What is the meaning of the root stoma (stomat/o)?

• A. Mouth or Oral Cavity
• B. Beneath or Below
• C. Above or Beyond
• D. Rapid or Fast

Answer: (A)

Stomat/o refers to the mouth or oral cavity. This root appears in terms about the mouth, such as stomatitis (inflammation of the mouth) and stomatology (the study of the mouth), so it directly means the mouth. The other ideas describe different concepts: beneath or below relates to position (sub- or hypo-), above or beyond relates to a superior position or excess (super- or epi-), and rapid or fast uses tachy- or related speed roots. Knowing stomat/o is about the mouth helps you recognize terms you’ll see in anatomy and medical terminology.