How to Pronounce Lordosis
Definition, meaning, and phonetic spelling
Lordosis Pronunciation
lor-DOH-sis
Stressed syllable in ALL CAPS · hyphens separate syllables
Syllable Breakdown
lor
DOH
stress here
sis
3 syllables
What is Lordosis?
An inward (concave) curve of the spine. While the cervical and lumbar curves are normally lordotic, excessive lordosis (hyperlordosis or swayback) in the lumbar region can cause lower back pain and may indicate weak abdominal muscles.
Questions About Lordosis
How do you pronounce 'lordosis'?
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Say it like this: lor-DOH-sis. The stress falls on the middle syllable, which rhymes with 'go.' The first part sounds like 'lor' (rhymes with 'or'), and the last part is 'sis' (rhymes with 'hiss').
What are the syllables in 'lordosis'?
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The word breaks into three syllables: lor-do-sis. If you say each part separately and then speed them up together, you'll get the full word.
Which syllable in 'lordosis' gets the stress?
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The second syllable—'do'—is stressed, so you emphasize it when you say the word. A common mistake is stressing the first syllable instead, but 'LOR-do-sis' is incorrect; the right way is 'lor-DOH-sis.'
What does 'lordosis' mean in plain English?
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Lordosis describes an inward curve of the spine—think of the natural 'C' shape your lower back makes when you stand up straight. The word refers to this type of curve when it exists in the neck or lower back area.
Where does the word 'lordosis' come from?
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It comes from the Greek word 'lordos,' which means 'bent backward' or 'curved inward.' The suffix '-osis' is a medical ending that means 'a condition of,' so the full term literally means 'a condition of being curved inward.'
Are there related words that share the 'lordosis' root?
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Yes! 'Lordotic' is the adjective form (meaning 'relating to an inward curve'), and 'hyperlordosis' means an excessive inward curve. You'll also hear 'kyphosis,' which is the opposite—an outward curve of the spine.
Can you use 'lordosis' in a sentence?
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Sure! Here's an example: 'The spine naturally has some lordosis in the neck and lower back regions.' This shows that lordosis is a normal part of spine anatomy, not automatically a problem.
What's the abbreviation for lordosis?
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There isn't a single standard abbreviation for lordosis itself, but doctors sometimes use 'LL' for lumbar lordosis (lordosis in the lower back). When you see it written, it's usually just spelled out as 'lordosis.'