Which form denotes the stomach?

• A. Gluc(o)
• B. Glycol-
• C. Gloss(o)
• D. Gastr(o)

Answer: (D)

Understanding how medical terms name parts of the body starts with recognizing the combining forms. The form that denotes the stomach is gastr/o-, coming from the Greek gastros meaning stomach. This combining form is used in terms like gastritis (inflammation of the stomach) and gastric/gastro- (as in gastroenterology), showing its direct link to the stomach.

The other forms point to different things. Gluc(o)- relates to sugar (as in glucose); glycol- also ties to sugar or glycolysis; gloss(o)- refers to the tongue or language (as in glossitis or glossary). Because of these distinct meanings, gastr/o is the correct form for the stomach.