salpingo-

Salpingo- is a combining form used like a prefix referring to the salpinx. The salpinx is a trumpet-shaped tube, especially the fallopian tube (in the female reproductive system) or Eustachian tube (in the ear).

Salpingo- is used in medical terms, especially in anatomy.

Salpingo- comes from the Greek sálpinx, meaning “trumpet.” Trumpet? Well, a salpinx was a kind of long, straight trumpet in ancient Greece.

What are variants of salpingo-?

When combined with words or word elements that begin with a vowel, salpingo- becomes salping-, as in salpingitis.

An example of a medical term that uses salpingo- is salpingotomy, “incision of the fallopian tubes.”

The first part of the word, salpingo-, means “salpinx,” as we’ve seen. The second part of the word, –tomy, means “cutting, incision.” Salpingotomy literally translates to “salpinx incision.”

What are some words that use the combining form salpingo- or salping-?

• salpingectomy
• salpingocele
• salpingography
• salpingolysis
• salpingopexy

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

• sapo-
• sapro-
• scapulo-
• slcero-

The combining form -ectomy means “excision.” With this in mind, what does the medical procedure of a salpingectomy involve?