Which root word means skin?

• A. Osteo
• B. Derm
• C. Suture
• D. Sterile

Answer: (B)

Derm- is the root that means skin. In medical terminology, combining forms come from Greek or Latin roots, and derm- (often seen as dermat- in longer forms) specifically denotes skin. That’s why you find words like dermis, dermatologist, and dermatology built from this root.

Osteo- refers to bone, not skin, so it’s unrelated to the meaning asked here. Suture describes a seam or the stitching used to close wounds, or the joints between skull bones in anatomy, not skin. Sterile describes being free from contamination, which again does not pertain to the skin itself.

So the root word meaning skin is derm-.