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Glite Dictionary
supranuclear

supranuclear

1 9.2
Located above a cell nucleus or above groups of brain cells
  • adjective
  • /ˌsuːprəˈnjuːklɪər/
  • Specialized
translation icon : supranuclear
  • Research is ongoing to understand the effects of supranuclear damage in the brain.
  • supranuclear palsy
  • progressive supranuclear

Examples

  • Progressive supranuclear palsy is a rare disorder that affects balance and coordination.

  • The latter is seen in a rare type of Parkinson's syndrome, progressive supranuclear palsy, that affects autonomic function.

    Academic text (2011)

  • The doctor explained that the symptoms of supranuclear palsy can worsen over time.

How High

supranuclear
  • Specialized
1 9.2
nuclear
  • Specialized
104 6.5
perinuclear
  • Specialized
8.5
nonnuclear
  • Specialized
6.1

Surface Forms

supranuclear positive

Morphology

supranuclear = nuclear (semi-transparent) = supra + nuclear

The prefix 'supra-' means 'above' but is a relatively specialized scientific combining form, so learners who know 'nuclear' may not automatically infer the meaning.

Etymology

The word supranuclear comes from the prefix supra- meaning 'above' and nuclear, from nucleus meaning 'center' or 'core'. So supranuclear literally means 'above the center', which is why doctors use it for parts of a cell or the brain that lie above the nucleus.