myasthenia gravis
noun
myasthenia gra·vis
| \ -ˈgra-vəs
, -ˈgrä-
\
, -ˈgrä-
\
Definition of myasthenia gravis
: 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 NewsExamples of myasthenia gravis in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Consider the paradox of rare illnesses such as cystic fibrosis or myasthenia gravis. — Jamil Zaki, Scientific American, "The Technology of Kindness," 6 Aug. 2019 His wife, Diane McGregor, said the cause was complications of the autoimmune disorder myasthenia gravis. — Dennis Overbye, BostonGlobe.com, "Bradford Smith, 86, dies; showed postcards from outer space," 13 July 2018 His wife, Diane McGregor, said the cause was complications of the autoimmune disorder myasthenia gravis. — Dennis Overbye, BostonGlobe.com, "Bradford Smith, 86, dies; showed postcards from outer space," 13 July 2018 His wife, Diane McGregor, said the cause was complications of the autoimmune disorder myasthenia gravis. — Dennis Overbye, BostonGlobe.com, "Bradford Smith, 86, dies; showed postcards from outer space," 13 July 2018 His wife, Diane McGregor, said the cause was complications of the autoimmune disorder myasthenia gravis. — Dennis Overbye, BostonGlobe.com, "Bradford Smith, 86, dies; showed postcards from outer space," 13 July 2018 His wife, Diane McGregor, said the cause was complications of the autoimmune disorder myasthenia gravis. — Dennis Overbye, BostonGlobe.com, "Bradford Smith, 86, dies; showed postcards from outer space," 13 July 2018 His wife, Diane McGregor, said the cause was complications of the autoimmune disorder myasthenia gravis. — Dennis Overbye, BostonGlobe.com, "Bradford Smith, 86, dies; showed postcards from outer space," 13 July 2018 His wife, Diane McGregor, said the cause was complications of the autoimmune disorder myasthenia gravis. — Dennis Overbye, BostonGlobe.com, "Bradford Smith, 86, dies; showed postcards from outer space," 13 July 2018These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'myasthenia gravis.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
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More Definitions for myasthenia gravis
myasthenia gravis
noun
myasthenia gra·vis
| \ -ˈgrav-əs
, -ˈgräv-
\
, -ˈgräv-
\
Medical Definition of myasthenia gravis
: 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