Pronunciation: [ɪmpˈɪnd͡ʒmənt] (IPA) 
"Impingement" is a tricky word to spell because it does not follow standard English spelling rules. The word is pronounced /ɪmˈpɪndʒmənt/, where the "g" is pronounced like a "j" (/dʒ/). This is due to the word's origin from the Latin verb "impingere," which means "to drive into." The "-ment" suffix is also common in English words borrowed from Latin. Remembering the word's etymology can help with spelling and pronunciation!
Impingement is a noun that refers to the act of coming into contact or colliding with something. It can be used to describe a situation where one object or physical entity obstructs the movement or progress of another, leading to a restriction or interference.
In a medical context, impingement typically pertains to a condition wherein certain body structures, such as tendons, nerves, or blood vessels, become compressed or pinched by nearby bones, ligaments, or other anatomical structures. This compression can cause pain, limited range of motion, inflammation, and other symptoms, depending on the specific site and severity of the impingement. Common examples of impingement conditions include rotator cuff impingement in the shoulder, subacromial impingement syndrome, and nerve impingement causing conditions like carpal tunnel syndrome or sciatica.
Furthermore, the term "impingement" is also used in other domains, such as engineering or mechanics, to denote the interference or entrapment of mechanical components during operation. This may result in friction, reduced efficiency, or damage to the parts involved.
Overall, impingement refers to the act, state, or consequence of hindering, limiting, or obstructing the movement, progress, or function of something, whether in the realm of anatomy, mechanics, or general interaction between objects.
* The statistics data for these misspellings percentages are collected from over 15,411,110 spell check sessions on www.spellchecker.net from Jan 2010 - Jun 2012.
The word "impingement" has its roots in the Old French term "empeigné", which is the past participle of the verb "empeigner". This verb originated from the Latin word "impingere", which is a compound of "in" (into) and "pingere" (to drive or thrust). "Impingere" combines the prefix "in" with "pangere" (to fasten or fix) and can be traced back to the Proto-Indo-European root "*pag-" (to fix or coagulate). Over time, the term "impingement" came to mean the action of striking or colliding forcefully, particularly with the idea of obstructing or restricting movement. In various contexts, it refers to interference, compression, or encroachment on something, such as a body part or a process.
