cysto-

1. a combining form representing cyst in the formation of compound words:

   cystolith.

cysto-

combining_form

1. indicating a cyst or bladder

   cystocarp

   cystoscope

Words That Use cysto-

What does cysto- mean?

The combining form cysto- is used like a suffix meaning “cyst,” which is a scientific term for a bladder, sac, or vesicle. It is often used in scientific terms, especially in biology and pathology.

The form cysto- comes from Greek kýstis, meaning “bag,” “pouch,” or “bladder.”

What are variants of cysto-?

When combined with words or word elements that begin with a vowel, cysto- becomes cyst-, as in cystoma.

A rare variant of cysto- is cysti-, as in cysticercus.

When used as a suffix, the combining form cyst- becomes -cyst, as in oocyst. Want to know more? Read our Words That Use articles for these forms.

Examples of cysto-

An example of a medical term that features cysto- is cystotomy, “surgical incision into the gall bladder or urinary bladder.”

Here, the form cysto- is used to mean “bladder.” The -tomy portion of the word means “cutting, incision” from Greek -tomia. Cystotomy literally translates to “bladder incision.”

What are some words that use the combining form cysto-?

• cystocarp
• cystocele
• cystoepithelioma
• cystogram
• cystolith
• cystotome

What are some other forms that cysto- may be commonly confused with?

• cis-
• crypto-
• cyclo-
• cyno-
• cyto-

Break it down!

The suffix -scope means “instrument for viewing.” Keeping this in mind, what is a cystoscope?