hydromyelia
|hy-dro-my-e-li-a|
/ˌhaɪdrəmaɪˈiːliə/
water in the spinal cord (pathological dilation)
Etymology
'hydromyelia' originates from Greek elements: 'hydor' meaning 'water' and 'myelos' meaning 'marrow' (used for 'spinal cord'), with the noun-forming suffix '-ia'.
'hydromyelia' entered medical usage via New Latin/Modern medical terminology in the 19th century, formed from Greek roots and adopted into English medical literature without major orthographic change.
Initially a literal compound meaning 'water in the spinal cord,' it came to denote the specific pathological condition of dilation of the spinal cord's central canal and related fluid-filled cavities.
Meanings by Part of Speech
Noun 1
a pathological dilation of the central canal of the spinal cord with accumulation of cerebrospinal fluid, often producing a fluid-filled cavity within the spinal cord.
The MRI revealed hydromyelia extending over several thoracic vertebrae.
Synonyms
Last updated: 2025/09/08 10:55