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

Her family said doctors cited rhabdomyolysis, a severe and dangerous muscle breakdown. — Alejandro Avila Outkick, FOXNews.com, 6 Nov. 2026

However, blood markers alone do not establish the cause of death; those could be elevated in someone who died during exercise, but for other reasons than rhabdomyolysis alone. — Veronique Greenwood, Time, 5 Nov. 2026

Her father, Steve Apa, told the New York Times that the cause was rhabdomyolysis, also known as rhabdo, a rare condition in which skeletal muscle breaks down and dies quickly, poisoning the body. — Jen Christensen, CNN Money, 4 Nov. 2026

Depending on the cause of rhabdomyolysis, symptoms can come on quickly. — Tom Gavin, EverydayHealth.com, 4 Nov. 2026

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

Rhymes for rhabdomyolysis

• electrolysis
• fibrinolysis
• radiolysis
• autolysis
• cytolysis
• glycolysis
• haemolysis
• hydrolysis
• lipolysis
• photolysis
• pyrolysis
• thermolysis

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