What is the primary function of combining vowels in medical terminology?

The primary function of combining vowels in medical terminology is to aid in the pronunciation of medical terms. Combining vowels, typically "o", are used to link root words to suffixes or other root words, facilitating smoother transitions in pronunciation. For instance, in the term "cardiology," the combining vowel "o" connects the root "cardi" (heart) with the suffix "ology" (study of), making it easier to articulate the term.

While combining vowels play a crucial role in ensuring the terms are pronounceable, they do not change the meaning of the root words, indicate word origins, or serve purely as connectors without contributing to pronunciation. Therefore, the correct answer reflects their primary purpose in medical terminology.