Write the plural form of each of the following words. The word ending is underlined in each
vertebra (bone of the spine) (Fig. 2-4) VER-te-bra vertebrae Jenny X 2. ganglion (mass of nerve tissue) GANG-TE-on 3. omentum (abdominal membrane) -MEN-tum 4. testis (male gonad) TES-tis 5. lumen (central opening) LU-min 6. matrix (background substance; mold) MA-triks 7. serum (liquid) SE-rum
The Correct Answer and Explanation is :
Correct Answers:
- Vertebra → Vertebrae
- Ganglion → Ganglia
- Omentum → Omenta
- Testis → Testes
- Lumen → Lumina
- Matrix → Matrices
- Serum → Sera
Explanation:
Understanding the plural forms of these words requires a grasp of their linguistic roots, often Latin or Greek. Here’s a breakdown:
- Vertebra → Vertebrae: The word “vertebra” is Latin and follows the first declension, where the plural is formed by changing the ending -a to -ae. This is common for anatomical terms.
- Ganglion → Ganglia: “Ganglion” is derived from Greek and follows the rule where -on endings in singular convert to -a in plural.
- Omentum → Omenta: Similar to “ganglion,” “omentum” is a neuter noun in Latin. Neuter nouns ending in -um change to -a in the plural.
- Testis → Testes: Originating from Latin, words ending in -is often form their plural by changing to -es.
- Lumen → Lumina: This term is a neuter noun in Latin. Neuter singular nouns ending in -en form their plural by changing to -ina.
- Matrix → Matrices: The word “matrix” stems from Latin, where words ending in -ix often pluralize by changing to -ices.
- Serum → Sera: Like “omentum,” “serum” is a neuter noun in Latin, and its plural is formed by changing -um to -a.
Why is this important?
Medical terminology is rooted in Latin and Greek, which provides consistency and precision. Understanding these patterns not only aids in memorizing terms but also enables you to deduce the plural forms of unfamiliar words. For example, knowing the Latin rule for -um → -a helps recognize that “omentum” becomes “omenta” without rote memorization. This skill is vital in fields like medicine, biology, and anatomy.