labio-

The combining form labio– is used like a prefix meaning “lip.” It is occasionally used in scientific terms, especially in anatomy.

The form labio– comes from Latin labium, meaning “lip.” In anatomy, the English labium (plural labia) is often used to mean “any of the folds of skin bordering the vulva.” Find out more at our entry for labium. The Greek translation of labium is kheîlos, “lip,” as found in the combining form cheilo–. To learn more, check out our Words That Use article about cheilo-.

What are variants of labio-?

When combined with words or word elements that begin with a vowel, labio– becomes labi–, as in labiate, from Latin labiātus. Want to know more? Read our Words That Use article about labi-.

An example of a scientific term that features labio– is labiograph, “an instrument for recording the movements of the lips during speech.”

The labio– portion of the word means “lip,” while the –graph part refers to “drawn” or “recorded,” from Greek –graphos. Labiograph literally translates to “lip drawing.”

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

• labiocervical
• labiochorea
• labiodental
• labiomental
• labioplasty
• labiovelar

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

• biblio-
• lepto-

Not every word that begins with the exact letters labio– or labi-, such as labile and lability, is necessarily using the combining form labio– to denote “lip.” Learn why labile means “likely to change” at our entry for the word.

The combining form –plasty is used to mean “surgical repair” or “plastic surgery.” With this in mind, what kind of medical procedure is a labioplasty?