A plural or Latinized form referring to multiple hearts or heart-related structures; used in anatomical contexts.
Direct Latin plural of 'cardia' (heart). Classical Latin and medical Latin maintained Latin plurals even in English scientific texts, preserving the original language's grammar.
Modern English dropped most Latin plurals (we say 'focuses' not 'foci'), but medical and scientific fields cling to Latin plurals like 'cardiae,' 'larvae,' and 'criteria' because they sound more authoritative and distinguish experts from laypeople.
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