bronchocele: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
Very Low / ObsoleteTechnical, Historical, Medical
Quick answer
What does “bronchocele” mean?
A pathological swelling or enlargement of the thyroid gland, located in the front of the neck.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A pathological swelling or enlargement of the thyroid gland, located in the front of the neck; specifically, a goitre.
A medical term primarily found in historical or technical medical texts, referring to a goitre. It is not used in modern clinical terminology but may appear in historical medical case studies or descriptions.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
The spelling 'bronchocele' (with 'ch') is standard in both varieties. The word is equally obsolete and technical in both British and American English.
Connotations
Purely technical and historical; no regional connotations.
Frequency
Extremely rare in contemporary usage, found almost exclusively in historical medical literature or in discussions of archaic medical terminology.
Grammar
How to Use “bronchocele” in a Sentence
to have (a) bronchoceleto be diagnosed with bronchoceleto suffer from (a) bronchocelethe bronchocele was treated/removedVocabulary
Collocations
Usage
Meaning in Context
Academic
May appear in historical medical papers or discussions of medical terminology evolution.
Everyday
Not used in everyday conversation. 'Goitre' or 'swollen thyroid' would be used instead.
Technical
The primary domain, though now considered archaic. Might be referenced in etymology or medical history contexts.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “bronchocele”
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “bronchocele”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “bronchocele”
- Misspelling as 'broncocoele' or 'bronchoceole'.
- Mispronouncing the 'ch' as /tʃ/ instead of /k/.
- Confusing it with 'bronchitis' due to the similar prefix.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No, it is an obsolete medical term. The common modern term is 'goitre'.
Despite the 'broncho-' prefix suggesting the bronchi, it historically refers specifically to a thyroid gland swelling. This is a common point of confusion.
The 'ch' is pronounced as a /k/ sound. In British English, it is /ˈbrɒŋkəsiːl/. In American English, it is /ˈbrɑːŋkoʊˌsiːl/.
It comes from Greek 'bronchos' (windpipe) + 'kele' (tumour, swelling). The name arose because the swelling is in the region of the windpipe/throat.
A pathological swelling or enlargement of the thyroid gland, located in the front of the neck.
Bronchocele is usually technical, historical, medical in register.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of 'BRONCH' (like bronchial tubes in the throat area) + 'CELE' (meaning swelling or hernia, as in 'cystocele'). It's a swelling in the neck/throat area.
Conceptual Metaphor
CONTAINER SWELLING: The thyroid gland is conceptualised as a container that has abnormally expanded.
Practice
Quiz
What is a 'bronchocele'?