pleur/o
pleura, membrane around the lungs
From Greek pleura, rib, side
Meaning
What does pleur/o mean?
pleur/o is a root meaning pleura, membrane around the lungs. It comes from Greek pleura, rib, side.
Inside words it is spelled pleur.
Greek pleura first meant rib or side; in medicine it names the two-layered membrane lining the lungs and chest wall.
In real words
Medical words with pleur/o
inflammation of the pleura, causing sharp chest pain; also called pleurisy
relating to the pleura, the membrane around the lungs
pleurocentesis
puncture of the pleural space with a needle to draw off fluid; another name for thoracentesis
a procedure that makes the two pleural layers around the lung stick together, so fluid or air cannot collect between them
sharp pain in the side of the chest, felt in the muscles between the ribs
Sources
Checked against
Written for biofideX in plain words, after checking these references:
- 4.1 – Introduction to the Respiratory System – Building a Medical Terminology Foundation 2e
- Guide to Common Medical Terminology
- PLEURO- Definition & Meaning | Dictionary.com
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Lungs and airways
pleur/o is one of 12 parts in this lesson. Learn them together, then take real words apart.
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