What does the word sclerosis mean?
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Induration or hardening of chronic inflammatory origin; especially induration of nervous and other structures by a hyperplasia of the interstitial fibrous connective tissue.
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Induration of soft part, as tissues.
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[ Latin] Hardening, induration, as Primary s. of syphilis; especially, a state of hardening produced by slow inflammation either in bone( Sclerosing osteitis) or in the organs, where it is associated with increase of the interstitial connective tissue and atrophy of the parenchyma( Sclerosing inflammation, Cirrhosis). The term is particularly applied to such a process occurring in the nerve-centres, where the change in the nervous elements is probably the primary event, the proliferation of the connective tissue being secondary. S. may occur in masses, involving a considerable portion of the brain or cord( Diffuse s.) or involving a whole lobe of the brain( Lobar s.), or it may occur as very minute or even microscopical spots of induration( Miliary s.). Amyotrophic lateral s., see Amyotrophic. Annular s., s. involving the whole circumference of the cord. Lateral s., s. of the lateral columns of the cord, occurring either as a primary affection, producing spastic paraplegia( see Paraplegia), or as a degenerative change secondary to myelitis and diseases of the encephalon. The symptoms of the secondary form are those of spastic paraplegia with sensory and other disturbances due to the casual lesion. Multiple s. ( Disseminated s., Insular s.), a disease in which patches of s. occur scattered through the brain( Cerebral s.), cord( Spinal s.), or both( Cerebro-spinal s.), or in the nerves; characterized by peculiar violent jerky spasm of the limbs( especially the arms) when moved, by inco-ordination and muscular weakness, optic-nerve atrophy, impaired vision and contraction of visual fields, nystagmus, peculiar scanning articulation( staccato utterance), headache, vertigo, and mental derangement usually taking the form of undue cheerfulness. The duration is from two to fifteen years, and ends fatally, treatment having little effect upon the disease. Posterior s., tabes dorsalis. S. corii, scleroderma. Vascular s., arterio-capillary fibrosis. See Fibrosis.
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