Medicine

Medical Terms that Sound Like Unrelated Words

In medicine, we have an extended vocabulary set that is mainly composed of anatomic terms derived from Latin and Greek. Medical-ese, if you will. Sometimes, they resemble unrelated words in common parlance, but they are best not confused for obvious reasons. Following are a few examples of many:

1.

  • ephemera (uh-FE-mer-uh) — 1. objects that are meant to be used only for a short time; 2. such objects that become collectibles, such as ticket stubs or handwritten missives
  • femora (FE-mer-uh) — the thigh bones

2.

  • hypothesis (hi-PAH-thi-sis) — a tentative assumption made for testing its logical consequences
  • hypophysis (hi-PAH-fi-sis) — the pituitary, a vital pea-sized endocrine gland attached to the base of the brain

3.

  • uncle — a brother of one’s parents
  • uncal — relating to the uncus, the anterior portion of the parahippocampal gyrus

4.

  • hippocampus – the medial portion of the temporal lobe, an essential component in the limbic system
  • hippo campus – where hippopotami hang out

5.

  • mucus (MEW-kuhs) — a slimy, viscous fluid secreted by the glands of mucous membranes to moisten, lubricate, or otherwise protect surfaces
  • Lucas (LOO-kuhs) — a Biblical name meaning luminous or white; in 2019 the 8th most popular American baby boy name

6.

  • petechial (puh-TEE-kee-uhl) — relating to punctate subcutaneous hemorrhages
  • Ezekiel (ih-ZEE-kee-uhl) — a Hebrew prophet of 6th century BCE; in 2019 the 71st most popular American baby boy name

7.

  • tamponade (TAM-pe-nod) — a dangerous condition in which abnormal fluid in the pericardial space restricts cardiac function
  • tapenade (TAH-pe-nod) — a spread of olives, capers, and anchovies

8.

  • chordae – the fibers which tether the cardiac valves, colloquially the heartstrings
  • core day – a scheduled workout day dedicated to strengthening abdominal muscles

9.

  • circumflex – the third coronary artery which perfuses the lateral wall of the heart’s left ventricle
  • sir, come flex – self-explanatory

10.

  • policies (PO-li-sees) — defined courses or methods of action selected from among alternatives and in light of given conditions to guide and determine present and future decisions
  • pollicis (PO-li-sis) — relating to the thumb

11.

  • artistic process — a enigmatic combination of imagination, creativity, and craft that drives the output of creative people
  • styloid process — a slender bony spike on the skull’s undersurface

12.

  • plantar — relating to the sole of the foot
  • planter — a decorative container in which plants are grown

13.

  • palmar — relating to the palm of the hand
  • palm oil — edible oil derived primarily from the fruit of Elaeis guineensis; the red subtype is useful as a salve such as for dry palmar skin

14.

  • buccinator — a flat thin muscle in the cheek comprising the lateral sidewall of the oral cavity
  • buccaneer — a pirate, particularly in the 17th or 18th century Caribbean

15.

  • extant — still in existence; the opposite of extinct
  • explant — surgically excise a foreign body; the opposite of implant
  • expat — shortened form of expatriate: a person residing in country not of one’s own upbringing; the opposite of immigrant, kind of
  • extract — a concentrated preparation of a substance (see: vanilla extract); the opposite of diluent

16.

  • plastic — a deformable synthetic material comprised of polymers
  • blastic — relating to formative processes; the opposite of clastic (see next)
  • clastic –a type of rock composed of fragments of older rocks

17.

  • cortex— the outer layer of an organ (cerebral cortex, cerebellar cortex, renal cortex)
  • Core Techs — an information services company in Kernersville, NC
  • Cory texts — digital messages from my friend uptown
  • Gore-Tex® — a waterproof breathable fabric invented in 1969

18.

  • adductor (AY-DEE-DUCK-tur) — muscle that pulls a limb towards midline
  • abductor (AY-BEE-DUCK-tur) — muscle that pulls a limb away from midline

Though these are both medical terms, they are so difficult to distinguish that we spell out the first two letters, even in full-speed regular conversation. This is fruitless; we conflate them regardless.

19.

  • mesenchyme (ME-zin-KIME) — a broad collective of embryonal tissue that develops into connective tissue including bone, tendons, blood, and lymph
  • lemon lime (LE-min LIME) — a delicious combination flavor of two citrus fruits
  • Yemen time (YE-min TIME) — Arabian Standard Time (GMT+3)

20.

  • fenestral (fi-NESS-troll) — relating to windows, such as anatomic openings
  • finessed troll (fi-NESSED troll) — a capable provocateur