Definition

1. Noun:
   • Loss of the myelin sheath: A pathological process where the protective myelin covering of nerve fibers is damaged or destroyed, leading to impaired nerve function.

Usage

• The term is used in medical and neurological contexts to describe a key feature of various diseases.
• It is a non-count noun, typically used without an indefinite article ("a demyelination").

Examples

• Noun:
  • Multiple sclerosis is characterized by demyelination in the central nervous system.
  • The MRI scan showed evidence of demyelination along the spinal cord.
  • Researchers are studying the mechanisms that trigger demyelination.

Advanced Usage

• "Demyelination of [nerve structure]": Specifies the location of the myelin loss.
  • The patient suffered from demyelination of the optic nerve, affecting vision.
• "Focal demyelination": Refers to myelin loss occurring in specific, isolated areas.
  • The biopsy revealed areas of focal demyelination.

Variants and Related Words

• Demyelinate (verb): To remove or destroy the myelin sheath.
  • The virus can demyelinate nerve fibers.
• Demyelinating (adjective): Describing a disease or process that causes myelin loss.
  • Guillain-Barré syndrome is a demyelinating disorder of the peripheral nerves.
• Myelin (noun): The fatty insulating sheath around nerve fibers.
• Remyelination (noun): The process of repairing or regenerating the myelin sheath.

Synonyms

• Myelin loss: The direct descriptive synonym.
• Myelin breakdown: Emphasizes the degenerative aspect.

Related Phrases

• Demyelinating disease: A category of illnesses where demyelination is the primary pathology.
  • Multiple sclerosis is the most common demyelinating disease.
• Demyelinating neuropathy: Nerve damage specifically caused by loss of myelin.
  • The condition was diagnosed as a chronic demyelinating neuropathy.

Noun

1. loss of the myelin covering of some nerve fibers resulting in their impaired function