po·li·o·my·e·li·tis (p  l --m  -l t s)n. A highly infectious viral disease that chiefly affects children and, in its acute forms, causes inflammation of motor neurons of the spinal cord and brainstem, leading to paralysis, muscular atrophy, and often deformity. Through vaccination, the disease is preventable. Also called infantile paralysis. [New Latin : Greek polios, gray; see pel-1 in Indo-European roots + myelitis.] po li·o·mye·litic (-ltk) adj. |
poliomyelitis [pole-ee-oh-my-el-lite-iss]
Noun
a viral disease which affects the brain and spinal cord, often causing paralysis [Greek polios grey + muelos marrow]
| poliomyelitis (pl--m-lts) A highly communicable infectious disease caused by the poliovirus of the genus Enterovirus that causes inflammation of motor neurons of the spinal cord and brainstem, leading to paralysis, muscular atrophy, and often disability and deformity. Childhood vaccinations are given to prevent infection. Also called polio. |
ThesaurusLegend: Synonyms Related Words Antonyms
| Noun | 1. |  poliomyelitis - an acute viral disease marked by inflammation of nerve cells of the brain stem and spinal cordinfectious disease - a disease transmitted only by a specific kind of contact |
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