hypesthesia

9.9

Less feeling in a part of the body when touched

noun
/haɪˈpɛsθiə/

Specialized

: hipoestesia

Diabetic neuropathy often leads to hypesthesia in the feet and hands.

Examples

After the nerve injury, he developed hypesthesia in his fingertips, making it hard to feel textures.
A neurologist tested for hypesthesia by gently touching different areas of the skin.
The patient exhibited hypesthesia in her left arm after the accident.
The patient experienced hypesthesia in her left arm.
Doctors often diagnose hypesthesia through sensory tests.
The neurologist confirmed the diagnosis of hypesthesia by testing the patient's sensitivity to light touch.
The doctor explained that hypesthesia can occur in patients with conditions affecting their nerves.

Synonyms

hypoesthesia

vshypesthesia

Specialized

9.9

A reduced feeling in part of the body often caused by nerve damage

means reduced touch sensitivity specifically, not broader sensory loss

dysaphia

vshypesthesia

Specialized

9.9

A problem with feeling touch that makes the skin feel numb or strange

refers to a measurable lowered sensitivity rather than a general disturbance

Antonyms

hyperesthesia

Specialized

1 9.9

An increased sensitivity to touch and other senses that makes even light contact painful

How Sensitive

hyperesthesia

Specialized

1 9.9

hypesthesia

Specialized

9.9

anesthesia

Specialized

76 4.5

Surface Forms

hypesthesia singular

hypesthesias plural

Morphology

hypesthesia = esthesia (opaque) = hypo + esthesia

Although the word is built from the medical prefix hypo- plus esthesia, the term is specialized and not readily interpretable for an average B1 learner.

Etymology

Hypesthesia comes from Greek parts hypo- meaning 'under' or 'less' and -esthesia from aisthesis meaning 'feeling' or 'sensation'. So, hypesthesia literally means 'less feeling', which is why it describes a reduced sensitivity to touch, similar to how anesthesia means 'no feeling'.