Exomphalus

/ɛkˈsɑm.fə.ləs/ noun

Definition

An alternative spelling of exomphalos; a protrusion at the umbilicus.

Etymology

From Greek 'exo-' (out) + 'omphalos' (navel), this is a variant Latinized form that appears in medical texts, using the Latin singular '-us' ending instead of the Greek '-os'.

Kelly Says

Language history is written in small choices like whether to spell a Greek word with '-os' or '-us'—these variants tell us which doctors trained where and which medical texts influenced others across Europe.

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