Which root means lung?

• A. Pulm(o)
• B. Pyel
• C. Pur
• D. Pyr(o)

Answer: (A)

The root meaning lung is pulmon/o (often rendered as pulm/o). This combining form comes from Latin pulmon-, and it’s the one you’ll see in terms like pulmonary, pulmonology, and pulmonologist. It designates the lung as the organ involved. Pyel- refers to the renal pelvis of the kidney, as in pyelitis or pyelonephritis. Pyr(o) relates to heat or fever (from Greek pyros), used in terms like pyrogen. Pur- isn’t a standard organ-root for the body part system. So the appropriate root for lung is pulmon/o.