Final answer:
The root word 'arteri/o' stands for 'artery,' a blood vessel transporting blood away from the heart. Vasculitis is the inflammation of blood vessels. Arteries, including the aorta and arterioles, play essential roles in circulating oxygenated blood.
Step-by-step explanation:
The root word arteri/o refers to artery, which is a blood vessel that takes blood away from the heart. An inflammation of the blood vessels is referred to as vasculitis. Arteries are crucial components of the circulatory system and come in various sizes, including the aorta, which is the major artery of the body, and arterioles, which are smaller vessels that connect an artery to a capillary bed. Arteries facilitate the movement of oxygenated blood to tissues throughout the body, and their health is vital for the prevention of conditions like atherosclerosis, which is the buildup of fatty plaques in the coronary arteries.