4 syllables: Cho, les, tas, is. Stress on les.
koh-LES-tuh-sis
/koʊˈlɛstəsɪs/
Cholestasis is pronounced koh-LES-tuh-sis (/koʊˈlɛstəsɪs/). It has four syllables (Cho-les-tas-is), with the stress on "les". Cholestasis is a medical condition characterized by a reduction or stoppage of bile flow, leading to a buildup of bile acids in the liver and bloodstream. It can be caused by liver disease, bile duct obstruction, or pregnancy-related factors, and is diagnosed by clinical symptoms and laboratory tests. Understanding the term helps distinguish specific hepatobiliary disorders in clinical contexts.
nounCholestasis is a medical condition characterized by a reduction or stoppage of bile flow, leading to a buildup of bile acids in the liver and bloodstream. It can be caused by liver disease, bile duct obstruction, or pregnancy-related factors, and is diagnosed by clinical symptoms and laboratory tests. Understanding the term helps distinguish specific hepatobiliary disorders in clinical contexts.
- You often misplace the primary stress, saying co-LE-sta-sis instead of co-le-STa-sis; fix by clapping the rhythm and marking the stressed syllable. - The second syllable vowel /ɛ/ is easy to flatten to /e/; keep it distinct from the first syllable’s vowel by simple mouth positioning: lower jaw slightly more for /ɛ/. - The ending -sis can become /zɪs/ or /sɪs/; practice ending with a soft, clipped /sɪs/ rather than a voiced /zɪs/; aim for a crisp /sɪs/.
How to Pronounce Cholestasis
"The patient was diagnosed with cholestasis after persistent jaundice and elevated conjugated bilirubin."
"Cholestasis during pregnancy requires careful monitoring to prevent fetal distress."
"Her study focused on the molecular pathways involved in cholestasis and liver injury."
Pronounce as /koʊˌlɛsˈteɪ.sɪs/ in US, with the primary stress on -teɪ- and a secondary rhythm on the -les-; in UK/ AU, it’s often /ˌkəʊ.lesˈteɪ.sɪs/. Start with a clear 'ko' (like 'coat'), then 'les' (like 'less'), then 'ta' (rhyming with 'day'), and end with 'sis' (like 'siss'). IPA helps you lock in the stressed syllable and avoid /koʊˈlɛs.tæ.sɪs/ mistakes.
Common errors include stressing the first syllable incorrectly (ko-LE-sta-sis instead of co-LE-sta-sis) and mispronouncing the 'stasis' as 'tas-is' or 'stay-sis'. The vowel in the second syllable should be a clear /ɛ/ (as in 'bet'), and the third syllable has a long /eɪ/; keep the 'st' cluster clean. Practice linking the second and third syllables without inserting extra syllables.
In US, the typical rhythm is co-LES-ta-sis with a clearer /ɪ/ at the end and secondary stress on -les-. UK/AU may reduce the final /ɪs/ slightly or articulate it as /ɪs/ with non-rhoticity affecting the vowels around r-less contexts. The initial /koʊ/ in US can be reduced to /kəʊ/ in UK/AU; ultimately, the key is the /ˈteɪ/ syllable prominence. Listen for vowel quality differences in the first and second syllables.
The challenge comes from the multi-syllabic structure and the 'stasis' ending, which blends /st/ and /æsɪs/. The long diphthong in the second syllable /ˈteɪ/ and the final /ɪs/ can trip speakers if they’re not careful about syllable boundaries. Practicing minimal pairs and recording yourself helps you hear the subtle vowel shifts and keep primary stress on the third syllable.
There are no silent letters in standard pronunciation; every letter contributes to sound. The 'h' is silent in practice because it often blends with the initial 'Ch' as /k/ plus the /oʊ/ sequence, but you should still articulate the onset clearly as /koʊ/ or /kəʊ/ depending on accent. Emphasize the syllable break after /koʊ/ or /kəʊ/.
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- US: rhotic approximations don't affect cholestasis much, but ensure the /oʊ/ in first syllable; use a clear /ˌkoʊˌlɛˈsteɪ.sɪs/ with primary stress on teɪ. - UK: often /ˌkəʊ.lesˈteɪ.sɪs/ with a more reduced first vowel; keep non-rhoticity in mind, almost dropping r-like sounds; focus on final /ɪs/ being lightly released. - AU: similar to UK but may have more vowel brevity; maintain /ˌkəʊ.lesˈteɪ.sɪs/ with crisp syllable boundaries.
Cholestasis derives from the combining form chole- from Greek chole, meaning bile, and -stasis from Greek histasthai, meaning to place or stop. The term entered medical vocabulary in the 19th century as clinicians sought precise language to describe bile flow disruption. Early descriptions linked cholestasis to obstructive jaundice and hepatocellular injury, with later refinements emphasizing both intrahepatic (within the liver) and extrahepatic (outside the liver) causes. The suffix -stasis has long been used in medicine to denote a stopping or slowing, such as hemostasis, and its pairing with chole- creates a specific diagnosis: stagnation of bile. Over time, cholestasis has become a umbrella term for a spectrum of conditions, including intrahepatic cholestasis of pregnancy and drug-induced cholestasis, reflecting evolving understandings of pathophysiology and bile acid transport. First known use appears in 19th-century medical texts describing obstructive jaundice and bile retention; it has since become a standard term in hepatology, obstetrics, and pharmacology, with precise diagnostic criteria and terminology in modern guidelines.
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Words that rhyme with "Cholestasis"
-sis sounds
Practice with these rhyming pairs to improve your pronunciation consistency:
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