Medical Root
pyel/o
pyel/o means renal pelvis (from the Greek pyelos, meaning trough or basin).
What does pyel/o mean?
The root pyel/o means the renal pelvis, the funnel shaped part of the kidney that collects urine and channels it into the ureter. It comes from the Greek word pyelos, meaning basin. For example, pyelonephritis is inflammation of the renal pelvis and kidney. Take care not to confuse pyel/o with py/o, which means pus. It often appears alongside nephr/o and ren/o, which mean kidney.
Example words using pyel/o
Related word parts
Frequently asked questions
What does pyel/o mean?
The root pyel/o means the renal pelvis, the part of the kidney that collects urine, and comes from Greek.
What is pyelonephritis?
It is inflammation of the renal pelvis and kidney, combining pyel/o and nephr/o with -itis.
How is pyel/o different from py/o?
Pyel/o means the renal pelvis, while py/o means pus. They look similar but have different meanings.
Study reference only — not medical advice. Always consult qualified sources for clinical decisions.