astereognosis: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
Very LowTechnical / Medical
Quick answer
What does “astereognosis” mean?
An inability to recognize objects by touch alone, despite intact sensory function.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
An inability to recognize objects by touch alone, despite intact sensory function.
A neurological condition characterized by the loss of the ability to perceive the form, size, texture, or weight of an object through tactile sensation, typically resulting from damage to the parietal lobe of the brain.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant differences in usage. The spelling is consistent.
Connotations
Purely clinical and neutral in both varieties.
Frequency
Extremely rare in non-specialist contexts in both regions.
Grammar
How to Use “astereognosis” in a Sentence
[Patient] presented with astereognosis.[Condition] results in astereognosis.The neurologist assessed [patient] for astereognosis.Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “astereognosis” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- The lesion caused him to asterognose common objects.
American English
- The stroke caused her to asterognose keys and coins.
adjective
British English
- The astereognostic deficit was quite pronounced.
American English
- The patient demonstrated astereognotic symptoms.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Not applicable.
Academic
Used exclusively in neurology, neuropsychology, and medical literature.
Everyday
Virtually never used.
Technical
Core term in clinical neurology and neuropsychological assessment.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “astereognosis”
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “astereognosis”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “astereognosis”
- Misspelling as 'astereognosia' (though 'agnosia' is the root).
- Confusing with apraxia (motor planning disorder) or anaesthesia (sensory loss).
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No. Numbness (anaesthesia) is a loss of sensation. In astereognosis, sensation is intact, but the brain cannot interpret the tactile information to recognize the object.
Yes, it is often unilateral, affecting the hand opposite to the side of the brain lesion (contralateral).
Yes, it is typically assessed by asking a blindfolded patient to identify common objects (e.g., key, coin, comb) placed in their hand.
No, it is a specific neurological sign seen in certain brain disorders (e.g., stroke, tumours, cortical atrophy) but is not a common everyday impairment.
An inability to recognize objects by touch alone, despite intact sensory function.
Astereognosis is usually technical / medical in register.
Astereognosis: in British English it is pronounced /ˌæstɛriːɒɡˈnəʊsɪs/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˌæstəriːɑːɡˈnoʊsɪs/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think: A-stereo-gnosis = 'Without' (a-) the 'solid knowledge' (stereognosis) of an object by touch.
Conceptual Metaphor
The hand is a blind eye. (The tactile sense fails to 'see' the object.)
Practice
Quiz
Asterognosis is primarily associated with damage to which area of the brain?