syringomyelia
|syr-in-go-my-e-li-a|
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/ˌsɪrɪŋɡoʊmaɪˈiːliə/
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/ˌsɪrɪŋəʊmaɪˈiːlɪə/
fluid-filled cyst (syrinx) in the spinal cord
Etymology
'syringomyelia' originates from New Latin/medical Latin, ultimately from Ancient Greek 'syrinx' meaning 'pipe, tube' and 'myelos' meaning 'marrow (spinal cord)', with the suffix '-ia' indicating a condition.
'syrinx' and 'myelos' were combined in Neo-Latin/medical terminology as 'syringomyelia' in modern medical usage; the term was adopted into English medical vocabulary in the 19th century without significant change.
Initially it referred specifically to the presence of a tubular cavity (a syrinx) within the spinal cord; over time it has come to denote the clinical disorder characterized by such cysts and their neurological effects.
Meanings by Part of Speech
Noun 1
a neurological disorder in which a fluid-filled cavity or cyst (a syrinx) forms within the spinal cord, often causing pain, weakness, and sensory disturbances.
The patient was diagnosed with syringomyelia after MRI revealed a syrinx in the cervical spinal cord.
Synonyms
Last updated: 2025/11/17 17:03