retropulsion: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
Very Low / SpecializedHighly Technical / Medical
Quick answer
What does “retropulsion” mean?
The act or tendency of being forced or pushed backward, especially a symptom of certain neurological disorders where a patient involuntarily steps or falls backward.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
The act or tendency of being forced or pushed backward, especially a symptom of certain neurological disorders where a patient involuntarily steps or falls backward.
In general medical usage, any backward displacement or movement. In engineering, it can refer to a backward thrust, though this is rare.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant difference in meaning. Spelling is identical. Usage is confined to identical medical specialties in both regions.
Connotations
Specifically associated with Parkinson's disease and other parkinsonian syndromes.
Frequency
Equally rare in both varieties, used only by medical professionals.
Grammar
How to Use “retropulsion” in a Sentence
The patient exhibited marked retropulsion.Retropulsion is a feature of progressive supranuclear palsy.The neurologist tested for retropulsion by pulling the patient backward.Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “retropulsion” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- The patient tends to retropulse when their balance is challenged.
American English
- Patients with this condition may retropulse during the pull test.
adverb
British English
- He moved retropulsively, a step at a time.
American English
- The patient fell retropulsively after a slight nudge.
adjective
British English
- The retropulsive gait was a clear diagnostic indicator.
American English
- She presented with retropulsive tendencies.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Not used.
Academic
Used in medical and neurology journals and textbooks to describe a specific clinical sign.
Everyday
Virtually never used.
Technical
Core term in neurology and movement disorder clinics.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “retropulsion”
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “retropulsion”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “retropulsion”
- Misspelling as 'retropultion' or 'retropulson'.
- Using it outside a medical context.
- Confusing it with 'repulsion' (a feeling of disgust).
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No, it is a very specialized medical term used almost exclusively by neurologists and related healthcare professionals.
It is most commonly a symptom of Parkinson's disease and other parkinsonian disorders, caused by a disruption in the brain's basal ganglia affecting postural reflexes.
Treatment focuses on managing the underlying condition (e.g., Parkinson's disease) with medication, physiotherapy, and balance training to reduce fall risk.
Propulsion refers to a forward-driving force or movement. Retropulsion is its opposite: a backward-driving force or movement, specifically an involuntary one in a medical context.
The act or tendency of being forced or pushed backward, especially a symptom of certain neurological disorders where a patient involuntarily steps or falls backward.
Retropulsion is usually highly technical / medical in register.
Retropulsion: in British English it is pronounced /ˌrɛtrə(ʊ)ˈpʌlʃ(ə)n/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˌrɛtroʊˈpʌlʃən/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “None.”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of 'retro' (like retro style = looking back to the past) + 'pulsion' (like propulsion, which pushes forward). Retropulsion is the opposite of propulsion—it pushes you backward.
Conceptual Metaphor
THE BODY IS AN UNSTABLE OBJECT BEING PUSHED BACKWARDS.
Practice
Quiz
In which field is the term 'retropulsion' primarily used?