myxo-

Myxo- is a combining form used like a prefix meaning “mucus” or “slime.” It is often used in medical terms, especially in pathology.

Myxo- comes from the Greek mýxa, meaning “mucus” or “slime.” The word mucus, from Latin, is related to the Greek mýxa.

What are variants of myxo-?

When combined with words or word elements that begin with a vowel, myxo- becomes myx–, as in myxadenoma.

One example of a scientific term that features myxo- is myxocyte, a type of cell found in mucus tissue.

The word myxocyte is made of two combining forms. The first, as we’ve seen, is myxo-, meaning “mucus.” The second, -cyte, means “cell.” Myxocyte literally translates, then, to “mucus cell.”

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

• myxobacteria
• myxochondroma
• myxoedema
• myxofibroma
• myxolipoma
• myxopapilloma

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

• myo-

While myxo- sounds like the word mix, the two are unrelated—and you definitely wouldn’t want your mixologist adding in any mucus or slime into your drinks.

Myxovirus is a name for a group of viruses, some of which can cause the common cold.

Based on their name, these viruses react to proteins that can be found in what substance?