Final answer:
The combining form carot/o- refers to the carotid artery, a blood vessel that supplies blood to the head and neck.
Step-by-step explanation:
The combining form carot/o- refers to the carotid artery. The carotid artery is a blood vessel that branches off the aorta or the brachiocephalic artery and supplies blood to the head and neck. It divides into the internal and external carotid arteries and plays a crucial role in maintaining cardiovascular homeostasis.