Medical Root
urethr/o
urethr/o means urethra (from the Greek ourethra, meaning the passage for urine).
What does urethr/o mean?
The root urethr/o means the urethra, the single tube that carries urine from the bladder out of the body. It comes from the Greek word ourethra. It appears in words about this tube and its conditions. For example, urethritis is inflammation of the urethra. It is easily confused with ureter/o, which means the tubes from the kidneys to the bladder, so the difference is worth remembering.
Example words using urethr/o
Related word parts
Frequently asked questions
What does urethr/o mean?
The root urethr/o means the urethra, the tube that carries urine from the bladder out of the body, and comes from Greek.
What is urethritis?
It is inflammation of the urethra, combining urethr/o with -itis.
How is urethr/o different from ureter/o?
Urethr/o is the single tube from the bladder to the outside, while ureter/o refers to the two tubes from the kidneys to the bladder.
Study reference only — not medical advice. Always consult qualified sources for clinical decisions.