7 syllables: My, e, lo, me, nin, go, cele. Stress on go.
meye-uh-loh-men-ing-GOH-seel
/maɪ ə loʊ mɛn ɪŋ ˈɡoʊ siːl/
Myelomeningocele is pronounced meye-uh-loh-men-ing-GOH-seel (/maɪ ə loʊ mɛn ɪŋ ˈɡoʊ siːl/). It has seven syllables (My-e-lo-me-nin-go-cele), with the stress on "go". Myelomeningocele is a type of neural tube defect where the spinal cord and meninges protrude through a gap in the spine. It is a serious congenital anomaly typically presenting at birth and requiring surgical correction and lifelong management. The term emphasizes the involvement of the spinal cord (myelo-), meninges (meningo-), and the protrusion (cele).
nounMyelomeningocele is a type of neural tube defect where the spinal cord and meninges protrude through a gap in the spine. It is a serious congenital anomaly typically presenting at birth and requiring surgical correction and lifelong management. The term emphasizes the involvement of the spinal cord (myelo-), meninges (meningo-), and the protrusion (cele).
"The newborn was diagnosed with myelomeningocele and referred to pediatric neurosurgery."
"Specialized multidisciplinary care is essential for a child with myelomeningocele."
"Researchers are exploring fetal interventions to reduce the severity of myelomeningocele."
Pronounce as /ˌmaɪˌeɪlˌoʊˌmɪŋɡoˈsiːl/. Break it into three parts: myelo- (/ˈmaɪ.əˌloʊ/), meningo- (/ˈmɛn.ɪŋˌɡoʊ/), and -cele (/siːl/). The primary stress is on the final -cele (siːl), with secondary stress on the middle -meningo-. Start with a clear /maɪ/ followed by an /ˈeɪ/ diphthong, then a light /l/ before the /oʊ/ of myelo. In careful medical speech: MY-eh-LOH-MING-go-SI-el. Audio examples can be found on Pronounce or Forvo for hearing exact timing and rhythm.
Common errors: misplacing the syllable stress on the wrong part (e.g., /ˌmaɪˌeɪˌloʊˌmɪŋˈɡoʊsiːl/), truncating the middle 'meningo' to /ˈmɪŋɡo/ or skipping syllables, and mispronouncing 'myelo' as /ˈmaɪlɪoʊ/ or failing to pronounce the /ŋɡo/ cluster clearly. Correction: slow down to pronounce each morpheme: /ˌmaɪˌeɪˌloʊˌmɛnɪŋɡoˈsiːl/; emphasize -siːl at the end; ensure the /ŋ/ and /ɡ/ are held together as /ŋɡ/. Use minimal pair practice with a focused listen-and-repeat routine.
US: rhotic, preferring /ˈmɪlˌoʊˌmɛnɪŋˌɡoʊˈsiːl/ with clear /r/ not relevant here; but midsyllabic vowels are distinct. UK: non-rhotic vowel quality, with clearer vowel separation and slightly different vowel lengths in /ɪ, ɛ/, and final /siːl/. AU: similar to UK but with softer vowels and a more connected speech rhythm; watch the /ˌeɪ/ vs /ɛ/ distinctions. Critical is maintaining the -ce/le ending as /siːl/ and the /ŋɡo/ cluster. Listen to regional medical pronunciations to refine rhythm in context.
It combines multiple morphemes with several affixes: myelo-, meningo-, and -cele. The tricky parts are the /ˈmɛnɪŋɡo/ sequence and the final /siːl/ with a long vowel. The /ŋɡ/ cluster can blur in rapid speech, and the long, multi-syllabic word stresses the final syllable in clinical use, which can override natural English rhythm. Practice slow, then speed up while keeping the /ŋɡ/ steady and the final /siːl/ elongated.
Focus on isolating three morphemes: myelo-, meningo-, and -cele. Start with /ˌmaɪˌeɪloʊ/ (myelo) and ensure the /l/ is clear before the /oʊ/. Then /mɛnɪŋɡo/ (meningo) with a crisp /ŋɡ/ cluster. Finish with /siːl/ where you hold the vowel as a long /iː/. Put the segments together slowly, then increase tempo while maintaining the final elongated /iːl/ sound. Recording yourself helps enforce even timing.
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Myelo- derives from the Greek myelos, meaning marrow or spinal cord, and refers to the spinal cord structure involved. Meningo- comes from meninges, the membranes surrounding the brain and spinal cord. -cele comes from the Greek kele, meaning tumor, hernia, or swelling, used in medical terms to denote protrusion or herniation. The term reflects a congenital defect in which the spinal canal fails to close properly, allowing the spinal cord and meninges to protrude through a gap. The first part of the word traces the anatomical components (myelo- + meningo-), while -cele documents the protrusion. The word entered medical usage in the 19th and early 20th centuries as anatomy and embryology advanced, with early clinicians describing neural tube defects and their anatomical manifestations. In practice, the term is used to specify a severe form of spina bifida where both the spinal cord and meninges herniate, distinguishing it from spina bifida occulta and other neural tube defects. Historical descriptions evolved from generic “spinal defects” to precise nomenclature, mirroring progress in imaging, surgical repair, and neonatal care. The phrase appears in medical literature as a compound of Greek roots, standardized in modern medical English to communicate a specific congenital pathology clearly to specialists and families alike.
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