1 myxedema | Definition of myxedema

myxedema

noun
myx·​ede·​ma | \ ËŒmik-sÉ™-ˈdÄ“-mÉ™ How to pronounce myxedema (audio) \

Definition of myxedema

: severe hypothyroidism characterized by firm inelastic edema, dry skin and hair, and loss of mental and physical vigor

Other Words from myxedema

myxedematous \ ËŒmik-​sÉ™-​ˈde-​mÉ™-​tÉ™s How to pronounce myxedematous (audio) , -​ˈdÄ“-​ \ adjective

First Known Use of myxedema

1877, in the meaning defined above

History and Etymology for myxedema

myx- + edema

Note: Term introduced by the British physician William Miller Ord (1834-1902) in "On myxœdema, a term proposed to be applied to the essential condition in the 'cretinoid' affection occasionally observed in middle-aged women," Medico-Chirurgical Transactions, vol. 61 (1878), p. 71: "As regards the class of cases immediately in question, my suggestion is that the whole collection of symptoms are related as effects to jelly-like swelling of the connective tissue, chiefly if not entirely consisting in an overgrowth of the mucus-yielding cement by which the fibrils of the white element are held together. Accordingly I propose to give the name of Myxœdema to the affection.""

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More Definitions for myxedema

myxedema

noun
myx·​ede·​ma
variants: or chiefly British myxoedema \ ËŒmik-​sÉ™-​ˈdÄ“-​mÉ™ How to pronounce myxoedema (audio) \

Medical Definition of myxedema

: severe hypothyroidism characterized by firm inelastic edema, dry skin and hair, and loss of mental and physical vigor

Other Words from myxedema

myxedematous or chiefly British myxoedematous \ -​ˈdem-​É™t-​É™s How to pronounce myxoedematous (audio) , -​ˈdÄ“-​mÉ™t-​ How to pronounce myxoedematous (audio) \ adjective

More from Merriam-Webster on myxedema

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about myxedema