How to pronounce piriformis
Say it like pir-uh-FOR-mis. Piriformis has four syllables, and the main stress falls on the third one (FOR).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce piriformis. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- pir
- uh
- FOR
- mis
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Piriformis pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- pirGive this part a little weight. The vowel is the "i" in sit.
- uhKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the relaxed "uh" in about.
- FORSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "aw" in law.
- misKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the "i" in sit.
American vs British pronunciation of piriformis
- Americans pronounce the r after a vowel; most British speakers leave it silent and lengthen the vowel instead.
British respelling: pir-ih-FAW-mis.
What does piriformis mean?
- A gluteal muscle which arises from the front of the sacrum and the ischium or sacrotuberous ligament, passes out of the pelvis through the greater sciatic foramen, and inserts into the greater trochanter of the femur, serving in humans to rotate the thigh laterally.
Where does piriformis come from?
Unadapted borrowing from New Latin pirifōrmis, ellipsis of mūsculus pirifōrmis (“pear-shaped muscle”).
Questions about saying piriformis
How do you pronounce piriformis?
Say pir-uh-FOR-mis. The American pronunciation is /ˌpɪrəˈfɔrmɪs/. In British English it is /ˌpɪrɪˈfɔːmɪs/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in piriformis?
Piriformis has four syllables, and the main stress falls on the third one (FOR). Broken into parts: pir · uh · FOR · mis.
Is piriformis pronounced differently in British English?
Yes. Americans pronounce the r after a vowel; most British speakers leave it silent and lengthen the vowel instead. The British form is /ˌpɪrɪˈfɔːmɪs/ (pir-ih-FAW-mis).