Neurology

noun /njʊˈrɒl.ə.dʒi/ — The branch of medicine dealing with the nervous system.

Definition

The medical specialty concerned with the diagnosis and treatment of disorders of the nervous system — brain, spinal cord, and peripheral nerves. Neurology sits at the intersection of the mechanical (nerve impulses) and the profound (consciousness, personality, self).

Beyond the definition

Neurology is the medicine closest to philosophy — because the nervous system is where the physical and the personal meet. A neurological event can change who someone is, not just how they feel.

Origin & history

From Greek 'neuron' (nerve) + 'logos' (study). The systematic study of the nervous system developed in the 19th century.

Example sentences

Illustrative sentences for learning, not verified community posts or sourced quotations.

The neurologist explained the stroke as a plumbing problem — but what it had taken from him was a word: his wife's name.

Neurology gives us the language to describe what damage does to persons: aphasia, amnesia, agnosia — the vocabulary of loss.

She went into neurology because the brain was the only organ that could ask questions about itself.

How to use it

This entry uses a noun. Follow the examples for articles and singular or plural forms; not every noun takes “a” or “an.”

Choose “Neurology” when the meaning fits your context: The medical specialty concerned with the diagnosis and treatment of disorders of the nervous system — brain, spinal cord, and peripheral nerves. Neurology sits at the intersection of the mechanical (nerve impulses) and the profound (consciousness, personality, self).

Synonyms

brain medicine, nerve medicine, clinical neuroscience

Related words

Neurology vs psychiatry

Neurology deals with the biological disorders of the nervous system and brain structure. Psychiatry focuses on the diagnosis and treatment of mental, emotional, and behavioral disorders.

Questions about this word

What does "Neurology" mean?

Neurology is noun meaning: The branch of medicine dealing with the nervous system.. The medical specialty concerned with the diagnosis and treatment of disorders of the nervous system — brain, spinal cord, and peripheral nerves. Neurology sits at the intersection of the mechanical (nerve impulses) and the profound (consciousness, personality, self).

Where does the word "Neurology" come from?

From Greek 'neuron' (nerve) + 'logos' (study). The systematic study of the nervous system developed in the 19th century.

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