myasthenia gravis

noun

myasthenia gra·​vis -ˈgra-vəs How to pronounce myasthenia gravis (audio) -ˈgrä- How to pronounce myasthenia gravis (audio)
: a disease that is characterized by progressive weakness and exhaustibility of voluntary muscles without atrophy and is caused by an autoimmune attack on muscle cell receptors which normally bind to acetylcholine released at nerve endings

Note: Symptoms of myasthenia gravis may include double vision, drooping of the eyelids, difficult swallowing, impaired speech, and weakness in the arms, legs, and neck.

… in myasthenia gravis, antibodies destroy the muscle's receptor proteins that serve as docks for this signal, a chemical called acetylcholine.Science News

Examples of myasthenia gravis in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Examples include Parkinson's disease, myasthenia gravis, and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS).12 Medications Various medications can cause cramps as a side effect of treatment. Lana Barhum, Verywell Health, 31 July 2024 Ford beat the cancer, though he was later diagnosed with an incurable autoimmune disease called myasthenia gravis that affects the face, eyes and throat. Jack Irvin, Peoplemag, 8 Apr. 2024 Ford has dealt with health issues before, including eye cancer and myasthenia gravis, an autoimmune disease. Oliver Gettell, EW.com, 5 Apr. 2024 In the comic books, Web is a blind, elderly woman who suffers from myasthenia gravis, an autoimmune disorder that forces her to use a life support system. Amethyst Tate, Peoplemag, 8 Aug. 2022 See all Example Sentences for myasthenia gravis 

Word History

Etymology

New Latin, literally, grave myasthenia

First Known Use

1900, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of myasthenia gravis was in 1900

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Cite this Entry

“Myasthenia gravis.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/myasthenia%20gravis. Accessed 22 Nov. 2024.

Medical Definition

myasthenia gravis

noun
myasthenia gra·​vis -ˈgrav-əs How to pronounce myasthenia gravis (audio) -ˈgräv- How to pronounce myasthenia gravis (audio)
: a disease characterized by progressive weakness and exhaustibility of voluntary muscles without atrophy or sensory disturbance and caused by an autoimmune attack on acetylcholine receptors at neuromuscular junctions

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