35 Medical Words You Always Mispronounce
Updated: Aug. 08, 2018Never fear making a fool out of yourself at the doctor’s office again.
Tinnitus
Say: “TIN-it-us.” That’s how doctors say it, but they're used to hearing “ti-nite-us” too. These are the medical words you should never get confused.
Ophthalmologist
Say: “off-thull-MAH-luh-just.” Your eye doctor will want you to take a closer look at all the letters: There’s an H after the P, so it should make an F sound. And don’t forget the first L!
Diabetes
Say: “die-uh-BEE-teez.” Not: “die-uh-bee-tuss.”
Alzheimer's disease
Say: “ALTS-hy-murz.” The Z isn’t hard like you might think it is. And definitely don’t make the mistake of calling it “old timer’s disease.”
Kegel exercises
Say: “KAY-gull.” Not “kee-gull.”
Otolaryngologist
Say: “oh-toe-lar-en-GAH-luh-jist.” This is the outrageous hospital lingo doctors and nurses use behind your back.
Acid reflux
Say: “A-sid REE-flux.” Not: “acid reflex.”
Dilate
Say: “DIE-late.” No need to make it three syllables by saying “die-uh-late.”
Prescription
Say: “pri-SKRIP-shun.” Not “per-skrip-shun." By the way:
Diphtheria
Say: “dif-THEER-ee-uh.” The “ph” sounds like an F, not a P. Here are the healthcare terms everyone needs to know.
Mastectomy
Say: “mass-TEK-toe-mee.” Don’t skip over the first T.
Oophorectomy
Say: “oh-uh-fuh-WRECK-tuh-mee.” It’s not an “oof” sound like it looks like.
Anesthetist
Say: “an-ES-thi-tist.” Unlike “anesthesia,” it has a short E sound. These are the secrets your health insurance company is keeping from you.
Prostate
Say: “PRAH-state.” Not to be confused with prostrate, meaning to lie flat on the ground.
Diarrhea
Say: “die-uh-REE-uh.” Not “die-ree” or “die-uh-rear.” Check out what your stomach pain means here.
Febrile
Say: “FEB-rile.” Not “feeb-roll.” These are clear signs you're getting sick.
Colonoscopy
Say: “koe-lun-AH-skuh-pee.”
Endoscopy
Say: “end-AH-skuh-pee.” But don’t get confused—“endoscope” is pronounced “end-UH-scope.”
Scoliosis
Say: “skoh-lee-OH-sis.” Not: “score-lee-oh-sis” or “skuh-lee-oh-sis.” The Alexander technique could fight pain and improve posture.
Psoriasis
Say: “suh-RYE-uh-sis.” If you’ve never seen it written out, you might be surprised by the silent P. Here's why you should never confuse psoriasis and eczema, and other medical terms.
Electrocardiograph
Say: “ill-eck-troh-CAR-dee-uh-graf.” This is what heart doctors do to protect their own hearts.
Periodontitis
Say: “pay-ree-oh-don-TIE-tiss.” Check out these disease signs your teeth can reveal.
Pica
Say: “PIKE-uh.” It doesn’t sound like a nickname for Pikachu. Pica is one silent sign of anemia—find more here.
Gastroenterologist
Say: “gas-troh-en-ter-AH-luh-jist.” These are the things your doctor is thinking but won't say to your face.
Cochlea
Say: “COKE-lee-uh.” That’s the preferred pronunciation, though “KAHK-lee-uh” is also accepted.
Fissure
Say: “FISH-ur.” Just like someone who catches seafood.
Esophageal
Say: “iss-off-uh-JEE-ole.” The G sounds like a J. Don't miss these medical reasons you shouldn't ignore heartburn.
Interstitial cystitis
Say: “in-tur-STISH-ul sis-TIE-tis.” Find out symptoms of interstitial cystitis here.
Cerebral palsy
Say: “suh-REEB-role PAWL-zee.” These are the things you should never lie to your doctor about.
Osteopathy
Say: “ah-stee-AH-puh-thee.” Not “ah-stee-OH-puh-thee.”
Embolus
Say: “EM-buh-luss.” Not: “em-BOLE-us.”
Endodontics
Say: “en-doe-DON-tix.” Don't ignore these signs you're headed for a dental emergency.
Catheter
Say: “KATH-it-er.” Not: “kay-thut-er. Here are the medical facts everyone should know.
Homeopathy
Say: “hoe-mee-AH-puh-thee.” The E isn’t silent. These are the craziest medical cases doctors have seen on the job.
Rosacea
Say: “roe-ZAY-shee-uh.” Next, check out the common medical abbreviations you've probably seen and definitely should know.
