Which set of roots is used to refer to an artery?

The term for an artery is derived from the roots "arteri/o" and "arter/o." These roots specifically refer to arteries, which are blood vessels that carry oxygenated blood away from the heart to the various tissues of the body.

Understanding these roots is crucial for medical terminology as they form the basis for a variety of terms related to vascular health. For example, terms like "arteriosclerosis" involve the hardening of arteries and use the "arteri/o" root to signify that the condition predominantly affects these structures.

Other options include roots that relate to different medical concepts. For instance, "arth/o" and "ather/o" relate to joints and fatty deposits, respectively, while "rhin/o" refers to the nose and "ot/o" to the ear. The roots "lith" denotes stones and "edema" refers to swelling, which are unrelated to arteries. Thus, recognizing the specific contexts in which each root is used enhances understanding and accurate communication in the field of health professions.