What is the combining form for thyroid?

The combining form for thyroid is "thyr/o." In medical terminology, combining forms are root words that are often paired with other word parts—such as prefixes or suffixes—to create terms relevant to specific anatomical structures or conditions.

The term "thyr/o" specifically refers to the thyroid gland, a vital organ that regulates metabolism through hormones like thyroxine and triiodothyronine. Understanding this combining form is important for medical assistants since they may encounter terms related to thyroid function, disorders (such as hypothyroidism or hyperthyroidism), and procedures involving this gland in their practice.

The other options represent different anatomical structures: "hepat/o" refers to the liver, "cholescyst/o" pertains to the gallbladder, and "esophag/o" is associated with the esophagus. Each of these has its own specific medical implications, but they do not relate to the thyroid gland. Thus, they do not serve as the combining form for thyroid.