How to Pronounce Nasolacrimal Duct Obstruction
Definition, meaning, and phonetic spelling
Nasolacrimal Duct Obstruction Pronunciation
nay-zoh-LAK-rih-mal DUKT ob-STRUK-shun
Stressed syllable in ALL CAPS · hyphens separate syllables
Syllable Breakdown
nay
zoh
LAK
stress here
rih
mal DUKT ob
STRUK
stress here
shun
7 syllables
What is Nasolacrimal Duct Obstruction?
Blockage of the duct that drains tears from the eye into the nasal cavity, causing epiphora (watering eye) and predisposing to dacryocystitis. In newborns it is very common and often resolves spontaneously; in adults it may require surgical opening (dacryocystorhinostomy).
Questions About Nasolacrimal Duct Obstruction
How do you pronounce 'nasolacrimal duct obstruction'?
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Say it like this: nay-zoh-LAK-rih-mul DUKT ob-STRUK-shun. The stress falls on the third syllable of the first word (LAK) and the first syllable of 'obstruction' (ob). Think of it as three separate medical terms being said together.
What does 'nasolacrimal' mean and where does it come from?
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'Naso-' comes from Latin and means nose, while '-lacrimal' comes from the Latin word for tears. So 'nasolacrimal' literally means 'relating to the nose and tears.' It describes the pathway that connects your tear system to your nasal cavity.
What is the plain English meaning of 'nasolacrimal duct obstruction'?
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It's a blockage in the tiny tube that normally drains tears from your eye down into your nose. In everyday terms, you could say someone has 'a blocked tear drain.'
What do the word parts 'naso-,' 'lacrimal,' and 'duct' each mean?
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'Naso-' means nose, 'lacrimal' means relating to tears, and 'duct' is a tube or channel in the body. When you put them together, 'nasolacrimal duct' is the tear-drainage tube that runs from the eye toward the nose.
What is a common mispronunciation of this term?
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A common mistake is putting the stress on the first syllable, saying NAY-zoh-lacrimal instead of nay-zoh-LAK-rih-mul. Remember: the stress belongs on LAK, the third syllable.
How many syllables does 'nasolacrimal' have, and where do you break it?
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It has five syllables: nay-zoh-LAK-rih-mul. Breaking it this way makes it easier to pronounce each part clearly and remember where the stress goes.
What are related medical words that share the 'lacrimal' root?
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'Dacryocystitis' and 'dacryocystorhinostomy' are related terms that also contain roots meaning tears or tear ducts. You might also hear 'epiphora,' which describes the watering eye that can happen with this condition.
Can you use this term in a simple sentence?
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You might hear a doctor say: 'The infant was diagnosed with a nasolacrimal duct obstruction in the left eye.' This sentence simply names the condition without giving any medical advice.