quote:
Arleen posted 08-15-98 07:24 PM ET (US)
---------------------------------------------Annie just posted this in another thread, and I decided to start a thread for sound-alikes (letters/words, etc.).
I started a file (to be posted sometime in the future when I have more time [uh-huh] to work on it on MT Desk), but figured it wouldn't hurt to put the partial list up here too.
Please feel free to add your own sound-alikes.
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Annie's post:
One thing to keep in mind when you're going to search through any reference - the word you're hearing sure may sound like it starts with an 's' - but don't forget to look under 'f' or 'ph' or even 'pf', if you can't find it under 's' Think of every possible OTHER letter/combination what you're hearing could be.
Annie
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I'd like to add other "S" sounds - ps, cs, and occasionally may actually be saying "th"
Here's a partial list I started a while ago:
and or "N"
I and D (not IND) incision and drainage
INR (not I and R) (anticoagulation monitoring parameter)
T and A (not TNA) tonsillectomy and adenoidectomy
anion gap - not iron
"B" - look under "V" also - B's and V's are often difficult to distinguish
elicit/illicit - elicit a response; illicit - illegal; illicit drugs.
facial/fascial - facial - pertaining to the face; fascial - pertaining to the anatomic layer/sheath covering of muscles
fascicular/vesicular/vascular
glans, gland (glans part of penis anatotomy - glans penis)
Hasson trocar - not Hassan (incorrect in some older references)
loop, loupe (loupe - as in a lens - loupe magnification; loop of bowel, suture loop)
mediastinal/median sternotomy (median sternotomy is a surgical procedure; mediastinal refers to the anatomical structure "mediastinum")
oral/aural/aura - oral (mouth); aural (ear)/aura (visual precursor to some migraine headaches
osteal/ostial
ostiomeatal NOT osteomeatal
perineum, peritoneum
perineal, peroneal (perineal and perineum refer to groin/genital area; peroneal refers to the fibula area or peroneal nerve)
plane/plain - anatomical plane; plain
suture, plain x-ray.
Rockey-Davis (NOT rocky)
shotty lymph nodes NOT shoddy (lymph nodes resemble feel of buckshot)
"T" - look under "pt" as in ptosis (pronounced toe-sis); often "P" and "T" are difficult to distinguish
tidal volume - not total volume (PFTs)
Veress needle - not Verres (incorrect in some older references)
vowels - if you think a word starts with a vowel, try looking under "N" - Example: Word sounds like "avicular" - correct word is navicular. Often the "N" sound is so soft, you may not hear it. Also, if the previous word ends with an "S" sound, try adding an "S" to the beginning of the word you're trying to figure out.
ureter, urethra (ureteral, urethral) - Hint: There are two ureters, left and right; therefore, any references in the plural or referring to the left or right would indicate ureter.
[This message has been edited by Arleen (edited 08-16-98).]
lorelei posted 08-16-98 10:25 AM ET (US)
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Great list! Just wanted to add CNS (central nervous system) versus C&S (culture and sensitivities); also have a reminber on my desk, because I never remember, that vesicle is a blister, vesical refers to the bladder.
lorelei posted 08-16-98 12:08 PM ET (US)
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found some more, sorry if duplicated above:
access/axis/excess
acidic/ascitic
alkalosis/ankylosis
appraise/apprise
complement/compliment
cystitome/cystotome
diathesis/diaphysis
dilatation/dilation
discreet/discrete
immanent/imminent
ensure/insure
incidents/incidence
instillation/installation
scatoma/scotoma
separation/suppuration
and, of course, the English language itself is full of them!
Annie posted 08-16-98 09:31 PM ET (US)
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One I thought of today
iliac -- relating to the ilium (portion of the hip bone)
ileac -- relating to the ileum (third portion of the small intestine)
Annie
Kelly D posted 08-17-98 12:11 AM ET (US)
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Oh, this is too much fun!!! I have a couple.
avulsion--tearing away or forcible separation
evulsion--forcible pulling out or extraction
affusion--pouring of water upon the body or any of its parts for therapeutic purposes
effusion--escape of fluid from blood vessels or lymphatics into the tissues or cavity
dysphasia--lack of coordination in speech
dysphagia--difficulty swallowing
Now, if I could only get all these words in alphabetical order!!! I will keep it right next to my computer for quick reference!
Keep 'em coming!!!!
DiannaB posted 08-22-98 02:49 PM ET (US)
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Hi everyone! I'm new to this site and it's very exciting. I am an MT student, taking a course at home, so finding a place like this has been very enlightening. Had to get registered so I could respond to this wonderful list of sound alikes. It's great!! I even printed. Keep them coming, I plan on checking this page often.. Thank you so much.
Annie posted 08-22-98 05:49 PM ET (US)
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Here's another 'slant' on the same theme.
Some acronyms are often pronounced as words.
Examples: "cabbage" for CABG
"smack" for SMAC
I had one the other day I went insane looking for - doctor said "vacteral" - it turned out to be VACTERL (vertebral abnormalities, anal atresia, cardiac abnormalities, tracheoesophageal fistula, renal agenesis and dysplasia and limb defects)
Just keep this in mind when you're looking for a word - and can't find it - it could be an abbrevation pronounced like a word. Take the time to check it out.
In the meantime - I'm trying to think of some more.
Arleen posted 08-22-98 07:00 PM ET (US)
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