genito-

The combining form genito– is used like a prefix meaning “genital.” Genital here refers to sexual organs such as the penis. It is very occasionally used in medical terms, especially in anatomy.

The form genito– comes from Latin genitālis, meaning “of birth.” A Greek word with a similar meaning is génesis, meaning “origin” or “birth,” which is the source of the noun genesis and the combining form –genesis, as found in words such as abiogenesis and parthenogenesis. To learn more, check out our entries for all three words.

One example of a scientific term that features genito– is genitourinary, or urogenital, “of or relating to the genital and urinary organs.”

The genito– part of the word refers to “genital organs.” As you may have guessed, the –urinary portion of the word means “pertaining to the organs secreting and discharging urine.” Genitourinary literally means “pertaining to the genital and urinary organs.”

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

• genitocrural
• genitofemoral
• genitofemoral nerve
• genitourinary system

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

• geo-
• geronto-
• gono-
• -gen

The word femoral means “of, relating to, or situated at, in, or near the thigh or femur.” With this in mind, where does the genitofemoral nerve go in the human body?