SWEENY Meaning and
Definition
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Sweeny is a term used in veterinary medicine to describe a condition that affects horses. The condition is also known as brachial plexus avulsion or suprascapular nerve paralysis. Sweeny occurs when the nerves that originate from the brachial plexus, a network of nerves in the shoulder area, are either stretched or torn, resulting in paralysis or weakness of the affected muscles.
The term "Sweeny" derives from the surname of a veterinarian named John O. Sweeney, who first described the condition in the 19th century. It primarily affects horses and can occur due to trauma, such as when a horse falls or collides with an object, causing damage to the nerves in the shoulder area.
Symptoms of Sweeny include atrophy or wasting of the shoulder muscles, along with weakness or an inability to fully extend the affected limb. The condition is typically diagnosed through a physical examination by a veterinarian, who will assess muscle atrophy and evaluate the horse's range of motion.
Treatment for Sweeny aims to restore function to the affected limb. It can include physical therapy, which may involve exercises or muscle stimulation to strengthen the muscles and improve coordination. In severe cases, surgery may be necessary to repair or reconstruct damaged nerves.
Overall, Sweeny is a condition that affects horses, causing paralysis or weakness in the shoulder due to damage to the brachial plexus nerves. It is named after veterinarian John O. Sweeney, who first described the condition.
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Wasting of the muscles over the shoulderblade of a horse, caused by a sprain or by a bruise from an ill-fitting collar.
A practical medical dictionary. By Stedman, Thomas Lathrop. Published 1920.
Common Misspellings for SWEENY
Etymology of SWEENY
The word "Sweeny" primarily refers to an old-fashioned term for a muscle wasting condition in horses, specifically relating to the wasting away of the muscles around the shoulder (brachial) region. The etymology of the word "Sweeny" is thought to be derived from a corruption of the Old English word "swyn(e)y", which means "swineherd's disease" or "pig disease". This term initially referred to a similar muscular atrophy disease found in pigs, but over time, it became associated with the equine condition we now know as Sweeny.
Similar spelling words for SWEENY
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