myxedema

noun

myx·ede·ma | \ˌmik-sə-ˈdē-mə

\

Definition of myxedema

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

History and Etymology for myxedema

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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The first known use of myxedema was in 1877

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More Definitions for myxedema

myxedema

noun

myx·ede·ma

variants: or chiefly British myxoedema \ˌmik-sə-ˈdē-mə

\

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-ət-əs,

-ˈdē-mət-

\ adjective

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