myxedema

myxedema
Hypothyroidism characterized by a relatively hard edema of subcutaneous tissue, with increased content of mucins (proteoglycans) in the fluid; characterized by somnolence, slow mentation, dryness and loss of hair, increased fluid in body cavities such as the pericardial sac, subnormal temperature, hoarseness, muscle weakness, and slow return of a muscle to the neutral position after a tendon jerk; usually caused by removal or loss of functioning thyroid tissue. [myx- + G. oidema, swelling]
- congenital m. SYN: infantile hypothyroidism.
- infantile m. SYN: infantile hypothyroidism.
- operative m. m. developing after thyroidectomy.
- pituitary m. m. resulting from inadequate secretion of the thyrotropic hormone; commonly occurs in association with inadequate secretion of other anterior pituitary hormones.

* * *

myx·ede·ma or chiefly Brit myx·oe·de·ma .mik-sə-'dē-mə n severe hypothyroidism characterized by firm inelastic edema, dry skin and hair, and loss of mental and physical vigor
myx·ede·ma·tous or chiefly Brit myx·oe·de·ma·tous -'dem-ət-əs, -'dē-mət- adj

* * *

myx·ede·ma (miks″ə-deґmə) [myxo- + edema] dry, waxy swelling of the skin with abnormal deposits of glycosaminoglycans in the skin or other tissues; it is considered to be a type of mucinosis and is usually associated with primary hypothyroidism. The edema is nonpitting, and there are distinctive facial changes including swollen lips and a thickened nose. Cf. lichen myxedematosus. myxedematous adj

Myxedema in adult hypothyroidism.


Medical dictionary. 2011.

Look at other dictionaries:

  • myxedema — n. (Med.) A pathological condition due to severe hyperthyroidism, marked by dry skin and swellings around lips and nose as well as mental and physical deterioration. [Also spelled {myx[oe]dema}.] [WordNet 1.5 +PJC] …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • myxedema — [mik΄sə dē′mə] n. [ModL: see MYXO & EDEMA] a disease caused by failure of the thyroid gland and characterized by a drying and thickening of the skin and a slowing down of physical and mental activity myxedematous [mik΄sə dē′mətəs] adj …   English World dictionary

  • Myxedema — Myxoedema Classification and external resources Hyaluronan, an example of a mucopolysaccharide. ICD 10 E …   Wikipedia

  • myxedema — myxedematous /mik si dem euh teuhs, dee meuh /, adj. myxedemic /mik si dem ik/, adj. /mik si dee meuh/, n. Pathol. a condition characterized by thickening of the skin, blunting of the senses and intellect, and labored speech, associated with… …   Universalium

  • myxedema — Myxoedema Myx [oe]*de ma, n. [NL. fr. Gr. ? mucus + [oe]dema.] (Med.) A disease producing a peculiar cretinoid appearance of the face, slow speech, and dullness of intellect, and due to failure of the functions of the thyroid gland. [Also spelled …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • Myxedema coma — Classification and external resources ICD 10 E03.5 Myxedema coma is state of decompensated hypothyroidism. The patient may have lab values identical to a normal hypothyroid state, but a stressful event (infections, MI, CVA, drugs, etc.)… …   Wikipedia

  • Myxedema, infantile — Hypothyroidism (subnormal activity of the thyroid gland) that starts after birth and is manifest by features including delays in growth and development and myxedema surfacing during infancy. Myxedema is a dry waxy type of swelling, often with… …   Medical dictionary

  • myxedema madness — psychiatric disturbances resulting from hypothyroidism and myxedema, ranging from mental slowness and loss of memory to agitation and psychosis …   Medical dictionary

  • myxedema — noun Etymology: New Latin, from Greek myxa lamp wick, nasal mucus + New Latin edema edema more at mucus Date: 1877 severe hypothyroidism characterized by firm inelastic edema, dry skin and hair, and loss of mental and physical vigor •… …   New Collegiate Dictionary

  • myxedema — noun A form of cutaneous and dermal edema that is secondary to increased deposition of connective tissue components in subcutaneous tissue …   Wiktionary

Share the article and excerpts

Direct link
… Do a right-click on the link above
and select “Copy Link”