4 syllables: Vi, trec, to, my. Stress on trec.
vit-REK-tuh-mee
/vɪˈtɹɛk.tə.mi/
Vitrectomy is pronounced vit-REK-tuh-mee (/vɪˈtɹɛk.tə.mi/). It has four syllables (Vi-trec-to-my), with the stress on "trec". Vitrectomy is a surgical procedure that removes the vitreous gel from the eye, typically to treat retinal disorders. It involves tiny incisions and specialized instruments, often performed under local or general anesthesia. The term combines Latin roots for glassy vitreous and a surgical procedure, and is used in ophthalmology to describe this microsurgical technique.
nounVitrectomy is a surgical procedure that removes the vitreous gel from the eye, typically to treat retinal disorders. It involves tiny incisions and specialized instruments, often performed under local or general anesthesia. The term combines Latin roots for glassy vitreous and a surgical procedure, and is used in ophthalmology to describe this microsurgical technique.
- Misplacing stress to the first syllable: say vi-TREC-to-ny and not VIT-rek-TO-ny. Practice by tapping the beat: 1-2-3-4 with emphasis on 3. - Blurring the middle consonant cluster: avoid saying -tˈre- or -trk-; maintain -t-r- as separate segments, with a crisp t release before the r. - Final -omy pronounced as -oh-mee vs -i-mee; ensure final syllable is a crisp -mi, not a heavy -oh- or -awm; keep it short and clean. - Lacking vowel clarity in the unstressed syllables: ensure the middle vowels are distinct, not reduced to schwa in a way that muddles -rek- and -ti-. Tip: practice with slow, exaggerated enunciation, then gradually normalize to medical tempo.
How to Pronounce Vitrectomy
"The ophthalmologist scheduled a vitrectomy to repair the detached retina."
"During the vitrectomy, the surgeon fluidically aspirates the vitreous body and stabilizes the retina."
"Advances in vitrectomy techniques have reduced recovery times for many patients."
You say /ˌvɪt.rɛkˈtɪ.mi/. Start with a light
Common errors include misplacing stress, saying /ˈvɪt.rɛk.tɪ.mi/ with stress on the first syllable, or swapping the e and i in the middle syllable. Correct it by emphasizing the second-syllable sequence -ˈrekt- and finishing with -ə-mi. Keep the mid syllable clear and avoid adding extra syllables.
The core stress pattern remains the same, but vowel quality shifts: US might have a slightly more rhotic, rolled r in -rekt-, UK/AU tend to crisper 't' and less vowel reduction in unstressed syllables. In all, /ˌvɪt.rɛkˈtɪ.mi/ with minor vowel shifts. For precision, compare /ˌvɪt.rɛkˈtɪ.mi/ across accents.
Two challenges: the cluster -rɛk- in the middle and the unstressed final -mi, which can become -mɪ or -mi depending on cadence. Additionally, the 'ct' sequence is often misarticulated as a hard 'k' or dental 't' without crisp release. Practice by isolating -rekt- and ensuring a clear t-to-m transition.
No silent letters in standard medical pronunciation. Every letter contributes to the syllable rhythm: vit (vɪt) -rec (rɛk) -to (tə/ti) -my (mi). Some speakers reduce the middle vowel slightly in rapid speech, but there is no true silent letter.
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- US: own a rhotic r; ensure [ɹ] is pronounced with tongue not too bunched; slight American English vowel shifts can affect the -ɛ- in -rekt-. - UK: more non-rhotic tendencies? In medical speech, the r remains pronounced but is less prominent; the -ɪ- in -ti- is often shorter. - AU: tends to a flatter intonation; articulate the -rekt- with a clean stop before the -ti-; vowel qualities are closer to US but with less rhotic emphasis. IPA references: /ˌvɪt.rɛkˈtɪ.mi/ across accents. Focus on keeping the middle -t- crisp and the final -i- short.
Vitrectomy derives from the Latin vitreus, meaning glassy or glass-like, referring to the vitreous humor in the eye, with the Greek -ectomy meaning surgical removal. The vitreous body, a clear gel filling the eye’s posterior chamber, was historically described as a 'glass-like' substance. The earliest ophthalmic advancements in vitreous surgery emerged in the 1960s and 70s, evolving from simple aspiration to sophisticated pars plana vitrectomy (PPV) using micro-incisions and vitreoretinal instrumentation. First known uses of the term in medical literature appeared mid-20th century, but the modern, widely accepted term vitrectomy coalesced as surgical techniques became standardized in the 1970s–1990s. The word’s construction mirrors other -ectomy terms, positioning it as a removal procedure of a gel-like intraocular component.
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💡 These words have similar meanings to "Vitrectomy" and can often be used interchangeably.
🔄 These words have opposite meanings to "Vitrectomy" and show contrast in usage.
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Words that rhyme with "Vitrectomy"
-omy sounds
Practice with these rhyming pairs to improve your pronunciation consistency:
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