Myoses

Part of speech: noun

Definitions

1. An abnormal increase in the number of muscle fibers resulting in various physiological changes or conditions
2. a pathological condition wherein muscle tissue undergoes degeneration or transformation
3. a term describing the development of muscle-related diseases that affect muscle growth or functionality

Etymology: "Myoses" is simply the plural of "myosis," so its history is that of the singular form. The word is built from Greek roots, with "mys" (muscle) at its heart, and the Greek-derived ending "-osis" pointing to a process or condition. In medical usage the term describes an abnormal increase in the number of muscle fibres, the kind of change that can produce a range of physiological effects. Because the plural follows the classical pattern of Greek nouns ending in "-is" becoming "-es," the form "myoses" appears in technical writing when more than one case is discussed. The term is a specialist coinage from classical roots rather than a word that circulated in ancient Greek with this exact sense.