How to Pronounce Vocal Cord Paralysis
Definition, meaning, and phonetic spelling
Vocal Cord Paralysis Pronunciation
VOH-kal KORD pair-ah-LY-sis
Stressed syllable in ALL CAPS · hyphens separate syllables
Syllable Breakdown
VOH
stress here
kal KORD pair
ah
LY
stress here
sis
5 syllables
What is Vocal Cord Paralysis?
A condition in which one or both vocal cords are unable to move normally due to nerve damage (to the recurrent laryngeal nerve), which in children can be congenital (present from birth, often associated with other brain or cardiac abnormalities) or acquired after cardiac surgery. Bilateral vocal cord paralysis causes severe breathing difficulty requiring tracheotomy, while unilateral paralysis causes a hoarse, weak cry and may improve spontaneously.
Questions About Vocal Cord Paralysis
How do you pronounce 'vocal cord paralysis'?
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Say it like this: VOH-kal KORD pair-ah-LY-sis. The first word rhymes with 'local,' the second word sounds like 'cord' (as in a rope), and the last word ends with 'sis' like in 'analysis.' The stress falls on the first syllable of the first word and the last syllable of the last word.
What's the correct way to break down 'vocal cord paralysis' into syllables?
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Break it into four parts: vo-cal / cord / par-a-ly-sis. That's two syllables in 'vocal,' one syllable in 'cord,' and four syllables in 'paralysis.'
Which syllable gets the stress when you say this term?
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You stress the first syllable of 'vocal' (VOH-kal) and the last syllable of 'paralysis' (pair-ah-LY-sis). A common mistake is stressing the wrong part of 'paralysis'—remember it's the 'LY' sound that's emphasized, not any of the earlier syllables.
What does 'vocal cord' mean in everyday language?
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'Vocal cords' are the two small folds inside your voice box (larynx) that vibrate together to make sound when you talk or sing. They're not actually cords like a rope—the name just describes their shape.
What does 'paralysis' mean?
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'Paralysis' means the inability to move or the loss of normal movement in a part of the body. It comes from a Greek word meaning 'to loosen' or 'to disable.'
What does 'vocal cord paralysis' mean in plain English?
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It's a condition where one or both of the vocal cords inside your voice box can't move the way they normally should. When the cords don't move properly, they can't vibrate correctly to produce sound.
Are there any related words that use the same 'paralysis' root?
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Yes! Words like 'paralyze' (the verb form), 'paralyzing,' and 'paralyzer' all come from the same Greek root. You'll also hear 'paralytic' used to describe something related to paralysis.
How would you use 'vocal cord paralysis' correctly in a sentence?
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You might say: 'The patient was diagnosed with vocal cord paralysis after experiencing a weak voice for several weeks.' Or: 'Vocal cord paralysis affects how the voice sounds and how air moves through the larynx.'