neuromuscular

American  

[noor-oh-muhs-kyuh-ler, nyoor-] / ˌnʊər oʊˈmʌs kyə lər, ˌnyʊər- /

adjective

1. pertaining to or affecting both nerves and muscles.

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neuromuscular British  

/ ˌnjʊərəʊˈmʌskjʊlə /

adjective

1. of, relating to, or affecting nerves and muscles

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Etymology

Origin of neuromuscular

First recorded in 1875–80; neuro- + muscular

Explanation

In medicine, if something affects both nerves and muscles, it's described as neuromuscular. Conditions like Parkinson's disease and multiple sclerosis are neuromuscular diseases. Neuromuscular combines the scientific prefix neuro-, from a Greek root meaning "nerve," with muscular, which derives from the Latin musculus, "a muscle." The term is used for the physical connection between the nervous and muscular systems, like the neuromuscular junctions throughout the body that allow you to move your muscles, as well as ailments affecting both.

Example Sentences

His stride length, power, and neuromuscular control set him apart.

From Science Daily • Apr. 8, 2026

Obesity’s symptoms and underlying causes are fundamentally different from those of neuromuscular conditions like SMA and FSHD, Chugai said.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 23, 2026

On Facebook groups, neuromuscular therapist Jesse Anoraj often responds to queries from Thai massage therapists seeking clarification about qualification criteria.

From Los Angeles Times • Nov. 21, 2025

Novartis aims to expand its pipeline with Avidity’s late-stage therapies for genetically defined neuromuscular diseases.

From Barron's • Oct. 26, 2025

But there’s another capacity of the neuromuscular system, which is pain.

From "Nickel and Dimed: On (Not) Getting By in America" by Barbara Ehrenreich