4 syllables: sple, nec, to, my. Stress on nec.
splen-EK-tuh-mee
/splɛˈnɛktəmi/
splenectomy is pronounced splen-EK-tuh-mee (/splɛˈnɛktəmi/). It has four syllables (sple-nec-to-my), with the stress on "nec". Splenectomy is a surgical procedure to remove the spleen. It is performed for conditions such as injury, certain blood disorders, or malignancies. The term combines spleno- (spleen) with -ectomy (excision), signaling the surgical removal of the organ.
Splenectomy is a surgical procedure to remove the spleen. It is performed for conditions such as injury, certain blood disorders, or malignancies. The term combines spleno- (spleen) with -ectomy (excision), signaling the surgical removal of the organ.
"The patient underwent a splenectomy after traumatic splenic rupture."
"In cases of immune-related anemia, splenectomy may be considered when other treatments fail."
"The surgeon planned a splenectomy with careful hemostasis to minimize blood loss."
Pronounce as splɪ-NEK-tə-mi. Stress falls on the second syllable: NEK. Break it into syllables: sple-nec-to-my. The initial 'splen' sounds like spleen without the final 'n' blend; the 'e' in -ectomy is a short e as in pet. IPA guidance: US: splɪˈnɛk.tə.mi; UK/AU follow the same pattern with minor vowel length variation. Mouth position: start with a light 's' then 'pl' blend, a short 'i' in the first syllable, then a crisp 'nek' with a dental 't', ending with a relaxed 'uh-mee'.
Common errors: 1) stressing the first syllable (SPLEN-ehk-TOH-mee) instead of NEK-stress; correct by placing primary stress on NEK: splɪˈnɛk.tə.mi. 2) mispronouncing the middle 'nec' as 'neck' with a hard 'ck' before a separate syllable; treat '-nek-' as a single syllable with short e. 3) elongating the final '-omy' into '-oh-mee' instead of a quick '-ə-mi'; use a quick, unstressed '-tə-mi'.
In US, stressed on second syllable: splɪˈnɛk.tə.mi; non-rhoticity is not relevant here as there is no r-like trailing sound. UK and AU typically mirror the US in stress and segments, but vowel quality may shift slightly: US vowels tend to be shorter, UK vowels may be marginally longer with tighter final vowel; AU often features a slightly more centralized vowel in unstressed syllables. Overall, the pattern /splɪˈnɛk.tə.mi/ remains consistent across accents.
The difficulty lies in the cluster 'spl-' at the start and the mid syllable 'nek' with a short e, which can be misheard as 'sple-nek-TAH-mee' or 'splen-ec-to-mee'. The key challenges are the initial consonant blend /spl/, the short mid-vowel /ɛ/ in -nek-, and maintaining the right pace between syllables. Focus on a crisp /spl/ onset, then a distinct /ɪ/ before /ˈnɛk/. Finally, end with a quick, unstressed /tə.mi/.
Unique aspects include maintaining a clear split between syllables: sple-nec-te-mo- my isn’t correct; proper segmentation is sple-NEK-tə-mi with emphasis on NEK. Also, the 'eo' in -ectomy is typically reduced to a schwa in many speakers, so avoid pronouncing it as 'ee-oh' or 'ee-oh-mee'; keep /tə/ as a crisp, unstressed syllable and /mi/ as a light final sound.
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The word splenectomy comes from the Greek splen- (spleen) + -ectomy from the Greek ektemnein, meaning to cut out or excise. The combining form spleno- designates the spleen, derived from splen, which itself traces to the Greek splene. The suffix -ectomy entered English via Latinized forms in the 17th–18th centuries, used in medical terminology to denote surgical removal of a part. The term first appears in biomedical texts as medical science formalized organ excisions (e.g., nephrectomy, gastrectomy) during the rise of modern surgery. Over time, splenectomy became a standard diagnostic and therapeutic term, with historical shifts in indications—from traumatic injuries to hematologic and oncologic conditions—reflecting evolving surgical techniques and immunology understanding. The pronunciation settled with stress typically on the second syllable: sple-NEC-to-my (though syllable emphasis can shift slightly in some medical diction).
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Words that rhyme with "splenectomy"
-omy sounds
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