How to Pronounce Anencephaly
Definition, meaning, and phonetic spelling
Anencephaly Pronunciation
an-en-SEF-ah-lee
Stressed syllable in ALL CAPS · hyphens separate syllables
Syllable Breakdown
an
en
SEF
stress here
ah
lee
5 syllables
What is Anencephaly?
A serious birth defect that occurs when the neural tube fails to close completely during early fetal development, resulting in the absence of a major portion of the brain, skull, and scalp. It is always fatal, with most affected pregnancies ending in stillbirth or death within hours of birth.
Questions About Anencephaly
How do you pronounce 'anencephaly'?
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Anencephaly is pronounced 'an-en-SEF-ah-lee.' Start with 'an' (like the word 'an'), then say 'en' (rhymes with 'pen'), then stress the third syllable 'SEF' (like 'chef'), and finish with 'ah-lee.' The loudest part is SEF in the middle.
Which syllable do you stress when saying 'anencephaly'?
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You stress the third syllable: SEF. Many people mistakenly stress the first syllable 'AN,' but the correct way is an-en-SEF-ah-lee, with the emphasis on 'SEF.'
How do you break 'anencephaly' into syllables?
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The word breaks into five syllables: an-en-ceph-a-ly. This might seem like a lot, but taking it one syllable at a time makes it easier to pronounce and remember.
What do the word parts in 'anencephaly' mean?
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'Anencephaly' comes from Greek roots: 'an-' means 'without,' 'encephalo' refers to the brain, and '-y' is a suffix that turns it into a noun. So the word literally means 'without a brain' or a condition involving an absent brain.
What other medical words share the same 'encephalo' root?
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Several words use the 'encephalo' root, which means brain. Examples include 'encephalitis' (inflammation of the brain) and 'encephalopathy' (disease of the brain). Knowing this root helps you understand and say these related words.
What is a simpler way to explain what 'anencephaly' means?
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In plain English, anencephaly is a serious birth defect where a baby is born without most of the brain and skull. It's a medical term used by doctors and healthcare workers to describe this specific condition.
What is the abbreviation for 'anencephaly'?
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Anencephaly is sometimes shortened to 'ANE' in medical writing, though the full term is used most often. You would say it as three separate letters: A-N-E.
How would you use 'anencephaly' correctly in a sentence?
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You might hear a medical professional say, 'The ultrasound showed signs of anencephaly during the pregnancy.' This is a correct way to use the term when discussing or learning about the condition.