Health Dictionary
Reliable, easy-to-read patient information on common medical conditions — written in plain language, free of jargon, and grounded in current evidence. Browse the most frequent diagnoses, understand what they mean for everyday life, and learn which steps and questions help you have a focused conversation with your doctor.
Mononeuropathy
Introduction
Mononeuropathy (or “mononeuritis“) is a type of neuropathy that only affects a single peripheral or cranial nerve. It is diagnostically useful to distinguish them from peripheral neuropathy and autonomic neuropathy because the limitation in scope makes it more likely that the cause is a localized trauma or infection.
The “pins-and-needles” sensation of one’s “foot falling asleep” (paresthesia) can be caused by a type of mononeuropathy, albeit a temporary one which can be resolved merely by moving around and adjusting to a more appropriate position.
Examples of mononeuropathies
Examples of mononeuropathies
- Limbs
- Facial (note: although these are conditions which affect only a single nerve, they are less frequently called “mononeuropathies” than the conditions above)
- Oculomotor nerve palsy – Oculomotor nerve (III)
- Fourth nerve palsy – Trochlear nerve (IV)
- Sixth nerve palsy – Abducens nerve (VI)
- Bell’s palsy – Facial nerve (VII)
External links
External links
Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]