How to Pronounce Anal Atresia
Definition, meaning, and phonetic spelling
Anal Atresia Pronunciation
AY-nal ah-TREE-zhah
Stressed syllable in ALL CAPS · hyphens separate syllables
Syllable Breakdown
AY
stress here
nal ah
TREE
stress here
zhah
4 syllables
What is Anal Atresia?
A congenital malformation (also called imperforate anus or anorectal malformation) in which the anal opening is absent, sealed, or incorrectly positioned, preventing the passage of stool and constituting a neonatal emergency requiring surgical correction. Associated anomalies are common, particularly in boys, and include sacral defects, genitourinary abnormalities, and spinal cord abnormalities (as part of the VACTERL association).
Questions About Anal Atresia
How do you pronounce 'anal atresia'?
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Anal atresia is pronounced AY-nal ah-TREE-zhah. The first part rhymes with 'say,' the second part sounds like 'nal,' then 'ah' like the letter 'a,' then 'TREE' like the word 'tree,' and it ends with 'zhah' (the 'zh' sounds like the 's' in 'measure').
Which syllable gets the stress in 'anal atresia'?
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The stress falls on the first syllable: AY-nal ah-TREE-zhah. A common mistake is stressing the middle syllable, but you should emphasize 'AY' at the very beginning.
How do you break 'anal atresia' into syllables?
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The term breaks into four syllables: AY-nal a-TRE-zhah. 'Anal' is two syllables (AY-nal), and 'atresia' is two syllables (ah-TREE-zhah).
What does 'atresia' mean?
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The word 'atresia' comes from Greek roots meaning 'without an opening.' The prefix 'a-' means 'without' or 'not,' and '-tresia' refers to an opening or passage. You'll see this root in other medical terms like 'esophageal atresia' (no opening in the food pipe).
What does 'anal atresia' mean in plain English?
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Anal atresia means there is no anal opening, or the opening is blocked or in the wrong place. It's sometimes called an 'imperforate anus' or 'anorectal malformation,' which are other medical names for the same condition.
What other medical words use the root 'atresia'?
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Several conditions use the '-atresia' ending because they all involve missing or blocked openings. Examples include esophageal atresia (blocked food pipe), biliary atresia (blocked bile ducts), and pulmonary atresia (blocked valve in the heart).
How would you use 'anal atresia' in a sentence?
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You might hear a doctor say: 'The imaging findings are consistent with anal atresia' or 'This patient has a diagnosis of anal atresia.' The term is used to name and discuss the specific condition.
Is there a short form or abbreviation for 'anal atresia'?
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Anal atresia is sometimes abbreviated as AA, though this abbreviation is less commonly used than the full term. You may also hear it shortened to just 'atresia' when the context makes it clear which body part is being discussed.