poliomyelitis

(noun)

acute infection by the poliovirus, especially of the motor neurons in the spinal cord and brainstem, leading to muscle weakness, paralysis and sometimes deformity

Related Terms

Examples of poliomyelitis in the following topics:

  • Poliomyelitis

    • Poliomyelitis is an infection by the polio virus that affects the motor neurons of the central nervous system.
    • Poliomyelitis, often called polio or infantile paralysis, is an acute, viral, infectious disease spread from person to person, primarily via the fecal-oral route.
    • Poliomyelitis was first recognized as a distinct condition by Jakob Heine in 1840.

  • Muscular Atrophy

    • Examples of diseases affecting the nerves that control muscles would be poliomyelitis, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS or Lou Gehrig's disease), and Guillain-Barre syndrome.

  • Paralysis

    • Other major causes are stroke, trauma with nerve injury, poliomyelitis, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), botulism, spina bifida, multiple sclerosis, and Guillain-BarrĂ© syndrome.