Clinical Diagnosis · Immune System · Medium

Poliomyelitis

Meaning: A viral infection that can attack motor neurones in the spinal cord, causing permanent paralysis.

In practice: Thanks to vaccination, poliomyelitis has been eliminated from most of the world.

Word parts

Many medical words are built from Greek and Latin parts like these, so learning a few helps you work out new terms.

Two questions on related clinical diagnosis words.

Which word means: A wedge-shaped growth of fleshy tissue spreading from the white of the eye onto the cornea, linked to sun exposure.

Which word means: A benign tumour of soft, jelly-like tissue that most commonly arises in the left atrium of the heart.

One medical word a day, then a quick three-question quiz. Free on iPhone, or play in your browser on Android and computer.