ascending poliomyelitis

poliomyelitis /po·lio·my·eli·tis/ (-mi″ĕ-li´tis) an acute viral disease usually caused by a poliovirus and marked clinically by fever, sore throat, headache, vomiting, and often stiffness of the neck and back; these may be the only symptoms of the minor illness. In the major illness, which may or may not be preceded by the minor illness, there is central nervous system involvement, stiff neck, pleocytosis in spinal fluid, and perhaps paralysis; there may be subsequent atrophy of muscle groups, ending in contraction and permanent deformity.

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abortive poliomyelitis  the minor illness of poliomyelitis.

acute anterior poliomyelitis  the major illness of poliomyelitis.

ascending poliomyelitis  poliomyelitis with a cephalad progression.

bulbar poliomyelitis  a severe form affecting the medulla oblongata, which may result in dysfunction of the swallowing mechanism, respiratory embarrassment, and circulatory distress.

cerebral poliomyelitis  poliomyelitis that extends into the brain.

spinal paralytic poliomyelitis  the classic form of acute anterior poliomyelitis, with the appearance of flaccid paralysis of one or more limbs.

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ascending poliomyelitis

Etymology: L, ascendere, to rise; Gk, polios, gray, myelos, marrow, itis, inflammation

poliomyelitis that begins in the legs and spreads upward to involve the trunk and respiratory muscles. See also ascending paralysis.