hereditary motor and sensory neuropathy

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Explanation of "Hereditary Motor and Sensory Neuropathy"

Definition:
Hereditary Motor and Sensory Neuropathy (HMSN) is a medical condition that affects the nerves in the body. It usually starts when a person is a child or a young adult. People with this condition may experience weakness in their muscles, especially in their hands and lower legs, which can lead to muscle wasting (atrophy). The condition progresses slowly, and many people with HMSN can live a normal lifespan. It can be passed down from parents to children through genes, either in an X-linked recessive or X-linked dominant manner.

Usage Instructions

• Usage: The term "hereditary motor and sensory neuropathy" is used in medical discussions, especially when talking about nerve diseases that are inherited.
• Context: You might encounter this term in medical reports, discussions with healthcare professionals, or when reading about genetic disorders.

Example Sentence

• "After several tests, the doctor diagnosed him with hereditary motor and sensory neuropathy, explaining that it could affect his mobility."

Advanced Usage

In medical literature, "hereditary motor and sensory neuropathy" may be abbreviated as HMSN. It encompasses various types, including Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease, which is a common type of HMSN.

Word Variants

• Noun: neuropathy, motor neuropathy, sensory neuropathy
• Adjectives: hereditary, motor, sensory
• Related Terms: atrophy (muscle wasting), weakness, inheritance, genes

Different Meanings

While "neuropathy" generally refers to any disease affecting the nerves, "hereditary motor and sensory neuropathy" specifically refers to inherited forms that impact motor (movement) and sensory (feeling) functions.

Synonyms

• Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease (a specific type of HMSN)
• Hereditary neuropathy

Idioms and Phrasal Verbs

There are no specific idioms or phrasal verbs directly related to "hereditary motor and sensory neuropathy." However, you might hear the term "hand in hand," which means two things that are closely related. In this context, you could say that genetics and neuropathy often go "hand in hand" in discussions about hereditary conditions.

Summary

"Hereditary motor and sensory neuropathy" is a medical term used to describe a genetic nerve condition that affects muscle strength and sensation, starting in childhood or young adulthood.

Academic

Noun

1. a form of neuropathy that can begin between childhood and young adulthood; characterized by weakness and atrophy of the muscles of the hands and lower legs; progression is slow and individuals affected can have a normal life span; inheritance is X-linked recessive or X-linked dominant

Synonyms

• charcot-marie-tooth disease