HEALTH CARE

35 Medical Words You Always Mispronounce

Marissa Laliberte

Never fear making a fool out of yourself at the doctor’s office again.

Tinnitus

Emma Kapotes/Rd.com, iStock

Say: “TIN-it-us.” That’s how doctors say it, but they’re used to hearing “ti-nite-us” too. These are the medical words you should never get confused.

Ophthalmologist

Emma Kapotes/Rd.com, iStock

Say: “off-thull-MAH-luh-just.” Your eye doctor will want you to take a closer look at all the letters: There’s an H after the P, so it should make an F sound. And don’t forget the first L!

Diabetes

Emma Kapotes/Rd.com, iStock

Say: “die-uh-BEE-teez.” Not: “die-uh-bee-tuss.”

Alzheimer’s disease

Emma Kapotes/Rd.com, iStock

Say: “ALTS-hy-murz.” The Z isn’t hard like you might think it is. And definitely don’t make the mistake of calling it “old timer’s disease.”

Kegel exercises

Emma Kapotes/Rd.com, iStock

Say: “KAY-gull.” Not “kee-gull.”

Otolaryngologist

Emma Kapotes/Rd.com, iStock

Say: “oh-toe-lar-en-GAH-luh-jist.” This is the outrageous hospital lingo doctors and nurses use behind your back.

Acid reflux

Emma Kapotes/Rd.com, iStock

Say: “A-sid REE-flux.” Not: “acid reflex.”

Dilate

Emma Kapotes/Rd.com, iStock

Say: “DIE-late.” No need to make it three syllables by saying “die-uh-late.”

Prescription

Emma Kapotes/Rd.com, iStock

Say: “pri-SKRIP-shun.” Not “per-skrip-shun.” By the way:

Diphtheria

Emma Kapotes/Rd.com, iStock

Say: “dif-THEER-ee-uh.” The “ph” sounds like an F, not a P. Here are the healthcare terms everyone needs to know.

Mastectomy

Emma Kapotes/Rd.com, iStock

Say: “mass-TEK-toe-mee.” Don’t skip over the first T.

Oophorectomy

Emma Kapotes/Rd.com, iStock

Say: “oh-uh-fuh-WRECK-tuh-mee.” It’s not an “oof” sound like it looks like.

Anesthetist

Emma Kapotes/Rd.com, iStock

Say: “an-ES-thi-tist.” Unlike “anesthesia,” it has a short E sound. These are the secrets your health insurance company is keeping from you.

Prostate

Emma Kapotes/Rd.com, iStock

Say: “PRAH-state.” Not to be confused with prostrate, meaning to lie flat on the ground.

Diarrhea

Emma Kapotes/Rd.com, iStock

Say: “die-uh-REE-uh.” Not “die-ree” or “die-uh-rear.” Check out what your stomach pain means here.

Febrile

Emma Kapotes/Rd.com, iStock

Say: “FEB-rile.” Not “feeb-roll.” These are clear signs you’re getting sick.

Colonoscopy

Emma Kapotes/Rd.com, iStock

Say: “koe-lun-AH-skuh-pee.”

Endoscopy

Emma Kapotes/Rd.com, iStock

Say: “end-AH-skuh-pee.” But don’t get confused—“endoscope” is pronounced “end-UH-scope.”

Scoliosis

Emma Kapotes/Rd.com, iStock

Say: “skoh-lee-OH-sis.” Not: “score-lee-oh-sis” or “skuh-lee-oh-sis.” The Alexander techniquecould fight pain and improve posture.

Psoriasis

Emma Kapotes/Rd.com, iStock

Say: “suh-RYE-uh-sis.” If you’ve never seen it written out, you might be surprised by the silent P. Here’s why you should never confuse psoriasis and eczema, and other medical terms.