Final answer:
The term 'cutane/o' is a medical combining form meaning 'skin', relevant to the integumentary system. It is used in medical terminology to refer to the skin or related concepts, such as in the words 'cutaneous' or 'subcutaneous'. Option 1 is correct..
Step-by-step explanation:
The term 'cutane/o' is a combining form used in medical terminology that means 'skin'. This term is related to the cutaneous membrane, which is another name for our skin, the body's largest organ. The skin is crucial for protecting our body against various types of damage and contains layers like the epidermis, dermis, and hypodermis, each having specialized functions and structures. For example, the epidermis is the outermost layer serving as the first line of defense, while the dermis contains connective tissue, hair follicles, and sweat glands.
The cutane/o prefix is used to create terms related to the skin such as 'cutaneous', pertaining to the skin, or 'subcutaneous', meaning below the skin. Recognizing this term can help us understand various medical conditions and treatments that deal with the skin, such as dermatology, the medical specialty that addresses skin diseases and conditions. It is often used in medical terminology to refer to anything related to the skin, such as cutaneous diseases or cutaneous layers.