Which root means palate?

• A. peritone/o
• B. palat/o
• C. odont/o
• D. nas/o

Answer: (B)

In medical terminology, the root (combining form) identifies the body part involved. palat/o is the combining form that means palate, the roof of the mouth, and it appears in terms like palatal and palatoplasty (surgical repair of the palate). The other roots point to different structures: peritone/o means the peritoneum lining the abdominal cavity, odont/o means teeth, and nas/o means the nose. So palat/o is the root that denotes palate.