It seems strange to me that the word "uterus" is from Latin, but removal of the "uterus," "hysterectomy," comes from Greek. Similarly, the word "testicle" is from Latin, but the removal of the "testicle" is an "orchiectomy," which is from Greek. Somewhat similar is the word "breast," which is from Old English, but then the removal of the breast is a "mastectomy," which is again from Greek.
Yet, with other organs the removal comes straight from the organ, such as: "tonsil" and "tonsillectomy" or "appendix" and "appendectomy or "spleen" and "spenectomy" or "colon" and "colectomy," etc.
Is the difference because the former words are all for genital organs? If so, why would that be?
Is the word orchidectomy? Offhand I'd say that since -ectomy is of Greek origin, the tendency is to use Greek forms, if they exist. Also, the tendency not to mix Greek and Latin words may not be so great as it was in the past. (I've never considered a breast to be a genital organ.) Both spleen and colon are both of Greek origin. Tonsil and appendix are Latin.
The breast is known as the "mammary gland" from the Latin mamma "breast".
Although removal of a breast (because of cancer, etc.) can apparently be called a mammectomy, is is more usually known as a mastectomy. That is strange in itself. According to Wiktionary the word comes from mastoid + -ectomy. The mastoid process is a bony area behind the ear! Apparently it is conical so shaped like a breast or nipple.
Build a man a fire and he's warm for a day. Set a man on fire and he's warm for the rest of his life.
As a nurse I am often fascinated by words (euphomisms?) constructed from the word "ostomy" - which basically means to cut a hole ("os" is Latin for mouth or opening). There are colostomies (not to be confused with colonoscopies - which are visual scopes of the colon), ileostomies, etc. Taber's Cyclopedic Medical Dictionary simply states that "tomy" is a "combining form meaning incision"). Since I am new to this site I am hoping someone can enlighten me regarding the term "combining form." Thank you.
One more thought. I am fascinated by the way certain medical words are used in such diverse ways. For instance, "cyst" is Greek for bladder or sac, so it often crops up with procedures or anatomical descriptions involving the bladder. Yet, it can also refer to an abnormal growth or pouch. And, "catheter" is Greek for "something inserted." Patients typically think of this as a Foley (bladder) catheter, but it also refers to tubing used for intravenous insertions (IVs).
Originally posted by Richard English: Hello elledee. Is your name by any chance a corruption of your initials - LED? Mind you, as an LED you would surely be a bright spot on our firmament!
That assumes three syllables, ell-ee-dee. Of course it could be a two syllables, elle-dee, or LD, which means something else entirely.
Of course, that first syllable elle is French for 'she'. Could it be that our Richard knows French, infers that elledee is female, and is gallantly flirting?
elledee, whatever your name or gender, welcome to our board!
You got me! Elle stands for both my first initial and female gender (also, coincidentally, the name of a current first lady). It could also stand for things I value - laughter, love, life (sappy, I know). "D" is for my middle name and similar to a modern late princess. Unfortunately, I have to leave for work soon (those crazy nursing hours) because I am loving this site! Tonight I will approach the floor with more of a Greek and Latin perspective...Thank you for making me feel so welcome. I look forward so sharing lots of word games and fun.
Taber's Cyclopedic Medical Dictionary simply states that "tomy" is a "combining form meaning incision"). Since I am new to this site I am hoping someone can enlighten me regarding the term "combining form."
I will offer a guess, though some of the more informed here may have a better answer. I am wondering if it simply means that it's a suffix that you combine another core word to, which means an incision into whatever you add to it (such as "otomy" with "trachea").
It's a term that means that it is used in combining with others in coining new words. Greek τομη (tomē) 'incision', cf. τεμνειν (temnein) 'to cut', τνησις (tmesis 'cutting'.
