Pluralizing Medical Terms

Pluralizing Medical Terms

• Basic English Rules:
  • Words ending in s or ch: Add "es" (example: Distresses, Crutches)
  • Words ending in y after a consonant: Change "y" to "i" and add "es" (example: Deformities)

Specific Medical Term Pluralization Rules

• -a: Keep "a" and add "e" (example: Pleurae)
• -ax / -ix / -yx: Drop "x" and add "ces" (examples: Thoraces, Appendices, Calyces)
• -en: Drop "en" and add "ina" (example: Lumina)
• -is: Drop "is" and add "es" (example: Diagnoses)
• -ex: Drop "ex" and add "ices" (example: Apices)
• -ma: Keep "ma" and add "ta" (example: Angiomata)
• -on: Drop "on" and add "a" (example: Ganglia)
• -um: Drop "um" and add "a" (example: Bacteria)
• -us: Drop "us" and add "i" (example: Bronchi)
• -nx: Drop "nx" and add "nges" (example: Phalanges)
• -itis: Drop "itis" and add "itides" (example: Arthritides)

Singular and Plural Forms

• Singular: Refers to one item.
• Plural: Refers to more than one item.

-a Ending Terms

• Bursa: Sac of fluid near joints.
  • Plural: Bursae
• Axilla: The armpit.
  • Plural: Axillae

-ax/ ix/ yx Ending Terms

• Thorax: The chest.
  • Plural: Thoraces
• Appendix: A small finger-like projection.
  • Plural: Appendices
• Calyx: A cup-like structure.
  • Plural: Calyces

-ex Ending Terms

• Apex: The highest point of something.
  • Plural: Apices

-en Ending Terms

• ** Lumen**: An inner tube or channel within an organ or structure.
  • Plural: Lumina

-is Ending Terms

• Diagnosis (Dx): The determination of the nature of a disease.
  • Plural: Diagnoses
• Prognosis: The prediction of the course of a disease.
  • Plural: Prognoses
• Keratosis: Thickened area of the skin.
  • Plural: Keratoses

-ma Ending Terms

• Angioma: An abnormal growth of blood vessels.
  • Plural: Angiomata
  • Fibroma: A benign tumor.
    • Plural: Fibromata

-on Ending Terms

• Ganglion: A fluid-filled sac or cyst, often near a joint.
  • Plural: Ganglia

-um Ending Terms

• Bacterium: A single-celled microorganism
  • Plural: Bacteria

-us Ending Terms

• Bronchus: An airway that leads into the lungs.
  • Plural: Bronchi
• Digitus: A finger or toe
  • Plural: Digiti

-itis Ending Terms

• Arthritis: Inflammation of the joints.
  • Plural: Arthritides

-nx Ending Terms

• Phalanx: A bone in a finger or toe.
  • Plural: Phalanges

Test your knowledge on the rules of pluralizing medical terms! This quiz covers basic English rules and specific medical term pluralization guidelines, including unique endings for various terms. Perfect for students in healthcare fields or anyone interested in medical terminology.