crepitus

crepitus — noun

1. A grating sensation or audible crackling sound that happens when joint surfaces

1.名詞C1
釋義

A grating sensation or audible crackling sound that happens when joint surfaces rub against each other, when broken bone ends grind together, or when gas or fluid moves through soft tissue in the body.

例句

Naoko's orthopedic doctor diagnosed crepitus in both knees caused by years of cartilage wear.

crepitus + in [body part] — location pattern

When the physiotherapist moved Samir's shoulder, a faint crepitus could be felt beneath the skin.

passive: crepitus + could be felt

同義詞
  • crepitation

    Exactly the same meaning; used interchangeably in medical writing, though 'crepitus' is more common in clinical speech.

  • crackling

    Less technical; describes the sound quality more broadly and can refer to non-medical noises (e.g. crackling fire).

  • grating

    Focuses on the tactile sensation of roughness rather than the sound; often used for bone-on-bone friction.

  • popping

    Describes a single, sharp audible event rather than a continuous grating; common in non-medical descriptions of joint sounds.

文法句型

crepitus + in [body part]

crepitus + of [body part]

crepitus + on [movement/action]

用法筆記

Frequently used with a modifier specifying the type (grating / popping / crackling crepitus) or the location (crepitus in the knee / shoulder / jaw). In everyday conversation, speakers are more likely to say 'joint cracking' or 'popping sounds' than 'crepitus,' which is primarily a clinical term.

常見錯誤

❌I have crepitus in my knee.
✅My knee makes a cracking sound when I bend it.
💡Crepitus is a clinical term; in casual conversation, native speakers use simpler phrases like 'joint cracking' or 'popping sounds.'
❌The doctor heard crepituses in both lungs.
✅The doctor heard crepitus in both lungs.
💡Crepitus is uncountable; it does not take a plural form.