Shared Flashcard Set

Details

Plural Rules
Career Step Plural Rules for Medical Terminology
14
Health Care
Professional
04/26/2014

Additional Health Care Flashcards

 


 

Cards

Term
echo
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.
Term
most words
Definition
add -s (samples, beds, pills, doctors, hospitals)
Term
words ending in -s, -z, -ch, -sh (and nonmedical -x)
Definition
add -es (dishes, lunches, losses, reflexes)
Term
words ending in -y which are preceded by a consonant
Definition
change the -y to an i and add -es (allergy = allergies, anomaly = anomalies, body = bodies, abnormality = abnormalities, party = parties)
Term
words ending in -y preceded by a vowel
Definition
simply add an -s (plays, monkeys)
Term
words ending in -um
Definition
change the -um to an -a (antrum = antra, ostium = ostia, velum = vela, ischium = ischia, diverticulum = diverticula)
Term
words that end in -a
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.
Term
words ending in -oma or -gma such as stroma.
Definition
In this instance, add the letters -ta to the end of the word (stromata). Other examples of this are stigma = stigmata, leiomyoma = leiomyomata.
Term
words ending in -us
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.
Term
ords ending in -en
Definition
change the -en to -ina. (foramen = foramina, lumen = lumina) This is an uncommon ending; be sure to note the examples above.
Term
words ending in -is
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.
Term
words ending in either -ex or -ix
Definition
ending is replaced with -ices. (cervix = cervices, apex = apices, vertex = vertices)
EXCEPTION: reflex - The only acceptable plural is reflexes.
Term
If any other letter precedes the -x in the word (with the exception of -n)
Definition
Simply replace the -x with -ces. (falx = falces, thorax = thoraces)
Term
if the -x is preceded by the letter -n
Definition
replace the -x with -ges. (pharynx = pharynges, phalanx = phalanges)
Supporting users have an ad free experience!