How to Pronounce Enterocele

Enterocele is pronounced EN-ter-oh-seel. The first syllable "EN" rhymes with "pen," the second syllable "ter" sounds like "tur" in "butter," the third syllable "oh" sounds like the letter "O," and the final syllable "seel" rhymes with "feel." Put the strongest stress on the first syllable: EN-ter-oh-seel.

Many people mistakenly stress the second or third syllable, saying en-TER-oh-seel or en-ter-OH-seel. The correct way is to stress the first syllable: EN-ter-oh-seel. Remembering that "enter" (like the key on your keyboard) starts the word can help you get the stress right.

Enterocele breaks into four syllables: EN-ter-o-cele. You can also write it as EN-ter-oh-seel using the phonetic spelling to make it easier to say out loud.

Enterocele comes from two Greek word parts: "entero-" which means "small intestine" and "-cele" which means "a hollow" or "a hernia" (a bulging or pouching). So the word literally means "a hernia of the small intestine."

In plain English, an enterocele is a bulge in the vaginal wall where part of the small intestine pushes through the weakened tissue. Think of it like a section of the intestine is creating a pocket in the vaginal wall instead of staying in its normal position.

Several medical words use "-cele" to mean a type of hernia or bulge. Examples include hydrocele (a fluid collection), rectocele (a bulge of the rectum), and cystocele (a bulge of the bladder). All of these words follow the same pattern: a body part name plus "-cele."

Here's an example: "The doctor used the word enterocele to describe the condition shown on the patient's ultrasound." Or: "During the pelvic exam, the healthcare provider looked for signs of enterocele or other pelvic changes."

Enterocele is sometimes abbreviated as EC in medical charts and notes, though the full term is more commonly used when speaking or writing about this condition.