How to Pronounce Choanal Stenosis
Definition, meaning, and phonetic spelling
Choanal Stenosis Pronunciation
koh-AY-nal steh-NOH-sis
Stressed syllable in ALL CAPS · hyphens separate syllables
Syllable Breakdown
koh
AY
stress here
nal steh
NOH
stress here
sis
5 syllables
What is Choanal Stenosis?
Narrowing (rather than complete blockage) of the choanae — the posterior openings of the nasal cavity into the nasopharynx — which can be congenital or acquired from chronic inflammation or previous surgery. It causes nasal obstruction, recurrent infections, and snoring.
Questions About Choanal Stenosis
How do you pronounce 'choanal stenosis'?
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Say it like this: koh-AY-nal steh-NOH-sis. The first part rhymes with 'go,' the second part sounds like 'may,' and the stress falls on the second syllable of the first word (AY). The second word sounds similar to 'stenosis' in other medical terms, with stress on the second part (NOH).
What are the syllables in 'choanal stenosis'?
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Break it into four syllables: cho-A-nal (3 syllables) and ste-NO-sis (3 syllables). It's easier to remember if you think of it as two separate medical words stuck together, with stress on AY in the first word and NO in the second.
Which syllable gets the stress in 'choanal stenosis'?
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In 'choanal,' the stress lands on the second syllable: cho-AY-nal. In 'stenosis,' the stress lands on the second syllable: ste-NOH-sis. A common mistake is stressing the first syllable of each word (CHOW-uh-nal or STEN-uh-sis), but that's incorrect.
What do the word parts 'choan' and 'stenosis' actually mean?
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'Choan' comes from Greek and refers to the funnel-shaped openings at the back of the nasal cavity. 'Stenosis' also comes from Greek and simply means 'narrowing.' So the whole term literally means 'narrowing of those back nasal openings.'
What is the plain English meaning of 'choanal stenosis'?
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It's a medical way of saying the passages at the very back of your nose are narrower than normal. Instead of a complete blockage, the opening is just tight, which can make breathing through the nose difficult.
What's a common mispronunciation of this term?
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Many people say 'CHOW-uh-nal' or stress the first syllable, but the correct way stresses the second syllable: koh-AY-nal. Another mistake is saying 'cho-ANN-al' — remember, it's 'AY,' not 'ANN.'
Are there other medical words that use 'stenosis'?
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Yes! You'll hear 'stenosis' in many medical terms like 'tracheal stenosis' (narrowing of the windpipe) or 'spinal stenosis' (narrowing in the spine). Any time you hear 'stenosis,' it means some channel or passage in the body has become narrower.
How would you use 'choanal stenosis' in a sentence?
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Here's an example: 'The radiologist's report mentioned the patient has choanal stenosis, which explains the nasal obstruction.' This shows the term being used to describe a medical finding in a clinical setting.