dolicho

Dolicho is a combining form used in scientific terminology to denote elongation or length. It derives from the Greek dolichos (long) and commonly appears in English as dolicho- or dolich-. In medical and biological vocabulary it is used to form descriptors that indicate a longer-than-normal dimension or proportion.

In practice, dolicho- terms describe morphology rather than function. Examples include dolichocephalic (having a long skull), dolichofacial (an elongated facial profile), dolichostenomelia (proportionally long limbs), and dolichomorph (an elongated form of a structure). The prefix is often contrasted with brachy- (short) and, less commonly, meso- (middle) in discussions of body or organ proportions.

In biochemistry, dolicho appears in the name dolichol, a long-chain lipid involved in the biochemical process of N-linked glycosylation, and its phosphate form, dolichol phosphate, which acts as a carrier in glycan assembly on the endoplasmic reticulum. This usage reflects the general sense of length conveyed by the root.

Etymology and usage notes: dolicho comes from the ancient Greek word for long, and the prefix functions across multiple disciplines to describe an elongated trait or structure. While it helps categorize morphology in anatomy, anthropology, and biochemistry, it does not denote a standalone disease or condition.