin, so terms built with lacrim(o) refer to tears and the tear-producing structures, like the lacrimal glands and the tear film that coats and protects the eye. Tears lubricate the eye, wash away debris, and contain antimicrobial components. That’s why this root points to the tear substance rather than yellow (which would come from a root like icter/o or xantho-), milk (lact/o or galact/o), or the cornea/hard tissues (kerat- or osteo-/oss-).