multiple sclerosis

noun

, Pathology.

1. a chronic degenerative, often episodic disease of the central nervous system marked by patchy destruction of the myelin that surrounds and insulates nerve fibers, usually appearing in young adulthood and manifested by one or more mild to severe neural and muscular impairments, as spastic weakness in one or more limbs, local sensory losses, bladder dysfunction, or visual disturbances.

multiple sclerosis

noun

1. a chronic progressive disease of the central nervous system characterized by loss of some of the myelin sheath surrounding certain nerve fibres and resulting in speech and visual disorders, tremor, muscular incoordination, partial paralysis, etc Also calleddisseminated sclerosis

multiple sclerosis

/ sklə-rō′sĭs /

1. A chronic degenerative disease of the central nervous system in which gradual destruction of myelin occurs in the brain or spinal cord or both, interfering with the nerve pathways and causing muscular weakness, loss of coordination, and speech and visual disturbances. It occurs chiefly in young adults and is thought to be caused by a defect in the immune system that may be of genetic or viral origin.

multiple sclerosis

1. A chronic disease of the central nervous system characterized by the hardening of patches of tissue in the brain and spinal cord . The cause of this disease has to do with damage to the sheathes of nerves, and there is no specific treatment. It occurs in varying degrees of severity and, in the worst case, can result in permanent paralysis .

Word History and Origins

Origin of multiple sclerosis¹

First recorded in 1880–85

Example Sentences

Fampridine is currently used to improve walking ability in multiple sclerosis.

From Science Daily

And he spoke of the "nightmare" of learning wife Sarra had multiple sclerosis, and having to break the news to their two young children.

From BBC

During filming, a piece of glass sliced a tendon in Garr’s foot; later, she would wonder if the accident had triggered her multiple sclerosis.

From Los Angeles Times

The pair have two children and Sarra was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis shortly before her husband learned of his illness.

From BBC

Just before Sir Chris's tumour was discovered, Sarra had undergone scans that would later show she had multiple sclerosis, a degenerative disease.

From BBC