von Willebrand disease

noun

von Wil·​le·​brand disease vän-ˈvi-lə-ˌbränt- How to pronounce von Willebrand disease (audio)
variants or less commonly von Willebrand's disease
: a genetic blood disorder marked by prolonged, excessive, or abnormal bleeding that commonly results in recurrent nosebleeds, heavy menstrual flow, and bleeding from the gums, is caused by deficient or defective von Willebrand factor, and typically occurs in a mild form that is less serious than hemophilia

Note: Von Willebrand disease is inherited chiefly as an autosomal dominant trait in which only one parent must pass on a copy of the defective gene on a chromosome other than a sex chromosome.

Word History

Etymology

after Erik Adolf von Willebrand †1949 Finnish physician

First Known Use

1941, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of von Willebrand disease was in 1941

Dictionary Entries Near von Willebrand disease

Cite this Entry

“Von Willebrand disease.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/von%20Willebrand%20disease. Accessed 29 Mar. 2024.

Medical Definition

von Willebrand disease

noun
von Wil·​le·​brand disease
-ˌbränt-
variants also von Willebrand's disease
: a genetic blood disorder marked by prolonged, excessive, or abnormal bleeding that commonly results in recurrent nosebleeds, heavy menstrual flow, and bleeding from the gums, is caused by deficient or defective von Willebrand factor, and typically occurs in a mild form that is less serious than hemophilia

Note: Von Willebrand disease is inherited chiefly as an autosomal dominant trait in which only one parent must pass on a copy of the defective gene on a chromosome other than a sex chromosome.

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