How to Pronounce Cloacal Exstrophy
Definition, meaning, and phonetic spelling
Cloacal Exstrophy Pronunciation
kloh-AY-kal EK-stroh-fee
Stressed syllable in ALL CAPS · hyphens separate syllables
Syllable Breakdown
kloh
AY
stress here
kal EK
stroh
fee
5 syllables
What is Cloacal Exstrophy?
A severe and rare congenital defect in which the abdominal organs (bladder and intestines) are exposed outside the body, associated with absence of the lower abdominal wall. It requires major reconstructive surgery and has lifelong genitourinary consequences.
Questions About Cloacal Exstrophy
How do you pronounce 'cloacal exstrophy'?
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Say it like this: kloh-AY-kal EK-stroh-fee. The first word rhymes with 'show' and 'bay,' and the second word sounds like 'ek' (like the letter K) followed by 'stroh-fee.' The stress falls on the first syllable of the first word (KLOH) and the first syllable of the second word (EK).
How many syllables does 'cloacal exstrophy' have?
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'Cloacal' has three syllables: KLOH-ay-kal. 'Exstrophy' has three syllables: EK-stroh-fee. Together, the full term has six syllables.
Which syllables get the stress in this term?
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The first syllable of 'cloacal' gets the main stress: KLOH-ay-kal. The first syllable of 'exstrophy' also gets stress: EK-stroh-fee. A common mistake is stressing the second syllable of 'cloacal' (clay-AY-kal), which is incorrect.
What does 'cloacal' mean, and where does it come from?
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'Cloacal' comes from the Latin word 'cloaca,' which means a sewer or drainage system. In medical language, it refers to a body structure or area involved in waste and reproductive functions. This root appears in other medical terms too, like 'cloacal membrane.'
What does 'exstrophy' mean?
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'Exstrophy' comes from Latin roots meaning 'to turn outward' or 'to push out.' In medical terms, it describes a condition where an internal organ or tissue is turned inside-out or pushed outside the body where it normally wouldn't be.
What does 'cloacal exstrophy' mean in simpler terms?
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The term describes a condition in which certain abdominal organs are exposed on the outside of the body instead of being tucked inside where they belong. It's a severe birth condition that requires major surgery to repair.
Are there related medical words that use 'exstrophy'?
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Yes! You'll hear terms like 'bladder exstrophy' (where just the bladder is exposed) and 'epispadias exstrophy.' These all use the same root word 'exstrophy,' which means something is turned or pushed outward.
What's a common mispronunciation I should avoid?
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People sometimes say 'KLOH-ack-ul' (rhyming 'cloaca' with 'back') or stress the wrong syllable like 'klo-AY-kal.' The correct way is KLOH-ay-kal, with the stress on the first syllable, and 'exstrophy' should be EK-stroh-fee, not 'ex-STRAW-fee.'
How would you use 'cloacal exstrophy' in a sentence?
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You might hear it in a medical education setting like this: 'The pediatric surgeon explained the anatomy of cloacal exstrophy to the medical students.' It's a term used mainly by healthcare professionals when discussing this specific condition.