How to Pronounce Supernumerary Rib
Definition, meaning, and phonetic spelling
Supernumerary Rib Pronunciation
soo-pur-NOO-mer-air-ee RIB
Stressed syllable in ALL CAPS · hyphens separate syllables
Syllable Breakdown
soo
pur
NOO
stress here
mer
air
ee RIB
6 syllables
What is Supernumerary Rib?
An extra rib, most commonly a cervical rib arising from the seventh cervical vertebra, which can compress the brachial plexus or subclavian vessels as they pass over it, causing thoracic outlet syndrome symptoms. It is found in approximately 1 percent of the population and is more common in women.
Questions About Supernumerary Rib
How do you pronounce 'supernumerary rib'?
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Say it like this: soo-pur-NOO-mer-air-ee RIB. The stress (loudest part) falls on the third syllable: NOO. The first word rhymes with "super" but with extra syllables, and "rib" is pronounced like the bone in your chest.
What does 'supernumerary' mean in plain English?
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Supernumerary means "extra" or "more than the normal number." So a supernumerary rib is simply an extra rib beyond the usual amount that people have.
How many syllables does 'supernumerary' have?
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The word 'supernumerary' has five syllables: su-per-NU-mer-ar-y. Notice that the stress lands on the third syllable (NU), not the first one—this is a common mistake people make when saying this word.
What are the word parts in 'supernumerary' and where do they come from?
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The word breaks into two Latin parts: 'super' (meaning "over" or "above") and 'numerary' (meaning "of or relating to number"). Together, they describe something that goes beyond the expected number of things.
What is a common mispronunciation of 'supernumerary'?
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Many people stress the first syllable, saying 'SU-per-numerary,' but that's incorrect. The correct stress is on the third syllable: 'su-per-NOO-mer-air-ee.' This shift in stress changes how the word sounds and can make it hard to understand.
What other medical words share the root 'super'?
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Several medical terms use 'super,' including 'superficial' (near the surface) and 'suprapubic' (above the pubic bone). They all use 'super' or 'supra' to mean something is positioned above or beyond something else.
How would you use 'supernumerary rib' in a sentence?
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You might hear it in a sentence like: "The radiologist noted in her report that the patient had a supernumerary rib on the left side." It's a straightforward medical term used to describe this anatomical variation.
Is there a short way to write or say 'supernumerary rib'?
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There isn't one standard abbreviation for this term, so it's usually written and spoken out in full as 'supernumerary rib.' Sometimes doctors may shorten it to just 'cervical rib' if they're being more specific about the location.