neuromuscular

American  

[noor-oh-muhs-kyuh-ler, nyoor-] / ˌnʊər oʊˈmʌs kjə lər, ˌnjʊər- /

adjective

1. pertaining to or affecting both nerves and muscles.

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neuromuscular British  

/ ˌnjʊərəʊˈmʌskjʊlə /

adjective

1. of, relating to, or affecting nerves and muscles

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Etymology

Origin of neuromuscular

First recorded in 1875–80; neuro- + muscular

Explanation

In medicine, if something affects both nerves and muscles, it's described as neuromuscular. Conditions like Parkinson's disease and multiple sclerosis are neuromuscular diseases. Neuromuscular combines the scientific prefix neuro-, from a Greek root meaning "nerve," with muscular, which derives from the Latin musculus, "a muscle." The term is used for the physical connection between the nervous and muscular systems, like the neuromuscular junctions throughout the body that allow you to move your muscles, as well as ailments affecting both.

Example Sentences

Elizabette Guecamburu, a bookkeeper who has a rare neuromuscular disorder, spoke at Monday’s rally and implored the governor to remember the teachings of their shared alma mater Santa Clara University, a Jesuit-led private school.

From Los Angeles Times • Jun. 9, 2026

Dyne, also of Waltham, is developing drugs to treat Duchenne muscular dystrophy and other neuromuscular disorders.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jan. 12, 2026

"Also, prolonged vibration changes the reactivity of the neuromuscular spindles and alters the signal sent to the brain."

From Science Daily • Jan. 8, 2026

Laurent Servais, a professor of neuromuscular diseases at the University of Oxford, carried out a study of newborn screening based on programmes in other countries, such as Belgium.

From BBC • Nov. 29, 2025

But there’s another capacity of the neuromuscular system, which is pain.

From "Nickel and Dimed: On (Not) Getting By in America" by Barbara Ehrenreich