How to Pronounce Tendinous Xanthoma

Say it like this: TEN-dih-nus zan-THOH-mah. The first word rhymes with 'sending,' and the second word starts with 'zan' (like the name Zan) followed by 'THOH' (rhymes with 'go'). The stress falls on the first syllable of each word: TEN and THOH.

Tendinous means 'relating to or made of tendons.' Tendons are the tough cords that connect your muscles to your bones. When doctors use the word 'tendinous,' they're talking about something that involves or belongs to a tendon.

Xanthoma comes from a Greek word meaning 'yellow growth' or 'yellow deposit.' The 'xanth' part means yellow, and 'oma' means a growth or collection. It describes a buildup of fatty material that can appear yellowish.

Break it like this: ten-DIN-ous zan-THO-ma. The first word has three syllables, and the second word also has three syllables. When you say it slowly, each syllable gets its own beat.

Many people accidentally stress the second syllable and say 'ten-DIN-us' instead of 'TEN-din-us.' Others rush through xanthoma and say 'zan-THOE-muh' with the stress in the wrong place. Remember: stress the first syllable of each word.

You'll see 'xanth' in words like xanthosis (a yellowish discoloration), xanthic (relating to yellow), and xanthelasma (yellowish deposits on the eyelid). All of these words have the Greek root meaning 'yellow.'

You might hear it in a sentence like: 'The doctor noted tendinous xanthomas in the patient's Achilles tendon during the examination.' This simply describes where the fatty deposits were observed.

Sometimes doctors just say 'xanthoma' when the context makes it clear they're talking about the tendon type. You may also see it written as 'tendinous xanthomas' (plural) if there are multiple deposits.