What does the root "later/o" refer to?

The root "later/o" refers to the concept of "side." In medical terminology, this root is often used to describe locations or positions of body parts in relation to the midline of the body. For example, the terms "lateral" and "bilateral" are derived from this root, where "lateral" indicates positioning toward the side of the body, and "bilateral" refers to both sides. Understanding this root is important in anatomy and clinical contexts, as it helps in accurately describing the location of structures or conditions in relation to the body's midline.

The other options represent different roots that describe other types of concepts: "stone" is associated with the root "lith/o," "white" pertains to "leuk/o," and "fat" relates to "adip/o." These roots are crucial in medical terminology but do not apply to the meaning of "later/o."