What does the root Dactyl- denote?

What does the root Dactyl- denote?

• A. Nail
• B. Joint
• C. Finger, toe
• D. Thumb

Answer: (C)

Dactyl- denotes the digits—fingers and toes. It comes from the Greek word daktylos meaning finger or toe, so it’s used when referring to a digit in general. That’s why it fits phrases like dactylitis (inflammation of a digit) or polydactyly (having extra fingers or toes). Nails are named with onych- or ung-, joints with arthr- or articul-, and the thumb has its own designation (pollex/pollic-). Hence, the root is tied to the digits themselves, not to nails, joints, or the thumb specifically.

Dactyl- denotes the digits—fingers and toes. It comes from the Greek word daktylos meaning finger or toe, so it’s used when referring to a digit in general. That’s why it fits phrases like dactylitis (inflammation of a digit) or polydactyly (having extra fingers or toes). Nails are named with onych- or ung-, joints with arthr- or articul-, and the thumb has its own designation (pollex/pollic-). Hence, the root is tied to the digits themselves, not to nails, joints, or the thumb specifically.