Which term refers specifically to breast tissue?

Which term refers specifically to breast tissue?

• A. mast(o)-
• B. mamm(o)
• C. mandibl/o
• D. maxill(o)

Answer: (A)

Breast tissue is identified by combining forms that attach to a root to name structures or conditions. The form mast/o- comes from Greek mastos meaning breast and directly labels the breast tissue in terms like mastectomy (removal of breast) and mastitis (inflammation of breast tissue). While mamm/o- also relates to the breast, it’s used more for the breast as an organ or for the mammary glands in general (as in mammogram, mammary). The other roots here refer to jaw bones (mandibl/o for mandible and maxill/o for maxilla). So, when pointing to breast tissue specifically, mast/o- is the best fit.

Breast tissue is identified by combining forms that attach to a root to name structures or conditions. The form mast/o- comes from Greek mastos meaning breast and directly labels the breast tissue in terms like mastectomy (removal of breast) and mastitis (inflammation of breast tissue). While mamm/o- also relates to the breast, it’s used more for the breast as an organ or for the mammary glands in general (as in mammogram, mammary). The other roots here refer to jaw bones (mandibl/o for mandible and maxill/o for maxilla). So, when pointing to breast tissue specifically, mast/o- is the best fit.