The Latin word for scar is sclerosis. Thus, the term multiple sclerosis was chosen to describe the appearance of the brain in patients who died with this illness. Pathologists call these scars plaques.

How did multiple sclerosis get its name?

The name multiple sclerosis refers to the scars (sclerae – better known as plaques or lesions) that form in the nervous system. These lesions most commonly affect the white matter in the optic nerve, brain stem, basal ganglia, and spinal cord, or white matter tracts close to the lateral ventricles.

What sclerosis means?

Definition of sclerosis 1 : pathological hardening of tissue especially from overgrowth of fibrous tissue or increase in interstitial tissue also : a disease characterized by sclerosis. 2 : an inability or reluctance to adapt or compromise political sclerosis.