Which combining form pertains to calcium or lime?

• A. Carcin/o
• B. Chondr/o
• C. Calc/i
• D. Eti/o

Answer: (C)

The combining form calc/i- (also seen as calci-) comes from Latin calx, meaning lime, and by extension refers to calcium. It’s used in medical terms that talk about calcium or lime deposits, such as calcification (the deposition of calcium) and calcified (containing calcium). That connection to calcium is what makes it the right choice for “calcium or lime.” The other roots—carcin/o (cancer), chondr/o (cartilage), eti/o (cause)—refer to entirely different concepts and don’t pertain to calcium.