How Do You Spell PENTOTHAL?

Pronunciation: [pˈɛntɒθə͡l] (IPA)

The spelling of the word "pentothal" can be explained using the International Phonetic Alphabet (IPA) transcription as pɛntoθɔl. The first syllable, "pent," is pronounced with the short "e" sound, followed by the "n" consonant sound. The second syllable, "o," is pronounced with the long "o" sound. The third syllable, "thal," is pronounced with the "th" sound, followed by the open "o" sound and the "l" consonant sound. The correct spelling of this word is essential in medical settings, as pentothal is a powerful anesthetic.

PENTOTHAL Meaning and Definition

  1. Pentothal, also known as thiopental sodium, is a barbiturate drug that functions as a general anesthetic and sedative. It is primarily used in medical and surgical procedures to induce anesthesia, drowsiness, and calmness in patients. The name "pentothal" is derived from its chemical composition containing five carbon atoms.

    As a general anesthetic, pentothal acts by depressing the central nervous system, resulting in a reversible loss of consciousness and pain sensitivity. It is commonly administered intravenously to quickly induce anesthesia and can be accompanied by the administration of other medications to maintain a desired level of sedation or anesthesia throughout a procedure.

    Pentothal is preferred for its rapid onset of action and short duration of effect, making it suitable for brief procedures, such as cardioversion or endoscopic examinations. However, its use has declined in recent years, largely due to the availability of safer anesthetic alternatives and the potential for side effects such as respiratory depression, low blood pressure, and allergic reactions.

    Apart from its medical application, pentothal has also been associated with use in capital punishment as part of lethal injection protocols in certain jurisdictions. In these instances, it is used to induce a deep and irreversible coma-like state before the administration of subsequent lethal drugs.

Common Misspellings for PENTOTHAL

Etymology of PENTOTHAL

The word pentothal is a brand name for a barbiturate drug called thiopental sodium. It was first marketed by Abbott Laboratories in 1934 as a fast-acting intravenous anesthetic.

The etymology of the word pentothal originates from its chemical structure. Pento- comes from the Greek word penta, meaning five. This refers to the five carbon atoms in the thiobarbiturate compound. The -thal part is derived from thiobarbital, another barbiturate drug. So, pentothal essentially means five-carbon atoms thiopental.

Similar spelling words for PENTOTHAL

Plural form of PENTOTHAL is PENTOTHALS

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