ScienceAugust 25, 2026

polyneuropathy

PAH-lee-nu-RAH-puh-thee

Definition

A condition resulting from damage to multiple peripheral nerves throughout the body, often causing numbness, pain, or weakness.

Etymology

Derived from the Greek 'polys' (many), 'neuron' (nerve), and 'patheia' (suffering or disease), literally meaning a disease affecting many nerves.

In the news

The article uses the term to identify a specific neurodegenerative disease, transthyretin amyloid polyneuropathy, that Professor Kelly's research helped treat.

Scripps Research professor Jeffery Kelly elected to the European Academy of Engineering

Read the full article ↗

Scripps Research

Related words

adsorbent

A substance, typically a solid material, used to collect molecules of a gas or liquid…

Science

arterialization

The biological process in which smaller, simpler blood vessels like capillaries transform…

Science

bract

A modified or specialized leaf at the base of a flower or inflorescence, often differing…

Science

chalcone

A type of chemical compound that serves as a fundamental building block in the…

Science

colloquia

Academic seminars or conferences where experts or students meet to discuss research or…

Science

confocal

Refers to a type of specialized high-resolution microscopy that uses a spatial pinhole to…

Science

Learn words like this every day

Meet new words every morning.

Newspoken pulls carefully chosen words from the day’s news — with clear definitions, context, and light review that makes them stick. Get it on your phone.