Common Word Roots for Cells & Tissues

Taking this quiz will allow you to learn some of the common word roots and combining forms related to the cells and tissues.

Quick Review for the Quiz

Check out the flashcard version for a more detailed review.

Word Root Combining Form Body Part or Condition
aden aden/o gland
cyt cyt/o cell
fibr fibr/o fiber
hist, histi hist/o, histi/o tissue
morph morph/o form
myx, muc myx/o, muc/o mucus
nucle, kary nucle/o, kary/o nucleus
papill papill/o nipple like
reticul reticul/o network
somat somat/o body

  • Question of

    Find the combining form.

    • aden/o
    • hist/o
    • reticul/o
    • myx/o

    Correct Wrong

    Aden/o is the combining form for "gland". A gland is an organ that produces hormones, digestive juices and other bodily fluids like sweat, tears, saliva and milk.

  • Question of

    Find the combining form.

    • cyt/o
    • reticul/o
    • papill/o
    • muc/o

    Correct Wrong

    Cyt/o is the combining form for "cell". A cell is the basic structural and functional unit of all living organisms that can function on its own. Cells make up all living organisms and tissues in the body.

  • Question of

    Find the combining form.

    • fibr/o
    • cyt/o
    • myx/o
    • nucle/o

    Correct Wrong

    Fibr/o is the combining form for "fiber". Fiber can be characterized as any elongated, thread-like structure.

  • Question of

    Find the combining form.

    • hist/o or histi/o
    • myx/o or muc/o
    • morph/o
    • fibr/o

    Correct Wrong

    Hist/o or histi/o is the combining form for "tissue". A tissue is a collection of cells that share the same structure and function as one entity. Four types of tissue are defined by their structure and function: epithelial, connective, muscular, and nervous.

  • Question of

    Find the combining form.

    • morph/o
    • somat/o
    • reticul/o
    • muc/o

    Correct Wrong

    Morph/o is the combining form for "form". A form is a shape, outline, or configuration of something.

  • Question of

    Find the combining form.

    • myx/o
    • morph/o
    • kary/o
    • cyt/o

    Correct Wrong

    Myx/o or muc/o is the combining form for "mucus". Mucus is a thick, sticky fluid produced by the membranes that line certain body parts, like the nose, mouth, throat, and vagina.

  • Question of

    Find the combining form.

    • kary/o
    • fibr/o
    • histi/o
    • somat/o

    Correct Wrong

    Nucle/o or kary/o is the combining form for "nucleus". A nucleus is the cell membrane-covered organelle within a cell that contains the genetic material.

  • Question of

    Find the combining form.

    • papill/o
    • nucle/o
    • aden/o
    • morph/o

    Correct Wrong

    Papill/o is a combining form for "nipple-like". Papilla is a nipple-like projection of an organ or part of the body.

  • Question of

    Find the combining form.

    • reticul/o
    • morph/o
    • aden/o
    • fibr/o

    Correct Wrong

    Reticul/o is a combining form that pertains to "network". A network is a web-like structure of intersecting fibers, strands, or tubules.

  • Question of

    Find the combining form.

    • somat/o
    • morph/o
    • myx/o
    • reticul/o

    Correct Wrong

    Somat/o is a combining form that pertains to "body". A body describes the entire physical structure of a thing.