Definition of Poliomyelitis
1. Noun. An acute viral disease marked by inflammation of nerve cells of the brain stem and spinal cord.
Definition of Poliomyelitis
1. Noun. (pathology) Acute infection by the poliovirus, especially of the motor neurons in the spinal cord and brainstem, leading to muscle weakness, paralysis and sometimes deformity. ¹
¹ Source: wiktionary.com
Definition of Poliomyelitis
1. [n -TIDES]
Medical Definition of Poliomyelitis
1.
An acute viral disease, occurring sporadically and in epidemics and characterised clinically by fever, sore throat, headache and vomiting, often with stiffness of the neck and back. In the minor illness these may be the only symptoms.
The major illness, which may or may not be preceded by the minor illness, is characterised by involvement of the central nervous system, stiff neck, pleocytosis in the spinal fluid and perhaps paralysis. There may be subsequent atrophy of groups of muscles, ending in contraction and permanent deformity.
The major illness is called acute anterior poliomyelitis, infantile paralysis and Heine Medin disease. The disease is now largely controlled by vaccines.
Origin: Gr. Myelos = marrow
This entry appears with permission from the Dictionary of Cell and Molecular Biology
(11 Mar 2008)
Lexicographical Neighbors of Poliomyelitis
Other Resources:
Arabic