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