rhabdomyolysis

noun

rhab·​do·​my·​ol·​y·​sis ˌrab-dō-mī-ˈä-lə-səs 

: the destruction or degeneration of muscle tissue (as from traumatic injury, excessive exertion, or stroke) accompanied by the release of breakdown products into the bloodstream and sometimes leading to acute renal failure

Examples of rhabdomyolysis in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

The patient had been admitted Aug. 7 for rhabdomyolysis. —Ed Stannard, Hartford Courant, 25 Jan. 2024

That patient was rushed to the emergency room and had part of her small bowel removed after being diagnosed with a potentially fatal condition called rhabdomyolysis. —Ashley Belanger, Ars Technica, 13 July 2023

In rare cases, people mistake rhabdomyolysis (rhabdo) for DOMS. —Lauren Del Turco, Health, 20 Nov. 2023

Heath is looking for redemption after a tumultuous offseason that saw head coach John Harrell resign following an investigation into a workout that left many Heath players hospitalized with rhabdomyolysis. —Sasha Richie, Dallas News, 26 Aug. 2023

Word History

Etymology

rhabdo- + myo- + -lysis

Note: The term was introduced by Drummond H. Bowden et al., "Acute recurrent rhabdomyolysis (paroxysmal myohaemoglobinuria)," Medicine, vol. 35, issue 4 (December, 1956), pp. 335-54.

First Known Use

1956, in the meaning defined above

Medical Definition

rhabdomyolysis

noun

rhab·​do·​my·​ol·​y·​sis ˌrab-dō-mī-ˈäl-ə-səs 

plural rhabdomyolyses -ˌsēz 

: the destruction or degeneration of skeletal muscle tissue (as from traumatic injury, excessive exertion, or stroke) that is accompanied by the release of muscle cell contents (as myoglobin and potassium) into the bloodstream resulting in hypovolemia, hyperkalemia, and sometimes acute renal failure