How to Pronounce Synkinesis
Definition, meaning, and phonetic spelling
Synkinesis Pronunciation
sin-KIN-eh-sis
Stressed syllable in ALL CAPS · hyphens separate syllables
Syllable Breakdown
sin
KIN
stress here
eh
sis
4 syllables
What is Synkinesis?
Abnormal involuntary co-contraction of muscles innervated by different branches of the facial nerve during a voluntary movement, occurring as a sequela (aftereffect) of facial nerve recovery after Bell's palsy or other injuries. For example, the eye may close when the patient smiles, or the lip may move when blinking.
Questions About Synkinesis
How do you pronounce synkinesis?
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Synkinesis is pronounced sin-KIN-eh-sis. The stress falls on the second syllable (KIN), so you say it a bit louder and longer than the others. A helpful way to remember: think "SIN" then "KIN-eh-sis," with the middle part getting the emphasis.
How do you break synkinesis into syllables?
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Synkinesis breaks into four syllables: syn-ki-ne-sis. Each syllable gets one beat when you say the word slowly: SYN (beat 1), KI (beat 2), NE (beat 3), SIS (beat 4).
What is the most common mispronunciation of synkinesis?
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Many people accidentally stress the first syllable and say "SYN-kin-eh-sis" instead of "sin-KIN-eh-sis." Remember: the stress belongs on the second syllable (KIN), not the first one.
What do the word parts of synkinesis mean?
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Synkinesis comes from two Greek roots: 'syn-' means "together" and 'kinesis' means "movement." Put together, the word literally means "movement together"—which describes muscles moving together when they shouldn't be.
What does synkinesis mean in plain English?
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Synkinesis means unwanted muscle movements that happen together. It's when one facial muscle moves at the same time as another muscle, even though you only meant to move one of them.
Are there other medical words that use the root 'kinesis'?
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Yes! Other words with 'kinesis' include hyperkinesis (excessive movement) and akinesia (inability to move). All of these words share the Greek root for movement, so spotting that root can help you understand similar medical terms.
Can you use synkinesis in a sentence?
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Here's an example: "The doctor observed synkinesis in the patient's face when involuntary eye movement occurred during smiling." This shows how the word is used to describe the unwanted muscle response happening at the same time as a voluntary movement.
Why is it important to pronounce synkinesis correctly?
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Getting the stress on the right syllable (KIN) makes the word much easier for others to understand when you're discussing it with healthcare providers or reading medical information. Correct pronunciation also helps you remember and recognize the word more easily in the future.