In the term cyanosis, cyan/o indicates which color?

Study for the Introduction to Medical Terminology Test. Prepare with flashcards and multiple choice questions, each question has hints and explanations. Get ready for your exam!

Multiple Choice

In the term cyanosis, cyan/o indicates which color?

Explanation:
Cyan/o is a combining form that means blue. In cyanosis, the bluish tint of the skin and mucous membranes comes from increased deoxygenated hemoglobin in the blood, signaling reduced oxygenation. The color blue is tied to cyan/o, while other color prefixes come from different roots (green from virid/o or chlor/o, yellow from xantho/o, purple from purpur/o). So the term cyan/o specifically points to blue.

Cyan/o is a combining form that means blue. In cyanosis, the bluish tint of the skin and mucous membranes comes from increased deoxygenated hemoglobin in the blood, signaling reduced oxygenation. The color blue is tied to cyan/o, while other color prefixes come from different roots (green from virid/o or chlor/o, yellow from xantho/o, purple from purpur/o). So the term cyan/o specifically points to blue.

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