laryng-

The combining form laryng– is used like a prefix meaning “larynx,” a part of the throat where the vocal cords are located. It is often used in medical terms, especially in anatomy.

The form laryng– comes from Greek lárynx, meaning “larynx.” The Latin equivalent of lárynx was guttur, “throat,” the source of words such as goiter and guttural. To learn more, check out our entries for both words.

What are variants of laryng-?

The form laryng– is a variant of laryngo–, which loses its –o– when combined with words or word elements beginning with vowels. Want to know more? Read our Words That Use article about laryngo-.

An example of a medical term that you may have come across that uses the form laryng– is laryngitis, “inflammation of the larynx, often with accompanying sore throat, hoarseness or loss of voice, and dry cough.”

The form laryng– represents “larynx,” while the –itis portion of the word means “inflammation” from Greek –ītis. Laryngitis literally translates to “larynx inflammation.”

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

• laryngeal (using the equivalent form of laryng– in Latin)
• laryngectomy
• laryngemphraxis
• laryngitis stridulus

What are some other forms that laryng– may be commonly confused with?

• lacto-
• lys-
• lysi-

The combining form –ectomy means “excision.” With this in mind, what kind of medical procedure is a laryngectomy?