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The combining form -tome is used like a suffix to mean “cutting instrument” as well as a “segment, somite.” A somite is a scientific term designating body segments in animals like worms or segments of a developing embryo.

The form –tome is used in some scientific and medical terms, especially in anatomy and surgery. It comes from the Greek �ٴdz�ḗ, meaning “a cutting,” and ��ó���Dz�, “a cut, slice.”

The Greek root ��ó���Dz�, which can also mean “piece, roll of paper, or book,” is also the source of the word tome. Crack open the history of tome at our entry for the word. Also related to ��ó���Dz� is atom. What’s the big idea behind atoms and cutting? Find out in our Origin section for this term.

Related to -tome are the combining forms -ectomy, -tomous, -tomy, and tomo-. Slice into their specific meanings at our �y��vlogs That Use articles for the forms.

A medical term that features the combining form -tome is osteotome, a surgical tool used for cutting or dividing bone.

The first part of the word, osteo-, means “bone.” The form -tome denotes “cutting instrument,” as we’ve learned. Osteotome, then, literally translates to “bone-cutting instrument.” Eek!

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

• dermatome
• histotome
• microtome
• myotome
• phlebotome
• thyrotome

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

• -stome
• -stomy
• -stomous
• -ton

The combining form micro- means “small.” A microtome is an instrument used to cut what sized objects, generally speaking?