What does "ten/o" denote in medical terms?

The term "ten/o" is a combining form used in medical terminology that specifically denotes “tendon.” Tendons are the fibrous connective tissues that attach muscles to bones, facilitating movement by transmitting the force generated by muscles during contraction. Understanding this root is essential for interpreting various medical terms related to musculoskeletal health, such as "tendinitis," which refers to inflammation of a tendon.

The other terms pertain to different anatomical structures. For instance, the term associated with a testicle is distinctly different and is not related to connective tissue. Similarly, the thalamus is a part of the brain, and the nipple refers to a part of the anatomy associated with the breast. These distinctions demonstrate the specific and defined nature of medical roots and combining forms in conveying precise information about the human body.