hepato-

1. a combining form meaning “liver,” used in the formation of compound words:

   hepatotoxin.

hepato-

combining_form

1. denoting the liver

   hepatitis

Word History and Origins

Origin of hepato-¹

Combining form representing Greek hēpat-, stem of hêpar liver

Word History and Origins

Origin of hepato-¹

from Greek hēpat-, hēpar

Words That Use hepato-

What does hepato- mean?

Hepato- is a combining form used like a prefix meaning “liver.” It is often used in medical terms, especially in anatomy.

Hepato- comes from the Greek hêpar, meaning “liver.”

What are variants of hepato-?

When combined with words or word elements that begin with a vowel, hepato- becomes hepat–, as in hepatitis.

Examples of hepato-

An example of a word you may have heard before that includes hepato- is hepatotoxic, “destructive to liver cells.”

As we’ve seen, the prefix hepato- means “liver.” Something toxic is poisonous to an organism. Hepatotoxic, then, literally translates to “toxic to the liver.”

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

• hepatocellular
• hepatogastric
• hepatogenic
• hepatolith
• hepatology
• hepatoscopy

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

 

• herp.
• hyper-
• hypo-

Break it down!

What part of the body does a hepatologist study?