10 Best Medical Terms to Say Aloud

August 28, 2007

Note: The audio files are there for the words I could find. There are some where I put together words to (sort of) approximate what the word sounds like.

Recrudescence - This term is often used in medical talks. It makes you look really smart if you use it. Why not just say recurrence?

Interesting Anagram: Curse Credence
Seronegative Spondyloarthropathy - Rolls off the tongue. Rheumatic-type spine disorders. Again, would love to hear James Earl Jones say it.
     a.
     b.
     c.
Interesting Anagram: Strongly honored, top-heavy parasite
Dracunculus Medinensus - Guinea Worm - a disgusting parasite with a good name.
     a.
     b.
     c.
     d.
Interesting Anagram: Dual Dunce Nurses in Scum
Phlegm - Concise and descriptive. One of the only onomatopoeias in medicine. The word sounds just like the sound people make when…never mind.

No Interesting Anagram: but "Gooey Phlegm" makes "Mopey Gel Hog"
Carbuncle (or Furuncle, for that matter) - Sounds much better than it smells.

Interesting Anagram: Crane Club
Anastomosis - Not to be confused with "A Nasty Moses." (Ecchymosis - a.k.a. "Icky Moses" - came in a close second to this. Poor Moses).

Interesting Anagram: Asia Man Toss
Henoch-Schonlein purpura - Do you wonder why we usually call this "HSP?"

Interesting Anagram: Harsh Porcupine Luncheon
Sphincter - Don’t say it in front of people unless they have a towel. Don’t use it in front of people unless they have a mask.

Interesting Anagram: Rip Stench
Borborygmi - Yes, Blogborygmi was actually named after a real word! Clever boy, that Nick.

Interesting Anagram: Grim Orb Boy
Enterobius Vermicularis - Nighttime itchy visitor, otherwise known as pinworm.
a.
b.
Interesting Anagram: Sublime Neurotics Arrive

Please add to this list.

Share and Enjoy:

(No Ratings Yet)

Loading ...

Category Posted in Top Ten

8 Responses to “10 Best Medical Terms to Say Aloud”

rlbates said:

September 25th, 2007 at 3:27 pm

Dr. Rob,
This is great! Is that your voice? You are so right James Earl Jones could make anything sound great. Also right in that there are medical terms I consistantly stumble over when I try to pronounce them which is why I say HSP or ITP
Moof said:

September 25th, 2007 at 3:29 pm

Great post, Dr. Rob! I’m still laughing at what you wrote about #7 … and the very apt anagram! :o)
Rob said:

September 25th, 2007 at 3:30 pm

No. I am and will always be a Tenor. That guy has a great voice, though.

Yes, I thought “Rip Stench” was pretty good.

I also like “Strongly honored, top-heavy parasite”
Greg P said:

September 25th, 2007 at 3:31 pm

I thought Carbuncle was part of that singing duo, Simon and Carbuncle…
Rob said:

September 25th, 2007 at 3:32 pm

I actually think that Don Martin of Mad Magazine had a guy named Carbuncle. There was another named “Fester Bester Tester.”
Angel said:

September 25th, 2007 at 3:33 pm

I was the only 5 yr old who could spell “amblyopia” LOL

I could listen to any kind of medical talk as long as Hugh Laurie was saying ::happy sigh::
mkeamy said:

September 25th, 2007 at 3:34 pm

dracunculis medinensis has been my favorite since 2nd year parasitology. I used to say it to my kids when they were babies to get them to laugh, so I guess para wasn’t a total waste. Loa loa!
mkeamy said:

September 25th, 2007 at 3:35 pm

how about mycosis fungoides? nasty disease, funny name