dysphasia
Pronunciation: dis-FAY-zee-ah
Partial loss of language ability affecting comprehension, expression, or both following brain injury.
Full Definition
Dysphasia is a partial impairment of language function resulting from acquired brain damage, typically to the left hemisphere in right-handed individuals. Unlike complete aphasia, dysphasia involves residual language abilities with varying degrees of difficulty in speaking, understanding, reading, or writing. The condition can be classified as expressive (Broca-type), receptive (Wernicke-type), or mixed, depending on the predominant areas of dysfunction. Dysphasia commonly occurs following stroke, traumatic brain injury, or other lesions affecting language-dominant brain regions. Recovery potential varies based on lesion location, size, and individual factors.
Usage
Usage note: Some authors use dysphasia and aphasia interchangeably, but dysphasia typically implies partial rather than complete language loss.
In Context
- "The patient developed mild expressive dysphasia following left frontal stroke." — Speech therapy referral
- "Recovery from dysphasia was monitored using standardised language assessments." — Rehabilitation progress notes