melan/o
black, dark
From Greek melas (melan-), black, dark
Meaning
What does melan/o mean?
melan/o is a root meaning black, dark. It comes from Greek melas (melan-), black, dark.
Inside words it is spelled melan.
Its words usually involve melanin, the dark pigment that melanocytes make in skin, hair and eyes.
In real words
Medical words with melan/o
a cancer that starts in melanocytes, the pigment cells, usually in the skin or a mole
melanocyte
a cell in the skin, eye or hair follicle that makes the dark pigment melanin
abnormal buildup of melanin or another dark pigment in body tissues
Don't mix it up
Parts easily confused with melan/o
Sources
Checked against
Written for biofideX in plain words, after checking these references:
- MELAN- Definition & Meaning - Merriam-Webster
- Appendix A: Word Parts and What They Mean
- 3.2 Word Components Related to the Integumentary System – Medical Terminology – 2e
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Colors and qualities
melan/o is one of 11 parts in this lesson. Learn them together, then take real words apart.
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