renal
UK: ˈriːn(ə)l | US: ˈriːnəl
adj. relating to the kidneys
renal = ren<kidney> + al<adjective suffix>
- ren: From Latin rēn (kidney), preserved in medical terminology.
- al: A suffix forming adjectives, derived from Latin -ālis, indicating relation or pertaining to.
Etymology Origin:
The word renal traces back to Latin rēnālis, combining rēn (kidney) and -ālis (relating to). This structure reflects the Latin habit of forming descriptive terms for anatomical parts. The root rēn is ancient but survives almost exclusively in scientific contexts (e.g., adrenal). The suffix -al is highly productive in English, turning nouns into adjectives (e.g., natural, vocal).
The patient suffered from acute renal failure.
Renal function tests are crucial for diagnosing kidney diseases.
The renal artery supplies blood to the kidneys.
Chronic renal insufficiency requires careful management.
She specializes in renal physiology research.