rhabdomyolysis

noun

rhab·​do·​my·​ol·​y·​sis ˌrab-dō-mī-ˈä-lə-səs 

: the destruction or degeneration of muscle tissue (as from traumatic injury, excessive exertion, or stroke) accompanied by the release of breakdown products into the bloodstream and sometimes leading to acute renal failure

Examples of rhabdomyolysis in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

She was diagnosed with rhabdomyolysis, a muscle injury where your tissue breaks down at a rapid rate and overwhelms your internal organs. —Ct Jones, Rolling Stone, 20 Aug. 2025

Although rare, severe cases could lead to rhabdomyolysis, seizures, or even a coma. —Jennifer Heimlich, SELF, 18 Aug. 2025

At the hospital, she is diagnosed with rhabdomyolysis, a muscle condition which can be life-threatening, and which can be caused by serious exercise. —Olivia B. Waxman, Time, 15 Aug. 2025

Yukich had developed rhabdomyolysis, described by the Cleveland Clinic as a condition that causes muscles to disintegrate. —Erin Jensen, USA Today, 15 Aug. 2025

Word History

Etymology

rhabdo- + myo- + -lysis

Note: The term was introduced by Drummond H. Bowden et al., "Acute recurrent rhabdomyolysis (paroxysmal myohaemoglobinuria)," Medicine, vol. 35, issue 4 (December, 1956), pp. 335-54.

First Known Use

1956, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for rhabdomyolysis

• glycogenolysis
• autolysis
• cytolysis
• glycolysis
• haemolysis
• hydrolysis
• lipolysis
• photolysis
• pyrolysis
• thermolysis
• electrolysis
• fibrinolysis

Medical Definition

rhabdomyolysis

noun

rhab·​do·​my·​ol·​y·​sis ˌrab-dō-mī-ˈäl-ə-səs 

plural rhabdomyolyses -ˌsēz 

: the destruction or degeneration of skeletal muscle tissue (as from traumatic injury, excessive exertion, or stroke) that is accompanied by the release of muscle cell contents (as myoglobin and potassium) into the bloodstream resulting in hypovolemia, hyperkalemia, and sometimes acute renal failure