Charcot–Marie–Tooth disease
a slowly progressive neuromuscular disorder characterized by muscle wasting (atrophy) and weakness in the arms (from the elbows down) and legs (from the knees down); feeling and movement in these areas may be lost. The disease, which results from degeneration of peripheral motor and sensory nerves, typically does not affect life expectancy. Usually autosomal dominant (see dominant allele), it occasionally has recessive forms resulting in more severe symptoms. Also called peroneal muscular atrophy. [Jean-Martin Charcot and Pierre Marie (1853–1940), French neurologists; Howard Tooth (1856–1925), British physician]