Muscle weakness is called asthenia. One specific condition characterized by muscle weakness is also called myasthenia.
Understanding Myasthenia
The term myasthenia itself provides a clue to its meaning. According to the reference, it comes from:
- my- from the Greek μυο meaning "muscle"
- -asthenia from the Greek ἀσθένεια meaning "weakness"
Therefore, literally, myasthenia means muscle weakness. While myasthenia refers to a specific disease, the broader term for muscle weakness itself is asthenia.
Key Terms
| Term | Meaning | Origin |
|---|---|---|
| Asthenia | Muscle weakness | Greek (ἀσθένεια) |
| Myasthenia | Muscle weakness (disease) | Greek (μυο and ἀσθένεια) |
