How to Pronounce Ptosis
Definition, meaning, and phonetic spelling
Ptosis Pronunciation
TOH-sis
Stressed syllable in ALL CAPS · hyphens separate syllables
Syllable Breakdown
TOH
stress here
sis
2 syllables
What is Ptosis?
Drooping of the upper eyelid due to weakness or paralysis of the muscles that raise the lid, which can partially or completely block vision. In ENT contexts, it can be a sign of Horner's syndrome (from a neck mass or apical lung tumor) or a third cranial nerve palsy.
Questions About Ptosis
How do you pronounce 'ptosis'?
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Ptosis is pronounced TOH-sis. The first syllable rhymes with 'go,' and the second syllable rhymes with 'hiss.' The stress falls on the first syllable: TOH-sis, not toh-SIS.
Why does 'ptosis' start with a 'p' that's silent?
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The word comes from Greek, where the 'p' at the beginning is indeed silent. You don't say the 'p'—just start with the 't' sound. This silent 'p' is common in medical words borrowed directly from Greek.
What does the Greek root 'ptosis' actually mean?
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The word comes from the Greek word 'ptosis,' which means 'a falling' or 'a drooping.' Medical professionals use it because the condition involves something falling or drooping down.
How many syllables does 'ptosis' have?
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Ptosis has 2 syllables: pto-sis. When you say it aloud, you'll hear two distinct sounds: TOH (first syllable) and sis (second syllable).
What's a simple way to explain what 'ptosis' means?
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In plain English, ptosis means a drooping or sagging, usually of the eyelid. It's the medical word doctors use when the upper eyelid hangs down more than it should.
What's a common mispronunciation of 'ptosis'?
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A common mistake is saying the 'p' sound at the beginning (saying 'P-TOH-sis') or stressing the second syllable (toh-SIS). Remember: the 'p' is silent, and you stress the first syllable—TOH-sis.
Are there related medical words that use the same Greek root?
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Yes! Words like 'nephroptosis' (drooping of a kidney) and 'gastroptosis' (drooping of the stomach) use the same 'ptosis' root. In each case, the first part of the word tells you what is drooping.
How would you use 'ptosis' correctly in a sentence?
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You might hear a doctor say, 'The patient has ptosis of the left eyelid,' meaning the left upper eyelid is drooping. Or: 'The eye exam revealed mild ptosis that required further investigation.'