3 syllables: Pa, tel, la. Stress on tel.
puh-TEL-uh
/pəˈtɛlə/
Patella is pronounced puh-TEL-uh (/pəˈtɛlə/). It has three syllables (Pa-tel-la), with the stress on "tel". Patella is a medical term for the kneecap, a small flat bone that sits over the knee joint. It protects the joint and improves leverage for thigh muscles. In anatomy, it is often discussed in relation to ligaments, tendons, and knee mechanics.
nounPatella is a medical term for the kneecap, a small flat bone that sits over the knee joint. It protects the joint and improves leverage for thigh muscles. In anatomy, it is often discussed in relation to ligaments, tendons, and knee mechanics.
"The patella tracks within the femoral groove as you straighten your leg."
"In this anatomy lecture, we examine the patella’s role in knee extension."
"Fractures of the patella require careful immobilization and rehabilitation."
Pronounce as puh-TEL-uh, with primary stress on the second syllable. IPA US: /pəˈtɛl.ə/, UK: /pəˈtɛl.ə/. Start with a relaxed, neutral schwa for the first syllable, then clearly articulate /ˈtɛl/ in the stressed position, and finish with a light /ə/. Audio reference: try slower, then normal speed using a medical pronunciation tool or dictionary audio to match /pəˈtɛl.ə/ in your accent.
Common errors include misplacing stress (saying pa-TEL-la), and substituting /ɛ/ with /iː/ or mispronouncing the final schwa as a full vowel. Another issue is conflating with 'patella' in other languages with different vowels. Correction tips: keep primary stress on the second syllable, use a short, lax /ə/ for the first and last syllables, and ensure the middle vowel is a clear /ɛ/. Practice with minimal pairs like patella vs. pelletta to train the middle vowel.
US and UK both use the /pəˈtɛl.ə/ structure with rhotic influence minimal in knee-term. US tends to be a slightly weaker first syllable vowel; UK often maintains crisp /ˈtɛl/ with less vowel reduction in final -ə. Australian generally follows US patterns but with a slightly more centralized vowel in the first syllable. In all, the middle /tɛl/ is the anchor; the main differences are vowel quality and final schwa timing.
The challenge lies in the three-syllable sequence with a stress shift from the first to the second syllable and the quick transition into a light final schwa. The middle /tɛl/ cluster requires precise tongue contact to avoid turning into /telə/ or /teɪˈlæ/. Practicing with slow, deliberate transitions helps; focusing on the IPA /pəˈtɛl.ə/ ensures you maintain the schwa and avoid vowel lengthening in rapid speech.
Patella often triggers hesitation in non-native speakers due to its irregular stress pattern amid medical terms. The first syllable is unstressed, but the second syllable carries the main stress. Remember the 't' is crisp, not softened, and the final /ə/ is reduced. Using the IPA as a guide, practice the sequence /pə ˈtɛl.ə/ slowly, then mirror a native speaker’s speed in a medical context to ensure the rhythm stays natural.
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Patella comes from Latin patella, meaning a small pan or dish, diminutive of patina. In Latin, patella referred to a shallow pan or dish used in cooking or serving, and by extension to the small flat bone in the knee due to its flat, rounded shape resembling a small pan. The anatomical term emerged in medical Latin usage, retaining its diminutive form to denote a small, rounded bone within the knee joint. The term entered English medical vocabulary during the Renaissance as anatomical dissections and Latin-based nomenclature spread through European teaching, aligning with other bone names like pelvis, fibula, and tibia. Its use became standardized in anatomy texts, with the modern English spelling and pronunciation solidifying by the 18th and 19th centuries as medical education expanded. First known use in English medical literature appears in anatomical treatises of the late 1600s to early 1700s, reflecting the growing precision of Latin-derived terminology in anatomy. The word’s pronunciation has stabilized, though regional variations influence pitch and vowel quality across languages that borrow the term.
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Help others use "Patella" correctly by contributing grammar tips, common mistakes, and context guidance.
💡 These words have similar meanings to "Patella" and can often be used interchangeably.
🔄 These words have opposite meanings to "Patella" and show contrast in usage.
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Words that rhyme with "Patella"
-lla sounds
Practice with these rhyming pairs to improve your pronunciation consistency:
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