Vesicles due to retention of sweat; sweat glands are referred to by which combining form?

• A. Lacrim/o
• B. Dips/o
• C. Hidr/o
• D. Lingu/o

Answer: (C)

Sweat glands are described using the combining form that means sweat. In medical terminology, hidr/o (from Greek hidros) is used to refer to sweat and its glands. That is why terms involving sweat glands—such as hidradenitis (inflammation of sweat glands) or hidrocyst (a cyst arising from a sweat gland)—use this root. The option that means tears (lacrim/o), thirst (dips/o), or tongue (lingu/o) doesn’t apply to sweat glands. Vesicles formed by retention of sweat align with the sweat-gland root hidr/o, making it the correct choice.