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Utero- is a combining form used like a prefix representing the word uterus, also known as the womb, where offspring are conceived and gestate in mammals. It is often used in medical terms, especially in anatomy.

Utero- comes from the Latin uterus, meaning “womb” and “matrix.” Matrix? Find out the connection at our entry for matrix.

Related to the Latin uterus is the Greek ���������, source of the related combining form hystero-. The combining form metro- can also indicate uterus.

What are variants of utero-?

When combined with words or word elements that begin with a vowel, utero- becomes uter-, as in uteralgia.

One example of a medical term that features the combining form utero- is uterotomy, also known as hysterotomy, “the operation of cutting into the uterus,” as in a C-section.

As we have seen, utero- represents “uterus.” The second part of the word, -tomy, is a combining form meaning “cutting, incision.” Uterotomy literally translates to “uterus incision.”

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

• uterolith
• uteropexy
• uterometer
• uteroscope
• uteroplasty

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

• ultra-
• uretero-

The combining form -scope means “instrument for viewing.” With this in mind, what is uteroscope used to view?