neurofibromatosis

noun

neu·​ro·​fi·​bro·​ma·​to·​sis ˌnu̇r-ō-(ˌ)fī-ˌbrō-mə-ˈtō-səs 

ˌnyu̇r-

: a disorder inherited as an autosomal dominant and characterized especially by brown spots on the skin, neurofibromas of peripheral nerves, and deformities of subcutaneous tissue and bone

Examples of neurofibromatosis in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

There were many people with neurofibromatosis, but also just different types of disfigurements and disabilities, that spoke a lot about being orphans, about being abandoned by their caretakers and wrestling with rage and wrestling with these feelings of alienation. —Antonia Blyth, Deadline, 6 Jan. 2025

Instead, she is captivated by Oswald, played by Adam Pearson, an actor with neurofibromatosis. —Esther Zuckerman, New York Times, 6 Jan. 2025

In the dark comedy, Stan portrays a struggling actor with neurofibromatosis, a genetic condition that causes his face to be disfigured. —Vivian Kwarm, New York Daily News, 4 Jan. 2025

Appearance and Sensations Each type of neurofibromatosis has specific patterns of symptoms. —Brigid Dwyer, Verywell Health, 20 July 2024

Word History

Etymology

neurofibromat-, Greco-Latin stem of neurofibroma + -osis

First Known Use

1896, in the meaning defined above

Medical Definition

neurofibromatosis

noun

neu·​ro·​fi·​bro·​ma·​to·​sis -fī-ˌbrō-mə-ˈtō-səs 

plural neurofibromatoses -ˌsēz 

1

also neurofibromatosis type 1 or neurofibromatosis 1 : an inherited developmental disorder characterized especially by brown spots on the skin that are typically present at birth, neurofibromas of peripheral nerves, and deformities of subcutaneous tissues and bone

—abbreviation NF, NF-1

called also Recklinghausen's disease, von Recklinghausen's disease

2

also neurofibromatosis type 2 or neurofibromatosis 2 : an inherited disorder characterized by bilateral acoustic neuromas developing in childhood or early adulthood that are typically accompanied by other nonmalignant tumors of the central nervous system

—abbreviation NF, NF-2

Note: Both types of neurofibromatosis are inherited as an autosomal dominant trait requiring that one parent pass on a copy of the defective gene on a chromosome other than a sex chromosome. Type 1 is much more common than type 2.