alcaptonuria
|al-cap-to-nu-ri-a|
🇺🇸
/ˌælkæptəˈnjʊriə/
🇬🇧
/ˌælkæptəˈnjʊəriə/
metabolic disorder
Etymology
'alcaptonuria' originates from the combination of 'alkapton' and the suffix '-uria', where 'alkapton' refers to the substance homogentisic acid, and '-uria' indicates a condition related to urine.
'alcaptonuria' was derived from the German word 'Alkaptonurie', which was used in the early 20th century to describe this metabolic disorder.
Initially, it referred to the presence of homogentisic acid in urine, but over time it evolved to describe the broader metabolic disorder associated with this condition.
Meanings by Part of Speech
Noun 1
a rare inherited disorder characterized by the accumulation of homogentisic acid, leading to darkened urine and potential joint and tissue damage.
Patients with alcaptonuria often notice their urine darkening upon standing.
Synonyms
Last updated: 2025/06/15 05:21