Which root corresponds to paralysis?

Which root corresponds to paralysis?

• A. tens/o
• B. ment/o
• C. spir/o
• D. pleg/o

Answer: (D)

Paralysis is conveyed in medical terms by the combining form pleg/o. You’ll see it in words like plegia (paralysis) and paraplegia (paralysis of both legs). The other roots have different meanings: tens/o relates to stretch or tension, ment/o to the mind, and spir/o to breathing. So pleg/o is the root that best matches the concept of paralysis.

Paralysis is conveyed in medical terms by the combining form pleg/o. You’ll see it in words like plegia (paralysis) and paraplegia (paralysis of both legs). The other roots have different meanings: tens/o relates to stretch or tension, ment/o to the mind, and spir/o to breathing. So pleg/o is the root that best matches the concept of paralysis.