How to Pronounce Cornelia de Lange Syndrome
Definition, meaning, and phonetic spelling
Cornelia de Lange Syndrome Pronunciation
kor-NEE-lee-ah deh LANG-eh SIN-drohm
Stressed syllable in ALL CAPS · hyphens separate syllables
Syllable Breakdown
kor
NEE
stress here
lee
ah deh LANG
eh SIN
drohm
6 syllables
What is Cornelia de Lange Syndrome?
A genetic developmental disorder caused by mutations in cohesion complex genes (most commonly NIPBL), characterized by distinctive facial features (thick eyebrows that meet in the middle, thin upper lip), growth retardation, limb abnormalities (ranging from small hands to absent forearms), intellectual disability, and behavioral issues. Severity varies widely from mild to profound.
Questions About Cornelia de Lange Syndrome
How do you pronounce Cornelia de Lange Syndrome?
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Say it like this: kor-NEE-lee-ah deh LANG-eh SIN-drohm. The stress falls on the second part, NEE, so you emphasize that syllable when you say the word. The "de" and "Lange" parts come from the syndrome's name origin, so they're pronounced with a softer sound.
What's the most common way people mispronounce this term?
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Many people stress the wrong syllable and say cor-NEEL-yah instead of kor-NEE-lee-ah, or they rush through the "de Lange" part too quickly. Remember: NEE is the loud part, and take your time saying "de LANG-eh" clearly so it doesn't blur together.
How many syllables does Cornelia de Lange Syndrome have?
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The whole term has 8 syllables: Cor-NEE-lee-ah (4) + de (1) + LANG-eh (2) + SIN-drohm (1). Breaking it into chunks like this makes it easier to say without stumbling.
What does 'syndrome' mean in medical terms?
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A syndrome is a group of signs or features that happen together and have a common cause. In medical language, when doctors use the word "syndrome," they're saying "this is a pattern of related characteristics that doctors recognize as one condition."
Where does the name Cornelia de Lange Syndrome come from?
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The syndrome is named after Cornelia de Lange, a Dutch pediatrician who first described it in detail in 1933. The "de" is a Dutch word particle, similar to how some names include "van" or "von." So the name literally means the syndrome was identified by this doctor.
Is there a short way to write or say this condition?
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Yes, doctors often abbreviate it as CdLS, which you say as "C-D-L-S" (letter by letter). Some people also just call it "Cornelia de Lange" without saying the full word "syndrome" when talking informally among medical professionals.
What other medical words share the root 'syndrome'?
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Many conditions use the word syndrome, like Down syndrome, Williams syndrome, and Marfan syndrome. Whenever you see "syndrome" at the end of a medical condition name, you know it means a recognized group of features that go together.
Can you use this word in a sentence?
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Here's an example: "The genetics counselor explained that Cornelia de Lange Syndrome results from mutations in specific genes." This shows how you'd use the full medical name in a clear, professional way.