The plural form of humerus is humeri.
The term humerus refers to the long bone in the upper arm, extending from the shoulder to the elbow. Like many anatomical terms derived from Latin, its plural form follows classical Latin grammar rules.
Understanding the Plural of Humerus
The correct pluralization of humerus is essential for clear communication in medical, scientific, and general contexts.
Singular and Plural Forms
The singular and plural forms, along with their standard pronunciations, are as follows:
| Form | Word | Pronunciation |
|---|---|---|
| Singular | humerus | /ˈhjuːmərəs/ |
| Plural | humeri | /ˈhjuːməˌraɪ/ |
The transformation from -us to -i is a common characteristic of second-declension Latin masculine nouns, which have been adopted into English.
What is the Humerus?
The humerus is a critical bone in the human skeleton. It plays a vital role in the movement and structure of the upper limb, connecting the shoulder blade (scapula) and collarbone (clavicle) to the forearm bones (radius and ulna). Fractures of the humerus are common injuries, often occurring in various locations along the bone.
Examples in Context
Here are some examples demonstrating the use of humerus and humeri in sentences:
- Singular: The patient sustained a fracture of the humerus during the fall.
- Plural: Both humeri were examined for signs of osteosarcoma.
- Singular: The anatomy lecture focused on the structure and function of the human humerus.
- Plural: Surgeons often need to distinguish between different types of fractures that affect the humeri.
Grammatical Rules for Latin-Derived Nouns
Many English words, particularly in scientific and medical fields, retain their Latin plural forms. For nouns ending in -us from the second declension in Latin, the plural is typically formed by changing -us to -i.
Common Examples:
- Radius (bone in the forearm) becomes radii.
- Fungus becomes fungi.
- Stimulus becomes stimuli.
- Nucleus becomes nuclei.
Understanding these common pluralization patterns can help in accurately using other Latin-derived terms in English. For more information on grammatical rules for medical terms, resources like the National Library of Medicine's guide to medical terminology can be helpful.
Importance in Medical Terminology
Accurate use of singular and plural forms is paramount in medical documentation, research, and communication. Misusing a plural form can lead to confusion, incorrect diagnoses, or errors in treatment plans. For instance, referring to "a humeri" instead of "a humerus" would be grammatically incorrect and could cause ambiguity in a medical report.
