Term
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Definition
| add -es (echoes) This important exception appears often in medical reports. Although it is a basic word that does not fall into any of the categories shown, it requires an -es be added. Thus, the correct plural form of the word echo is echoes. This can be seen in other English words ending in o as well, such as potato and tomato. |
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Term
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Definition
| add -s (samples, beds, pills, doctors, hospitals) |
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Term
| words ending in -s, -z, -ch, -sh (and nonmedical -x) |
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Definition
| add -es (dishes, lunches, losses, reflexes) |
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Term
| words ending in -y which are preceded by a consonant |
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Definition
| change the -y to an i and add -es (allergy = allergies, anomaly = anomalies, body = bodies, abnormality = abnormalities, party = parties) |
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Term
| words ending in -y preceded by a vowel |
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Definition
| simply add an -s (plays, monkeys) |
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Term
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Definition
| change the -um to an -a (antrum = antra, ostium = ostia, velum = vela, ischium = ischia, diverticulum = diverticula) |
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Term
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Definition
| add an -e ( bursa = bursae, lingula = lingulae, uvula = uvulae) EXCEPTIONS: for words ending in -oma or -gma such as stroma. In this instance, add the letters -ta to the end of the word (stromata). Other examples of this are stigma = stigmata, leiomyoma = leiomyomata.These words appear only as plural forms: adnexa and genitalia. These should be treated as plurals in grammatical usage. "Genitalia are normal." (not "is") There are singular forms, but you will never see or hear them. |
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Term
| words ending in -oma or -gma such as stroma. |
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Definition
| In this instance, add the letters -ta to the end of the word (stromata). Other examples of this are stigma = stigmata, leiomyoma = leiomyomata. |
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Term
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Definition
replace the -us with a single -I (lobus = lobi, tragus = tragi, focus = foci)
EXEPTIONS: First, there are two words you should memorize, meatus and plexus. Their plural and singular forms are exactly the same. Grammatically, they are treated as singular forms. "The solar plexus is tender to palpation."
Second, there are three unusual exceptions, all ending in -us. These are: viscus which becomes viscera; crus which becomes crura; and corpus which becomes corpora. You should memorize these exceptions. |
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Term
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Definition
| change the -en to -ina. (foramen = foramina, lumen = lumina) This is an uncommon ending; be sure to note the examples above. |
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Term
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Definition
change the -i to an -e ( metastasis = metastases, naris = nares, pelvis = pelves)
EXCEPTIONS: There are exceptions to this rule as well. These, although uniform, are unusual exceptions and should be memorized individually. They are: arthritis, which becomes arthritides; cuspis, which becomes cuspides; and iris, which becomes irides. |
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Term
| words ending in either -ex or -ix |
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Definition
ending is replaced with -ices. (cervix = cervices, apex = apices, vertex = vertices)
EXCEPTION: reflex - The only acceptable plural is reflexes. |
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Term
| If any other letter precedes the -x in the word (with the exception of -n) |
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Definition
| Simply replace the -x with -ces. (falx = falces, thorax = thoraces) |
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Term
| if the -x is preceded by the letter -n |
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Definition
| replace the -x with -ges. (pharynx = pharynges, phalanx = phalanges) |
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