4 syllables: Tor, ti, col, lis. Stress on col.
tawr-tik-OL-is
/tɔɹtɪˈkɒlɪs/
Torticollis is pronounced tawr-tik-OL-is (/tɔɹtɪˈkɒlɪs/). It has four syllables (Tor-ti-col-lis), with the stress on "col". Torticollis is a neuromuscular condition characterized by a sustained twisted neck and abnormal head position, often due to muscular spasm or congenital issues. It can involve tilting, turning, or bending of the head to one side, frequently with shoulder elevation. The term is used in clinical contexts to describe the posture and underlying muscular involvement.
nounTorticollis is a neuromuscular condition characterized by a sustained twisted neck and abnormal head position, often due to muscular spasm or congenital issues. It can involve tilting, turning, or bending of the head to one side, frequently with shoulder elevation. The term is used in clinical contexts to describe the posture and underlying muscular involvement.
How to Pronounce Torticollis
"The pediatrician diagnosed congenital muscular torticollis after observing the infant's persistent head tilt."
"Adult-onset torticollis may present with dystonic neck movements and painful muscle contractions."
"Physical therapy is commonly recommended to improve range of motion in patients with torticollis."
Torticollis is pronounced tohr-tih-KAL-iss, with the primary stress on the third syllable: toR-TI-COL-LIS. In IPA: US US: /ˌtɔːrtɪˈkɑːlɪs/, UK: /ˌtɔːtɪˈkɒlɪs/, AU: /ˌtɔːtɪˈkɒlɪs/. Start with a clear 'tohr' (rhymes with 'bore'), then an emphasis on 'COL', and finish with a light 'lis'. Ensure the 'col' has a rounded back of the tongue and a short, crisp ending.
Common errors include misplacing stress (trying to stress the first syllable instead of the third) and mispronouncing the 'col' as 'c-ol' with a hard 'o' like 'col' in 'colony'. Also, speakers may shorten the word to 'tort-i-col-is' with uneven syllable weight. Correct it by placing main stress on 'COL' and ensuring the 'ti' is a short, lax 'ih' sound. Practicing the full four-syllable rhythm helps.
In US, the initial 'to' leans toward a 'tawr' with a rounded vowel, while the 'col' is a crisp 'kol' and the final 'lis' is a short 'lis'. UK tends to a slightly shorter 'toh' and a more open 'col' with less rhoticity, while AU often mirrors UK with vowel qualities closer to /ɒ/ in 'col' and a sharp final 'lis'. Core stress remains on the third syllable in all accents.
Because it combines a rare consonant cluster and a non-intuitive stress pattern: four syllables with the primary stress on the third. The sequence -tor-ti-coll-is requires precise articulation of 't' plus a short 'i' before a heavy 'COL' syllable. The 'coll' cluster can trigger vowel reductions or pitch shifts in rapid speech, making it easy to misplace emphasis or shorten vowels.
No silent letters in standard pronunciation. The challenge is correct syllable division and stress placement. You’ll hear the emphasis on the 'COL' syllable, with a crisp /k/ at the start of 'coll' and a light final 'is'. Practicing the four-syllable sequence slowly helps ensure you don't run 'tor' and 'ti' together. Use IPA as a guide to keep the timing accurate.
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Torticollis comes from Latin tortus, meaning twisted, and collis, meaning neck or hill (cervical region). The term first appeared in medical writings during the 17th century as physicians described abnormal head and neck postures caused by muscular contraction. Over time, the broader clinical category expanded to include congenital muscular torticollis in infants and later cranial dystonias (deformities due to dystonia) and spasmodic torticollis, now commonly referred to as cervical dystonia. The word has retained its core identity—an abnormal, sustained neck twist—while the underlying etiologies have diversified from purely muscular anomalies to neurologic and systemic contributors. Today, torticollis also appears in imaging and surgical contexts where patient positioning or neck alignment is central to assessment and treatment. First known uses appear in early modern medical dictionaries and anatomical treatises, reflecting a descriptive approach to posture and muscle function before a robust understanding of neuromuscular coordination existed.
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💡 These words have similar meanings to "Torticollis" and can often be used interchangeably.
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Words that rhyme with "Torticollis"
-tis sounds
Practice with these rhyming pairs to improve your pronunciation consistency:
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