Which root refers to pancreatic islet cells?

The root "insul/o" specifically refers to the islet cells of the pancreas, known as the islets of Langerhans, which are clusters of cells that produce hormones including insulin and glucagon. The term itself derives from the Latin word for "island," reflecting the way these cells are distributed within the pancreas, which is a gland that plays a crucial role in regulating blood sugar levels and digestion.

In contrast, the other roots pertain to different organs or systems. "Gastr/o" relates to the stomach, "hepat/o" refers to the liver, and "adip/o" pertains to fat or fatty tissue. Understanding these prefixes and suffixes is essential for accurately identifying medical terminologies and their implications within the human body. This knowledge is particularly important for coders and healthcare professionals when dealing with medical documentation, coding, and billing processes.