Diseases

Retrograde Degeneration

Pathologic changes that occur in the axon and cell body of a neuron proximal to an axonal lesion. The process is characterized by central chromatolysis which features flattening and displacement of the nucleus, loss of Nissl bodies, and cellular edema. Central chromatolysis primarily occurs in lower motor neurons.

National Library of MedicineMedical Subject Headings2026

Structured Summary

Abstract

Pathologic changes that occur in the axon and cell body of a neuron proximal to an axonal lesion. The process is characterized by central chromatolysis which features flattening and displacement of the nucleus, loss of Nissl bodies, and cellular edema. Central chromatolysis primarily occurs in lower motor neurons.

MeSH Record

Classification

Broader headings

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MeSH Record

Synonyms

24 entry terms
  • Axon Reaction
  • Axonal Reaction
  • Nissl Degeneration
  • Axon Reactions
  • Axonal Reactions
  • Degeneration, Nissl
  • Degeneration, Retrograde
  • Degenerations, Retrograde
  • Reaction, Axon
  • Reaction, Axonal
  • Reactions, Axon
  • Reactions, Axonal
  • Retrograde Degenerations
  • Retrograde Degeneration, Transneuronal
  • Trans-Synaptic Degeneration
  • Degeneration, Trans-Synaptic
  • Degeneration, Transneuronal Retrograde
  • Degenerations, Trans-Synaptic
  • Degenerations, Transneuronal Retrograde
  • Retrograde Degenerations, Transneuronal
  • Trans Synaptic Degeneration
  • Trans-Synaptic Degenerations
  • Transneuronal Retrograde Degeneration
  • Transneuronal Retrograde Degenerations

MeSH Record

Aspects Covered

35 allowable subheadings

Indexed with the subheadings blood, cerebrospinal fluid, chemically induced, classification, complications, congenital, diagnosis, diagnostic imaging, diet therapy, drug therapy, economics, embryology, enzymology, epidemiology, ethnology, etiology, genetics, history, immunology, metabolism, microbiology, mortality, nursing, parasitology, pathology, physiopathology, prevention & control, psychology, radiotherapy, rehabilitation, surgery, therapy, urine, veterinary, virology.

MeSH Record

History Note

91(75); was see under NERVE DEGENERATION 1975-90; NISSL DEGENERATION was see NERVE DEGENERATION 1997, was heading 1975-96 (see under NERVE DEGENERATION 1975-90)

MeSH Hierarchy

Tree Number

  1. C23.550.737.500

AMA Style

References

  1. National Library of Medicine. Retrograde Degeneration. Medical Subject Headings (MeSH). 2026. Unique ID D012183. http://id.nlm.nih.gov/mesh/2026/D012183
  2. Retrograde Degeneration. In: Wikidata. https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q55093261