How to Pronounce Dorsum Sellae
Definition, meaning, and phonetic spelling
Dorsum Sellae Pronunciation
DOR-sum SEL-ee
Stressed syllable in ALL CAPS · hyphens separate syllables
Syllable Breakdown
DOR
stress here
sum SEL
ee
3 syllables
What is Dorsum Sellae?
The flat plate of bone projecting upward at the back of the sella turcica in the sphenoid bone, forming the posterior wall of the pituitary fossa. The posterior clinoid processes project from its upper corners.
Questions About Dorsum Sellae
How do you pronounce 'dorsum sellae'?
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Say it like this: DOR-sum SEL-ee. The first word rhymes with 'forum,' and the second word sounds like 'celery' without the 'ry' at the end. Put the stress on the first syllable of the first word: DOR-sum.
What does 'dorsum sellae' break down into syllables?
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The term has four syllables total: DOR-sum (two syllables) and SEL-ee (two syllables). When you say it out loud, it flows as: DOR-sum SEL-ee.
Which syllable gets the stress in 'dorsum sellae'?
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The stress falls on the first syllable: DOR. A common mistake is putting equal stress on all syllables or stressing the second word instead—remember to emphasize DOR-sum and say the rest more lightly.
What do the word parts 'dorsum' and 'sellae' actually mean?
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Both words come from Latin. 'Dorsum' means 'back' or 'ridge,' and 'sellae' comes from 'sella,' which means 'saddle.' Together, the term describes a saddle-shaped structure with a ridge or plate at the back.
What is the plain English meaning of 'dorsum sellae'?
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It's simply 'the back wall' of a specific saddle-shaped bone cavity in your skull. Think of it as the raised backrest of the saddle-shaped structure.
What is 'sella turcica' and how does it relate to 'dorsum sellae'?
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'Sella turcica' (SEL-uh TUR-sik-uh) is the saddle-shaped bony cavity itself, and 'dorsum sellae' is the flat bone plate that forms the back wall of that cavity. So dorsum sellae is a part of the larger sella turcica structure.
What other medical words share the root 'dorsum'?
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'Dorsal' (relating to the back) and 'dorsolateral' (back and to the side) both share the same Latin root meaning 'back.' These words all describe structures or directions toward the back of the body.
How would you use 'dorsum sellae' in a sentence?
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Here's an example: 'The radiologist noted that the dorsum sellae appeared intact on the imaging study.' This sentence simply identifies the structure as something visible and measurable, without any medical judgment.