What does neurology mean?
Neurology is the branch of medicine concerned with the nervous system, including the brain, spinal cord, peripheral nerves, and the muscles and organs they influence. A neurologist diagnoses and treats disorders involving these structures, while neurology also names the broader field of clinical and scientific study that supports such care. In ordinary use, the word is formal and technical: it can refer either to a medical specialty or to an academic discipline, depending on context. The term is related to neuroscience, which studies the nervous system across several disciplines, and to neurobiology, which emphasizes its biological organization. Neurology is especially associated with conditions such as migraine, epilepsy, Parkinson's disease, and neuropathies. Its importance extends beyond treating illness: understanding neurology also illuminates how the nervous system produces movement, sensation, memory, and many aspects of human behavior.
nounThe branch of medicine concerned with the study, diagnosis, and treatment of disorders affecting the nervous system, including the brain, spinal cord, and peripheral nerves.
- The medical study and treatment of the nervous system and its disorders.
- The broader academic field concerned with nervous-system structure, function, and disease.
"She specializes in neurology, with a particular interest in migraine and epilepsy."
"Advances in neurology have transformed the diagnosis and treatment of stroke."
"Her undergraduate degree in neurology provided a strong foundation for clinical research."
Rare in ordinary usage; the singular is usual when referring to the field or specialty as a whole.
"Different neurologies may place greater emphasis on diagnosis, intervention, or basic research."
Neurology literally means “the study of nerves”—a deceptively simple name for the branch of medicine that investigates the brain, spinal cord, nerves, and everything they control.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does neurology come from?
Neurology was formed through a Latinized combination of Greek neuron, meaning “nerve,” and the Greek-derived suffix -logia, meaning “study of.” The term entered English in the early 17th century through French, following the development of the word in European scientific and medical writing. Its relatives—including neuron, neural, neurological, and neuropathy—preserve the same Greek foundation.
Related word forms
How neurology is actually used
The word is formal and technical. In clinical contexts, neurology usually denotes the medical specialty, while in academic contexts it may refer to research concerning the nervous system and its disorders.
Easily confused with neurology
Neurology is the medical discipline or field of study, while neurological is the adjective describing something related to it.