How to Pronounce Trisomy 13
Definition, meaning, and phonetic spelling
Trisomy 13 Pronunciation
TRY-soh-mee THER-teen
Stressed syllable in ALL CAPS · hyphens separate syllables
Syllable Breakdown
TRY
stress here
soh
mee THER
teen
4 syllables
What is Trisomy 13?
Also called Patau syndrome, this is a severe chromosomal condition caused by having three copies of chromosome 13, resulting in profound intellectual disability and serious defects of the brain, heart, and other organs. It is usually fatal within the first days or weeks of life.
Questions About Trisomy 13
How do you pronounce 'Trisomy 13'?
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Trisomy 13 is pronounced TRY-soh-mee THER-teen. The first part rhymes with "try," the middle sounds like "so" with an "mee" at the end, and the second word sounds like "thirteen" but with a "th" sound at the beginning instead of a "th" blend.
Which syllable gets the stress when you say 'Trisomy 13'?
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The stress falls on the first syllable: TRY-soh-mee THER-teen. A common mistake is stressing the middle syllable (tri-SOM-ee), but you should emphasize the beginning of the word instead.
How do you break 'Trisomy 13' into syllables?
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Trisomy breaks into four syllables: TRY-so-my. The number 13 is simply said as "thirteen" (THER-teen). Together it's four syllables for the medical term plus two for the number.
What do the word parts of 'Trisomy' mean?
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The word 'trisomy' comes from two Greek roots: 'tri' means three, and 'soma' means body or chromosome. So trisomy literally means having three of something instead of the usual two—in this case, three copies of a chromosome.
Is there a shorter way to refer to Trisomy 13?
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Yes, doctors sometimes call it T13 (pronounced "T thirteen") for short. You might also hear the alternative name Patau syndrome (pronounced puh-TAU SIN-drohm), which is named after the doctor who first identified it.
What does 'Trisomy 13' mean in plain English?
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Trisomy 13 is a condition where a person has three copies of chromosome 13 instead of the usual two. In simple terms, it's a chromosomal difference that affects how the body develops.
How would you use 'Trisomy 13' correctly in a sentence?
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You might say, "The genetic counselor explained that Trisomy 13 occurs when there are three copies of chromosome 13." Or: "Medical professionals use ultrasound to look for signs associated with Trisomy 13 during pregnancy."
Are there other 'trisomy' conditions with similar names?
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Yes! You'll hear about Trisomy 21 (Down syndrome) and Trisomy 18 (Edwards syndrome). They all follow the same naming pattern—the number tells you which chromosome has three copies instead of two.