How to Pronounce Pectus Excavatum
Definition, meaning, and phonetic spelling
Pectus Excavatum Pronunciation
PEK-tus eks-kah-VAH-tum
Stressed syllable in ALL CAPS · hyphens separate syllables
Syllable Breakdown
PEK
stress here
tus eks
kah
VAH
stress here
tum
5 syllables
What is Pectus Excavatum?
Also called funnel chest, this is a congenital deformity in which the sternum (breastbone) and several ribs grow abnormally, causing the chest to have a sunken appearance. Severe cases can compress the heart and lungs, reducing exercise tolerance.
Questions About Pectus Excavatum
How do you pronounce pectus excavatum?
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Pectus excavatum is pronounced PEK-tus eks-kah-VAH-tum. The first word rhymes with "sector," and the second word sounds like "excavate" with an "um" at the end. The stress falls on the first syllable of each word: PEK and VAH.
What does the stressed syllable sound like in pectus excavatum?
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The main stress falls on PEK (the first syllable of pectus) and VAH (the third syllable of excavatum). A common mistake is stressing the wrong part, like saying pek-TUS or ex-kah-vah-TUM instead. Listen for the emphasis on PEK-tus and eks-kah-VAH-tum to say it correctly.
How do you break pectus excavatum into syllables?
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Pectus breaks into two syllables: PEK-tus. Excavatum breaks into four syllables: eks-kah-VAH-tum. Put them together and you have six syllables total: PEK-tus eks-kah-VAH-tum.
What do the word parts 'pectus' and 'excavatum' mean?
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Both words come from Latin. "Pectus" means "chest" or "breast," and "excavatum" means "hollowed out" or "scooped out." Together, pectus excavatum literally describes a chest that is hollowed out or sunken inward.
What is the everyday or simpler name for pectus excavatum?
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The most common everyday name is "funnel chest" because the chest looks like it's been scooped inward, similar to the shape of a funnel. Some people also call it a "sunken chest."
What other medical words share the 'pectus' root?
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Several medical terms use "pectus." Pectus carinatum (kar-ih-NAH-tum) means a chest that sticks outward like a bird's breastbone, and pectoralis refers to the chest muscles. All of these words trace back to the Latin word for chest.
How would you use pectus excavatum correctly in a sentence?
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You might say: "The radiologist noted that the patient has pectus excavatum" or "Pectus excavatum is a term used to describe a sunken breastbone." The phrase is used as a medical diagnosis or description of a chest shape.
What is a common mispronunciation of pectus excavatum?
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A common mistake is saying "PECK-tus" instead of "PEK-tus," or pronouncing excavatum as "ex-CAVE-ah-tum" instead of "eks-kah-VAH-tum." Remember that the stress in excavatum lands on the third syllable (VAH), not the second.