Final answer:
The combining form 'tens/o-' means 'tension' referring to a force that acts along the length of a medium, commonly through flexible connectors like ropes or tendons. It denotes a pulling force, essential in both mechanical and biological contexts.
Step-by-step explanation:
The combining form tens/o-, as seen in the word hypertension, means “tension”; this term originates from a Latin word meaning “to stretch.” Tension often refers to the force along the length of a medium, especially a force that acts through a flexible connector like a rope, cable, or tendon, which carries muscle forces to other parts of the body. It is key to understand that in physics, tension refers to a pulling force and is the reason behind the phrase “You can’t push a rope.” The tension force pulls outward along the two ends of a connector, and this concept is important in both mechanical applications and biological contexts such as muscle structure and function.