Washington Master Esthetics Practice Exam

What is the combining vowel in polyneurotherapy?

1. A

2. O

3. E

4. I

The correct answer is: O

In the term "polyneurotherapy," the combining vowel is "o." Combining vowels are used in medical terminology to facilitate easier pronunciation when combining words or word parts. In this case, the "o" acts as a bridge between the root "neur" (referring to nerves) and the suffix "therapy" (referring to treatment). The presence of "o" allows for a smoother transition when pronouncing the full term. For example, without the combining vowel, one might struggle more with the abrupt connection between "neur" and "therapy." In terms of the other letters presented, "a," "e," and "i" do not serve as combining vowels in this context and could be part of other terms or used differently in medical terminology. However, in the specific context of "polyneurotherapy," "o" is the correct choice for the combining vowel that facilitates the pronunciation of the entire word.