How to Pronounce Trisomy 18
Definition, meaning, and phonetic spelling
Trisomy 18 Pronunciation
TRY-soh-mee AY-teen
Stressed syllable in ALL CAPS · hyphens separate syllables
Syllable Breakdown
TRY
stress here
soh
mee AY
teen
4 syllables
What is Trisomy 18?
Also called Edwards syndrome, this is a severe chromosomal condition caused by having three copies of chromosome 18, resulting in numerous birth defects affecting the heart, brain, kidneys, and other organs. Most affected pregnancies end in miscarriage, and the majority of liveborn infants do not survive past the first year.
Questions About Trisomy 18
How do you pronounce 'trisomy 18'?
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Say it as TRY-soh-mee AY-teen. The first part rhymes with 'try,' the second part sounds like 'so' plus 'mee' (like the letter M), and the last part is just the number 18 said out loud. The stress falls on the first syllable: TRY.
What does 'trisomy' mean?
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The word 'trisomy' comes from 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, it means three copies of chromosome 18 instead of two.
Why is it called both 'trisomy 18' and 'Edwards syndrome'?
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Trisomy 18 is the scientific name that describes what's happening (having three chromosome 18s), while Edwards syndrome is named after Dr. John Edwards, who first described this condition in 1960. Both names are correct and used in medical settings, though doctors often use the number-based name.
How do you break 'trisomy 18' into syllables?
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Trisomy breaks into three syllables: TRI-so-my. The number 18 is just said as 'eighteen' (ay-teen), giving you four syllables total: TRI-so-my AY-teen.
What's the most common mistake when pronouncing 'trisomy 18'?
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Many people stress the wrong syllable and say tri-SOH-mee instead of TRY-soh-mee. Remember: the emphasis belongs on the first syllable, which rhymes with 'try,' not 'tree.'
Is there a short way to write or say 'trisomy 18'?
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Yes, doctors often abbreviate it as T18. You simply say the letter T followed by the number 18. You might also hear it referred to as Edwards syndrome in conversation.
What other words share the 'trisomy' root?
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You'll hear 'trisomy 21' (also called Down syndrome) and 'trisomy 13' (also called Patau syndrome). All of these use the same 'trisomy' root because they all involve having three copies of a chromosome instead of two.
Can you use 'trisomy 18' in a simple sentence?
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Sure! Here's an example: 'The genetic counselor explained that trisomy 18 occurs when a person has three copies of chromosome 18 instead of the typical two.' This sentence shows how medical professionals use the term when discussing chromosomal conditions.