How to Pronounce Seborrheic Keratosis
Definition, meaning, and phonetic spelling
Seborrheic Keratosis Pronunciation
seb-oh-REE-ik keh-ruh-TOH-sis
Stressed syllable in ALL CAPS · hyphens separate syllables
Syllable Breakdown
seb
oh
REE
stress here
ik keh
ruh
TOH
stress here
sis
7 syllables
What is Seborrheic Keratosis?
Seborrheic keratosis is a common, non-cancerous skin growth that appears as a waxy, scaly, "stuck-on" brown or black patch, typically in older adults. Although they can look alarming, they are entirely benign and do not require treatment unless they become irritated or are bothersome cosmetically.
Questions About Seborrheic Keratosis
How do you pronounce 'seborrheic keratosis'?
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Say it like this: seb-oh-REE-ik keh-ruh-TOH-sis. The stress falls on the second syllable of the first word (REE) and the second syllable of the second word (TOH). Think of it as "seb-oh-REE-ik" (three syllables) followed by "keh-ruh-TOH-sis" (four syllables).
What is the most common mispronunciation of this term?
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Many people stress the wrong syllable and say "SEB-or-ay-ic" instead of "seb-oh-REE-ik." Remember: the emphasis goes on the REE sound in the middle, not at the beginning. Another mistake is rushing through the second word and saying "ker-uh-TOE-sis" instead of clearly pronouncing the final "sis" sound.
Can you break 'seborrheic keratosis' into syllables?
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Sure! The first word breaks down as: seb-o-RHE-ic (4 syllables), and the second word is: ker-a-TO-sis (4 syllables). When you say it aloud, remember to stress the RHE in the first word and the TO in the second word.
What do the word parts 'seborrheic' and 'keratosis' actually mean?
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"Seborrheic" comes from two Latin roots: "sebum" (oil produced by skin) and "rhea" (flow or discharge). "Keratosis" comes from "keratin" (a protein in skin) and "-osis" (a condition). So the term literally describes an oily, scaly skin growth, though that's a very technical way to say it.
What is a simpler way to say 'seborrheic keratosis'?
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In everyday language, this is often called a "seborrheic wart" or simply a "seborrheic growth." However, these terms aren't actually related to warts—dermatologists prefer the full medical name because it's more precise and accurate.
Is there a short abbreviation for seborrheic keratosis?
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Doctors sometimes use the abbreviation "SK" when writing or speaking quickly, but this is less common in patient-facing conversations. The full term "seborrheic keratosis" is almost always used when explaining this condition to patients.
What other medical words share the root 'keratosis'?
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You might hear words like "actinic keratosis" or "keratotic lesion"—they all use the same root "kerato-" (meaning keratin or skin protein) combined with different prefixes. Understanding that "-osis" means "a condition" can help you recognize and remember these related terms.
How would you use 'seborrheic keratosis' correctly in a sentence?
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A doctor might say: "The growth on your shoulder is a seborrheic keratosis." Or: "Seborrheic keratosis is very common and appears more often as people age." The term is used as a noun to name the specific type of skin growth.