How to Pronounce Aniridia
Definition, meaning, and phonetic spelling
Aniridia Pronunciation
an-ih-RID-ee-ah
Stressed syllable in ALL CAPS · hyphens separate syllables
Syllable Breakdown
an
ih
RID
stress here
ee
ah
5 syllables
What is Aniridia?
A rare congenital eye disorder in which the iris (the colored part of the eye) is partially or completely absent due to a mutation in the PAX6 gene, resulting in extreme light sensitivity (photophobia), poor vision, and an increased risk of glaucoma, cataracts, and corneal disease. It is frequently associated with Wilms tumor when caused by a contiguous gene deletion (WAGR syndrome).
Questions About Aniridia
How do you pronounce 'aniridia'?
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Aniridia is pronounced "an-ih-RID-ee-ah." The stress falls on the third syllable, which rhymes with "rid." Say it like you're saying "an" (like the article), then "ih" (like the letter I), then emphasize "RID," and finish with "ee-ah."
What syllables make up the word 'aniridia'?
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The word breaks down into four syllables: an-i-rid-i-a. Each syllable is short and separate, which makes the word easier to pronounce when you take it one piece at a time.
Which syllable do you stress when saying 'aniridia'?
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You stress the third syllable: "RID." A common mistake is to stress the first syllable and say "AN-ih-ridia," but the correct way puts the emphasis on "rid" in the middle of the word.
What do the word parts in 'aniridia' mean?
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The word comes from Greek and Latin roots. "An-" means "without," and "irid-" refers to the iris (the colored part of the eye). So "aniridia" literally means "without iris" or a condition where the iris is missing or very underdeveloped.
What other medical words share the root 'irid-'?
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Words like "iridology" (the study of the iris), "iridectomy" (surgical removal of part of the iris), and "iritis" (inflammation of the iris) all use the same root. This root always has to do with the iris of the eye.
How would you use 'aniridia' in a sentence?
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You might hear: "Her diagnosis of aniridia was confirmed after the doctor examined her eyes under magnification." This sentence uses the term to name the eye condition without giving medical advice.
Is there a shorter way to write or say 'aniridia'?
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Aniridia is typically written and said in full—there isn't a common abbreviation. Sometimes doctors might refer to it by the related genetic name WAGR syndrome if other features are present, but "aniridia" itself is the standard term.
What's an everyday way to understand what 'aniridia' means?
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Think of aniridia as a condition where a person is born with little to no colored part of the eye (the iris). It's a rare eye condition that someone has from birth, not something that develops later in life.