stomato-

1. a combining form meaning “mouth,” used in the formation of compound words:

   stomatoplasty.

stomato-

combining_form

1. indicating the mouth or a mouthlike part

   stomatology

Word History and Origins

Origin of stomato-¹

< Greek stomat-, stem of stóma; stoma

Word History and Origins

Origin of stomato-¹

from Greek stoma, stomat-

Words That Use Stomato-

What does stomato- mean?

Stomato- is a combining form used like a prefix meaning “mouth” and occasionally, “cervix,” a medical term for the lower end of the uterus. Stomato- is used in many medical and scientific terms.

Stomato- comes from the Greek stóma, meaning “mouth.” This root is the source of the English words stoma and stomate (technical terms for a mouth, among other senses) and is related to stomach. Stomach? Our stomachs and mouths are certainly connected—and etymologically so, too. Discover the connection at our entry for the word.

What are variants of stomato-?

When combined with words or word elements that begin with a vowel, stomato- becomes stomat-, as in stomatitis.

Closely related to stomato- are -stomous and -stomy. Learn more about the specific applications of these forms at our Words That Use articles for them.

Examples of stomato-

One example of a medical term that features the combining form stomato- is stomatopathy, “a disease of the mouth.”

The first part of the word, stomato-, means “mouth.” The second part of the word, -pathy, here indicates “disease.” Stomatopathy literally translates to “mouth disease.”

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

• stomatopod
• stomatology
• stomatotomy
• stomatoplasty
• stomatocytosis

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

• somato-
• stamini-
• sterno-
• strato-
• strepto-

Break it down!

The combining form -plasty often means “plastic surgery.” What does the medical procedure of stomatoplasty involve?