3 syllables: Ma, cu, la. Stress on Ma.
MAK-yuh-luh
/ˈmæ.kjə.lə/
Macula is pronounced MAK-yuh-luh (/ˈmæ.kjə.lə/). It has three syllables (Ma-cu-la), with the stress on "Ma". Macula is a small, oval spot on an organ or surface, notably a central area of the retina responsible for detailed central vision. In anatomy, it also refers to a small, seed-like structure in various tissues. The term is used in medical and biological contexts and denotes a distinct, localized region.
nounMacula is a small, oval spot on an organ or surface, notably a central area of the retina responsible for detailed central vision. In anatomy, it also refers to a small, seed-like structure in various tissues. The term is used in medical and biological contexts and denotes a distinct, localized region.
How to Pronounce Macula
"The ophthalmologist examined the macula to assess the patient’s central vision."
"A macula lesion can affect sharp, detailed sight."
"Researchers mapped the macula’s delicate cells to understand macular degeneration."
Pronounce as MAC-u-la, with primary stress on the first syllable. IPA US/UK/AU: US /ˈmæ.kju.lə/ (often reduced to /ˈmækjələ/ in rapid speech); UK /ˈmæk.jə.lə/; AU /ˈmæ.kjʊ.lə/. Break it into three syllables: MAC - u - la. The middle is a y- or j-sound approximating a /j/ after the /k/ cluster, so you’ll hear a /kj/ or /kju/ sequence depending on accent. Practice by saying “mac” then “you” quickly, then “la.” Audio reference: consult specialized dictionaries or Forvo for native pronunciations.
Common errors: 1) Dropping the middle /j/ diphthong, saying /ˈmæklə/ or /ˈmækjələ/ with an overly short /j/. Correction: clearly articulate /kj/ as /kju/ or /kj/ sequence: /ˈmæ.kju.lə/ or /ˈmæ.kjə.lə/. 2) Misplacing stress, giving secondary stress to the second syllable. Correction: keep primary stress on first syllable: MAC-u-la. 3) Vowel quality in the final syllable, treating it as a weak, indistinct schwa; instead, give a light but perceptible /ə/ at the end. 4) Consonant clustering: avoid pausing between /k/ and /j/; blend /k/ and /j/ with minimal release.
Differences mainly in the middle consonant and vowel: US tends to be /ˈmæ.kju.lə/ with a closer /ju/ as a syllabic diphthong; UK often /ˈmæ.kjə.lə/ with a lighter second syllable and a shorter /ə/ in the final syllable; AU often /ˈmæ.kjʊ.lə/ with a more centralized /ʊ/ in the second syllable. Rhoticity is not strongly relevant here, but vowel length and r-coloredness don’t apply. The key is how you articulate /kj/ versus /kju/ and the degree of vowel reduction in the final syllable.
It’s tricky because of the /kj/ cluster after /k/ and the final weak syllable. The /kj/ or /kju/ transition requires careful tongue blade positioning: raise the body of the tongue toward the palate to start the /j/ release while maintaining a clean /k/ closure; the final /lə/ often reduces to a quick, unstressed schwa. Mastery demands precise timing: secure /k/ release, glide into /j/ without a hiatus, and keep final /lə/ short and subdued.
A unique nuance is the second syllable’s yield: it often contains a tight coupling of /kj/ or /kju/ that sounds either like ‘kyu’ or ‘kyo’ depending on accent. In careful speech, you’ll clearly enunciate the /j/ component and avoid running the syllables together too quickly, which can blur the /kj/ into /kɡ/ or a simple /k/ followed by /u/. Practice by isolating MAC - /kj/ - la, then blend.
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US: Strong /æ/ in MAC; keep /ju/ as a centered palatal approximant; final /ə/ often reduced. UK: /æ/ rather than /æɪ/; middle /j/ less intense. AU: a slightly more centralized middle vowel; /ʊ/ or /ju/ depending on speaker. IPA cues: US /ˈmæ.kju.lə/; UK /ˈmæ.kjə.lə/; AU /ˈmæ.kjʊ.lə/. Vowel qualities: /æ/ as in cat; /ju/ as in you; /ə/ as in gentleman. Pay attention to rhoticity and final syllable crispness.
Macula comes from Latin macula, meaning a small spot, stain, or blemish. The root mac- relates to ‘mark’ or ‘spot,’ seen in words like macula, macula lutea (the yellow spot of the retina), and macular. In anatomical usage, the term was extended in the 18th–19th centuries as anatomists described small, localized areas within organs. The Latin macula itself derives from macula, a diminutive of macula, associated with marks or stains. The modern sense in ophthalmology — the Central retina area responsible for high-acuity vision — crystallized as histological understanding of retinal structure advanced in the 19th and 20th centuries. First known medical uses appear in early anatomical texts describing the retina; later, the phrase macula lutea became standard, distinguishing the yellowish central region from surrounding tissue. Over time, the term broadened to mean any small spot or patch in general biological morphology, retaining its Latin root sense of a marked area.
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Words that rhyme with "Macula"
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