10 Best Medical Terms to Say Aloud
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?
[Audio:Recrudescence.mp3|autostart=no]
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.[Audio:Seronegative.mp3|autostart=no]
b.[Audio:Spongy.mp3|autostart=no]
c.[Audio:Arthropathy.mp3|autostart=no]
Interesting Anagram: Strongly honored, top-heavy parasite - Dracunculus Medinensus - Guinea Worm - a disgusting parasite with a good name.
a.[Audio:Dracut.mp3|autostart=no]
b.[Audio:Homonculus.mp3|autostart=no]
c.[Audio:Medic.mp3|autostart=no]
d.[Audio:Nemesis.mp3|autostart=no]
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.
[Audio:Phlegm.mp3|autostart=no]
No Interesting Anagram: but “Gooey Phlegm” makes “Mopey Gel Hog” - Carbuncle (or Furuncle, for that matter) - Sounds much better than it smells.
[Audio:Carbuncle.mp3|autostart=no]
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).
[Audio:Anastomosis.mp3|autostart=no]
Interesting Anagram: Asia Man Toss- Henoch-Schonlein purpura - Do you wonder why we usually call this “HSP?”
[Audio:Purpura.mp3|autostart=no]
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.
[Audio:Sphincter.mp3|autostart=no]
Interesting Anagram: Rip Stench - Borborygmi - Yes, Blogborygmi was actually named after a real word! Clever boy, that Nick.
[Audio:Borborygmi.mp3|autostart=no]
Interesting Anagram: Grim Orb Boy - Enterobius Vermicularis - Nighttime itchy visitor, otherwise known as pinworm.
a.[Audio:Buttocks.mp3|autostart=no]
b.[Audio:Itchiness.mp3|autostart=no]
Interesting Anagram: Sublime Neurotics Arrive
Please add to this list.
August 29th, 2007 at 8:44 am
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
August 29th, 2007 at 9:43 am
Great post, Dr. Rob! I’m still laughing at what you wrote about #7 … and the very apt anagram! :o)
August 29th, 2007 at 10:05 am
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”
August 29th, 2007 at 1:51 pm
I thought Carbuncle was part of that singing duo, Simon and Carbuncle…
August 29th, 2007 at 2:08 pm
I actually think that Don Martin of Mad Magazine had a guy named Carbuncle. There was another named “Fester Bester Tester.”
August 30th, 2007 at 3:22 am
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::
September 4th, 2007 at 11:52 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!
September 4th, 2007 at 11:56 pm
how about mycosis fungoides? nasty disease, funny name