The plural of uterus is uteruses or uteri.
Understanding the plural forms of medical and biological terms can sometimes be tricky, as many words derived from Latin or Greek have retained their original pluralizations alongside newer, Anglicized versions.
According to reference information, the word "uterus" (noun, pronounced /ˈyüt-ə-rəs/) has two accepted plural forms:
Accepted Plural Forms of Uterus
Based on the provided reference:
- Uteruses
- Uteri (pronounced /-ˌrī/)
Both uteruses and uteri are considered correct plurals for the singular noun uterus. The form uteri follows the traditional Latin pluralization pattern for words ending in "-us". The form uteruses follows the more common English pattern of adding "-es" to form the plural, especially for words ending in "-s" or "-us".
Usage in Context
While both are correct, the choice between uteruses and uteri may sometimes depend on context or preference. In formal scientific or medical writing, uteri might be slightly more common due to its Latin origin, but uteruses is widely accepted and frequently used, particularly in less technical contexts or general conversation.
Let's look at the forms in a simple list:
- Singular: Uterus
- Plural Options:
- Uteruses
- Uteri
This table summarizes the forms:
| Singular | Plural Options |
|---|---|
| Uterus | Uteruses or Uteri |
Knowing both forms ensures accurate communication whether discussing medical terminology or general anatomy.
