Linguistics 101 – Where did some clinical terms originate?
Cancer
Cancer= crab
Greek physician Hippocrates noted that some tumors with swollen veins look like crabs. The zodiac sign of Cancer also gets its name from the constellation’s resemblance to a crab.
Cardiovascular
Cardio=heart
Vascular= relating to blood vessels such as arteries and veins
Cardiovascular diseases are diseases that affect the heart and/or blood vessels.
Diabetes Mellitus
Diabetes= a passer through; siphon
Mellitus= sweet
Diabetes patients are known to urinate frequently (such as the passing of fluid through a siphon), and this urine is often rich in sugars which cannot be absorbed by the body.
Osteoarthritis
Osteo= of the bone
Arthro= joint
Itis= inflammation
Osteoarthritis is a condition in which the bones and joints become inflamed and painful.
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