How to Pronounce Psoas Abscess
Definition, meaning, and phonetic spelling
Psoas Abscess Pronunciation
SOH-as AB-ses
Stressed syllable in ALL CAPS · hyphens separate syllables
Syllable Breakdown
SOH
stress here
as AB
ses
3 syllables
What is Psoas Abscess?
A collection of pus within the psoas muscle (a deep muscle of the lower back and hip), which can result from spread of infection from adjacent structures such as the spine, intestine, or urinary tract, or primary blood-borne infection. It causes hip pain, fever, and a limp, and requires drainage and antibiotics.
Questions About Psoas Abscess
How do you pronounce 'psoas abscess'?
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Psoas abscess is pronounced "SOH-as AB-ses." The first word rhymes with "so-us," and the second word sounds like "ab-cess" (rhymes with "access"). Put the stress on the first syllable of each word: **SOH**-as **AB**-ses.
Why is 'psoas' so hard to say?
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The word "psoas" starts with a silent "P," which catches people off guard. Just ignore that P at the beginning and say "SOH-as" instead. Many people accidentally try to pronounce the P, which makes it sound wrong.
How do you break 'psoas abscess' into syllables?
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The word breaks down as follows: psoas = 1 syllable (SOH-as), and abscess = 2 syllables (AB-ses). Together it's "SOH-as / AB-ses" — four syllables total with pauses between the words.
What does 'psoas' actually mean?
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Psoas comes from Greek and refers to a specific deep muscle in the lower back and hip area. The word "psoas" by itself is the name of this muscle, which is why doctors use it when talking about infections or problems in that region.
What does 'abscess' mean in plain English?
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An abscess is just a collection or pocket of pus in the body. You might hear people say "infection" or "infected pocket," which means roughly the same thing. The word "abscess" is used in many medical terms, wherever pus builds up.
What other words share the root 'psoas'?
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The word "psoas" is usually only used on its own or in "psoas abscess," since it's the name of one specific muscle. You won't find it in many other medical terms, which makes it pretty unique.
What is a common mispronunciation of 'psoas abscess'?
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A very common mistake is saying "P-SO-as" or "PSOE-us" instead of the correct "SOH-as." Another error is stressing the second syllable and saying "so-AHS," when it should be "**SOH**-as." Remembering the silent P and the front stress will help you say it right.
Can you use 'psoas abscess' in a sentence?
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Here's an example: "The radiologist identified a psoas abscess on the imaging scan." This sentence shows how doctors might use the term when describing what they see or when discussing a patient's condition.