what is the meaning of the medical term hydrocele?
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmedhealth/PMH0001546/
The medical term "hydrocele" refers to a condition characterized by the accumulation of fluid around the testicle, leading to swelling in the scrotum. To understand the meaning of medical terms like "hydrocele," we can break it down into its component parts.
"Hydro" means water, and "cele" refers to a cavity or sac. So, "hydrocele" literally translates to "water sac." This term is used to describe the abnormal collection of fluid within the sac surrounding the testicle.
To find the meaning of medical terms, you can break them down into their roots, prefixes, and suffixes. In this case, "hydro-" refers to water, and "-cele" indicates a sac or cavity. By familiarizing yourself with common medical prefixes, roots, and suffixes, you can decipher the meaning of various medical terms.