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hypoesthesia

hypoesthesia

9.9
A reduced feeling in part of the body often caused by nerve damage
  • noun
  • /ˌhaɪpoʊɛsˈθiːʒə/
  • Specialized
translation icon : hipoestesia
  • After the injury, he experienced hypoesthesia in his left hand, making it hard to feel objects.

Examples

  • In such patients, an alteration of the anatomy, a loss of motor function, a lack of lubrication, and the presence of anesthesia or hypoesthesia can lead to functional deficits.

    Academic text (2003)
  • It is only through quantitative analysis of the sensory thresholds that we can hope to determine the impact of anesthesia and hypoesthesia on the function of this region.

    Academic text (2003)
  • The doctor explained that hypoesthesia could cause difficulties in everyday tasks, as the patient might not fully sense touch.

  • Due to hypoesthesia from nerve damage, she struggled to notice when her hand was resting on a hot surface.

Synonyms

hypesthesia
vshypoesthesia
  • Specialized
9.9

Less feeling in a part of the body when touched

is identical in meaning but uses the other spelling
dysaphia
vshypoesthesia
  • Specialized
9.9

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

focuses specifically on reduced sensitivity often from nerve impairment

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
normal
1.0
hypoesthesia
  • Specialized
9.9
numbness
19 4.6
anesthesia
  • Specialized
76 4.5

Surface Forms

hypoesthesia singular
hypoesthesias plural

Morphology

hypoesthesia = esthesia (semi-transparent) = hypo + esthesia

The term is built regularly from hypo- 'reduced/below' plus esthesia 'sensation', but both elements are technical rather than common everyday vocabulary.

Etymology

Hypoesthesia comes from Greek parts hypo- meaning 'under' or 'less' and -esthesia meaning 'feeling' or 'sensation', the same root as in anesthesia. So, hypoesthesia means 'less feeling', which is why it describes reduced sensitivity to touch or other senses.