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The combining form -cele is used like a suffix that has two distinct senses.

The first of these senses is “tumor,” and this form of -cele is frequently used in a variety of medical terms, particularly in pathology. It is generally used to denote a hernia, meaning “the protrusion of an organ or tissue through an opening in its surrounding walls, especially in the abdominal region.” This meaning of -cele comes from Greek �����ŧ, meaning “tumor.”

The second of these senses is “cavity,” and this form of -cele is very occasionally used in a variety of medical terms. This meaning of -cele comes from Greek ���î���Dz�, meaning “hollow.”

What are variants of -cele with the sense “cavity”?

The combining form -cele in the sense of “cavity” is more commonly spelled -coele and -coel, as in enterocoele and blastocoel. Want to know more? Read our �y��vlogs That Use articles for -coele and -coel.

An example of a scientific term that features the form -cele to mean “tumor” is enterocele, “an intestinal hernia.”

The entero- part of the word means “intestine,” from Greek é�Գٱ���Dz�. The -cele part of the word means “tumor,” in the sense of “hernia,” as we have already seen. Enterocele literally translates to “intestine hernia.”

What are some words that use the combining form -cele?

• cystocele
• dacryocele
• galactocele
• rectocele
• urocele

What are some other forms that -cele may be commonly confused with?

• -cene
• -cle
• -cule

The combining form galacto- means “milk.” With this in mind, what does galactocele literally translate to?