Oligoasthenozoospermia
/ˌɒlɪɡoʊˌæsθənoʊˌzoʊˌspɜːrmiə/noun
A condition characterized by abnormally low sperm concentration, reduced sperm motility, and often abnormal sperm morphology.
Did you know?Its Greek-built structure reflects an ancient medical habit: combining compact word-roots to classify hidden bodily conditions with almost spell-like precision.
Etymological Timeline
Ancient Greek
Greek
olígos
“Few, little, or scanty”
Ancient Greek
Greek
asthenḗs
“Weak or without strength”
Ancient Greek
Greek
zōion
“Living creature or animal”
Ancient Greek
Greek
spérma
“Seed; something sown”
19th–20th Century
Medical Greek/New Latin
oligo- + astheno- + zoo- + -spermia
“A technical compound describing scant, weakly motile sperm”
Modern English
English
oligoasthenozoospermia
“Low sperm concentration combined with poor motility and commonly abnormal morphology”