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Branchio- is a combining form used like a prefix meaning “gills.” It is used in many scientific terms.

Branchio- comes from the Greek ����á�Գ��󾱲�, meaning “gills,” plural of ����á�Գ��󾱴Dz�, “fin.” ����á�Գ��󾱲� is also the source of the English word branchia, meaning “gill.” Learn more at our entry for the word.

What are variants of branchio-?

When combined with words or word elements that begin with a vowel, branchio- becomes branchi-, as in branchial.

An example of a term from biology that features the combining form branchio- is branchiopneustic, “breathing by means of gills.”

We know branchio- means “gills,” so what is the -pneustic portion of the word? That’s right, -pneustic refers to “breathing,” from the Greek ��Ա�ܲ��پ���ó��. Branchiopneustic literally translates to “gill-breathing.”

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

• branchiopod (using the equivalent form of branchio- in New Latin)
• branchiostegal
• branchiostegous
• branchiomotor nuclei

What are some other forms that branchio- may be commonly confused with?

• brachi-
• brachio-
• brachy-
• broncho-

The combining form -pod means “foot.” Some crustaceans are known as branchiopods. What is unique about the foot-like appendages these creatures have?