Pilo-

Pilo- (from Latin pilus - “hair”) is the first part of compound words, meaning “hair”.

This term is used in words such as:

1. Pilocarpine, an alkaloid obtained from the leaves of the South American plant Pilocarpus, stimulates the secretion of sweat and lacrimal glands.

2. Pilomotor - causing contraction of the smooth muscles of the hair follicles, causing the hair to “stand on end.”

3. Pilonidal - Referring to a pilonidal cyst (a cyst formed from hair follicles).

4. Pylorhexis - hair pulling (as a treatment method).

Thus, the prefix pilo- indicates the connection of the term with hair, scalp.