How to Pronounce Dilation and Curettage
Definition, meaning, and phonetic spelling
Dilation and Curettage Pronunciation
dy-LAY-shun and kyoo-reh-TAHZH
Stressed syllable in ALL CAPS · hyphens separate syllables
Syllable Breakdown
dy
LAY
stress here
shun and kyoo
reh
TAHZH
stress here
5 syllables
What is Dilation and Curettage?
A procedure commonly called D&C in which the cervix is dilated and a curette (a spoon-shaped instrument) is used to remove tissue from the inside of the uterus for diagnostic or therapeutic purposes.
Questions About Dilation and Curettage
How do you pronounce 'dilation and curettage'?
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Say it like this: dy-LAY-shun and kyoo-reh-TAHZH. The stress falls on the second syllable of 'dilation' (LAY) and the last syllable of 'curettage' (TAHZH). Put the emphasis on those parts and say the rest more lightly.
How many syllables does 'dilation' have?
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The word 'dilation' has three syllables: di-LAY-shun. The middle syllable gets the stress, so it sounds louder and longer than the others.
What does 'curettage' mean in plain English?
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Curettage comes from the word 'curette,' which is a spoon-shaped medical tool. So 'curettage' simply means the act of scraping or cleaning with that instrument. It's not a scary word—it just describes what the tool does.
What's the short form for 'dilation and curettage'?
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The short form is D&C (pronounced 'dee and see'). You'll hear doctors and medical staff use this abbreviation all the time because it's much faster to say than the full term.
What's a common mispronunciation of 'curettage'?
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Many people say 'cur-EE-tij' or 'kyoo-RET-ij,' but the correct way is kyoo-reh-TAHZH. The stress goes on the last syllable, not the middle one. Remember: the 'age' at the end sounds like 'ahzh,' similar to how you say 'garage.'
Where does the word 'curettage' come from?
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It comes from the French word 'curette,' which means a small spoon-shaped scraper. The ending '-age' turns it into a noun describing the action, just like how 'clean' becomes 'cleaning.'
How would you use 'dilation and curettage' in a sentence?
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You might hear: 'The doctor explained what dilation and curettage involves' or 'The patient was scheduled for a D&C next week.' It's used as a straightforward medical term when talking about or understanding the procedure.
Why is 'dilation and curettage' two words instead of one?
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Because it describes two separate actions that happen during the procedure: first the cervix is dilated (opened), and then curettage (scraping) is performed. Saying it as two words helps clarify that these are two distinct steps.