Which combining form means pertaining to the skin?

• A. gastr/o
• B. cutane/o
• C. dermat/o
• D. scler/o

Answer: (B)

The concept here is forming adjectives that describe a location or relation. Cutane/o is the combining form for skin, and when you attach the suffix -ous you get cutaneous, which directly means pertaining to the skin. That direct link between the combining form (cutane/o) and the adjective (cutaneous) makes it the best match for “pertaining to the skin.” Dermat/o also relates to skin (as in dermatologist or dermatology), but the more straightforward adjective form denoting “pertaining to the skin” comes from cutane/o + -ous. Gastr/o and scler/o refer to the stomach and hardening, respectively, so they don’t fit.