The prefix meaning 'cavity' is

The prefix meaning 'cavity' is

• A. Radi-
• B. Fistul-
• C. Alveol-
• D. Oment-

Answer: (C)

Alveol- is the prefix that denotes a cavity or small sac. It comes from the word alveolus, which is a tiny cavity or socket in the body—think of the tooth sockets (dental alveoli) or the tiny air sacs in the lungs. Because of this connection to a hollow space, alveol- is the form you use when naming terms that describe a cavity or socket. The other options don’t fit the idea of a cavity. Radi- relates to rays or radiation, as in radiology; fistul- comes from fistula, an abnormal passageway rather than a cavity; and oment- refers to the omentum, a fold of peritoneum in the abdomen, not a cavity.

Alveol- is the prefix that denotes a cavity or small sac. It comes from the word alveolus, which is a tiny cavity or socket in the body—think of the tooth sockets (dental alveoli) or the tiny air sacs in the lungs. Because of this connection to a hollow space, alveol- is the form you use when naming terms that describe a cavity or socket.

The other options don’t fit the idea of a cavity. Radi- relates to rays or radiation, as in radiology; fistul- comes from fistula, an abnormal passageway rather than a cavity; and oment- refers to the omentum, a fold of peritoneum in the abdomen, not a cavity.