Questions and Answers
What is the plural form of phalanx?
What is the correct plural of echo?
For words end______ng ______n -y, change the -y to _ and add -es.
i
What do you add for words ending in -um to make them plural?
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What is the plural rule for words ending in -a?
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The word adnexa remains the same in plural form.
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The plural of corpus is corpuses.
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What does viscus change to in plural form?
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Match the following endings with their plural transformations:
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What happens to words ending in -itis when pluralized?
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For words ending in -x preceded by -n, what do you replace the -x with?
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What is the correct plural form of ganglion?
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What suffix is added to words ending in -oma to form their plural?
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Study Notes
Plural Forms in Medical Language
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Phalanges (phalanx): The plural form of phalanx is phalanges, indicating multiple finger or toe bones.
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Echo to Echoes: The plural of echo is echoes; similar pattern seen in words like potato and tomato.
Plural Formation Rules
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Adding S or ES:
- Rule #1: For most nouns, just add s to form plurals.
- Rule #2: For nouns ending in -sh, -ch, -x, and -o, add -es (e.g., dish = dishes).
- Rule #3: For nouns ending in -y, change -y to -ies if preceded by a consonant (e.g., allergy = allergies); just add s if preceded by a vowel (e.g., plays).
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Changing -um to -a: For nouns ending in -um, replace -um with -a (e.g., antrum = antra). Notable exceptions exist where informal usage includes adding s instead.
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Adding -e for -a endings: For nouns ending in -a, add -e (e.g., bursa = bursae). Exceptions include -oma and -gma, leading to -ta (e.g., stroma = stromata).
Special Cases
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Adnexa and Genitalia: Both terms remain unchanged in plural form; treated as plurals grammatically.
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Replacing -us with -i: Words ending in -us change -us to -i (e.g., lobus = lobi). Exceptions include meatus and plexus, which do not change.
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Exceptions to -us Rule:
- Viscus becomes viscera.
- Crus becomes crura.
- Corpus becomes corpora.
Additional Plural Rules
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Changing -en to -ina: For words ending in -en, translate to -ina (e.g., foramen = foramina).
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Changing -is to -es: For nouns ending in -is, replace -is with -es (e.g., metastasis = metastases). Exceptions include:
- Arthritis becomes arthritides.
- Cuspis becomes cuspides.
- Iris becomes irides.
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Replacing -ex or -ix:
- Change to -ices (e.g., cervix = cervices).
- Other endings include:
- -x with ce for consonant precedents (e.g., falx = falces).
- -nx with ges for cases preceded by 'n' (e.g., pharynx = pharynges).
Unique Plurals
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Reflexes: The only accepted plural form is reflexes, highlighting its uniform usage in medical context.
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Adding -ta for specific endings: For both -oma and -gma, add -ta (e.g., stroma = stromata).
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Ganglia/Ganglions: Both forms are acceptable for the plural of ganglion.
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Description
Test your knowledge of medical terminology plurals with these flashcards. Learn the correct plural forms of various words, including specific rules for forming plurals in English. This quiz will help reinforce your understanding of essential medical language.
