myelomalacian.
/ˌmʌɪələ(ʊ)məˈleɪʃ(ɪ)ə/, U.S. /ˈˌmaɪəloʊməˈleɪʃ(i)ə/ Pathology.
Softening of the spinal cord, often associated with ischaemia (reduced blood supply) or compression of the cord.
ΚΠ
1848 R. Dunglison Med. Lexicon (ed. 7) 566/2 Myelomalacia, mollities medullæ spinalis.
1885 J. Ross Handbk. Dis. Nerv. Syst. x. 539 When the vessels are extensively changed by atheroma, thrombosis may take place to such an extent that softening occurs, a condition which has been named myelomalacia.
1905 Jrnl. Nerv. & Mental Dis. 32 233 At the present day it is conceded that myelomalacia is a very frequent condition as compared with primary myelitis.
1968 Brain 91 138 These led to the development of communicating hydrocephalus and myelomalacia with extensive cavitation of the cervico-thoracic cord.
1993 S. J. Ettinger Pocket Compan. Textbk. Vet. Internal Med. lxii. 260 (heading) Hereditary myelopathy of Afghan hounds (necrotizing myelopathy or myelomalacia of Afghan hounds).
2001 European Jrnl. Pediatrics 160 10 Signs of cervical medullary compression, myelomalacia and intramedullary cyst formation were found [in achondroplastic children].
This is a new entry (OED Third Edition, June 2003; most recently modified version published online March 2022).
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n.1848