How to Pronounce Paresthesia
Definition, meaning, and phonetic spelling
Paresthesia Pronunciation
par-es-THEE-zhah
Stressed syllable in ALL CAPS · hyphens separate syllables
Syllable Breakdown
par
es
THEE
stress here
zhah
4 syllables
What is Paresthesia?
An abnormal sensation such as tingling, tickling, prickling, burning, or numbness of the skin with no apparent physical cause. The familiar sensation of a limb "falling asleep" is a common example; persistent paresthesia may indicate nerve damage.
Questions About Paresthesia
How do you pronounce paresthesia?
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Paresthesia is pronounced par-es-THEE-zhah. The stress falls on the third syllable (THEE), which should sound like the "th" in "the" followed by "ee." The final syllable rhymes with "ah" in "spa."
What are the syllables in paresthesia?
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Paresthesia breaks into four syllables: par-es-the-sia. When you say it out loud, you'll pause slightly between each part: PAR (first), es (second), THEE (third, stressed), and zhah (fourth).
Which syllable do people stress incorrectly?
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Many people mistakenly stress the first syllable, saying PAR-es-thee-zhah instead of par-es-THEE-zhah. Remember: the stress belongs on the third syllable, the one that sounds like "THEE."
What do the word parts of paresthesia mean?
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Paresthesia comes from Greek roots: "para" means "abnormal" or "beside," and "esthesia" relates to "sensation" or "feeling." Together, they literally mean "abnormal sensation," which is exactly what the word describes.
What is a simple, everyday way to understand paresthesia?
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Paresthesia is the medical name for that "pins and needles" or "falling asleep" feeling you get when you sit on your leg too long or sleep on your arm wrong. It's any weird tingling, burning, or numb sensation on your skin.
What are some related medical words that use the same root?
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Several medical terms share the "esthesia" root, including anesthesia (loss of sensation), hyperesthesia (increased sensation), and dysesthesia (abnormal or unpleasant sensation). They all describe different ways the body senses or doesn't sense things.
Is there a short form or abbreviation for paresthesia?
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Paresthesia is sometimes shortened to "parasthesia" in casual writing, but there is no standard medical abbreviation. Doctors usually write out the full word or use the related adjective "paresthetic" when describing the sensation itself.
Can you use paresthesia in a sentence?
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Here's an example: "She described a paresthesia in her fingertips, noting that they felt tingly and numb." This sentence shows how the word is used to name a type of abnormal sensation someone experiences.