Affixes

When swollen, the uvula—an extension of the soft palate at the back of the mouth—can fancifully resemble a bunch of grapes. In medicine, staphylectomy (Greek ektomē, excision) is surgical removal of the uvula. Bacteria of the staphylococcus group (Greek kokkos, berry), many types of which cause disease, are spherical and tend to form irregular clusters; the adjective relating to such bacteria is staphylococcal (sometimes abbreviated to staph); staphylokinase is an enzyme produced by certain strains of such bacteria that tends to stop blood clotting. A staphyloma is a abnormal bulging of the cornea or sclera of the eye, usually as a result of inflammation.