Diseases

Mutism

The inability to generate oral-verbal expression, despite normal comprehension of speech. This may be associated with BRAIN DISEASES or MENTAL DISORDERS. Organic mutism may be associated with damage to the FRONTAL LOBE; BRAIN STEM; THALAMUS; and CEREBELLUM. Selective mutism is a psychological condition that usually affects children characterized by continuous refusal to speak in social situations by a child who is able and willing to speak to selected persons. Kussmal aphasia refers to mutism in psychosis. (From Fortschr Neurol Psychiatr 1994; 62(9):337-44)

National Library of MedicineMedical Subject Headings2026

Structured Summary

Abstract

The inability to generate oral-verbal expression, despite normal comprehension of speech. This may be associated with BRAIN DISEASES or MENTAL DISORDERS. Organic mutism may be associated with damage to the FRONTAL LOBE; BRAIN STEM; THALAMUS; and CEREBELLUM. Selective mutism is a psychological condition that usually affects children characterized by continuous refusal to speak in social situations by a child who is able and willing to speak to selected persons. Kussmal aphasia refers to mutism in psychosis. (From Fortschr Neurol Psychiatr 1994; 62(9):337-44)

MeSH Record

Classification

Broader headings

Related Concepts

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MeSH Record

Synonyms

24 entry terms
  • Mutisms
  • Kussmaul Aphasia
  • Kussmaul's Aphasia
  • Mutism, Conversion
  • Mutism, Elective
  • Mutism, Organic
  • Mutism, Selective
  • Mutism, Voluntary
  • Selective Mutism
  • Aphasia, Kussmaul
  • Aphasia, Kussmaul's
  • Conversion Mutism
  • Conversion Mutisms
  • Elective Mutism
  • Elective Mutisms
  • Kussmauls Aphasia
  • Mutisms, Conversion
  • Mutisms, Elective
  • Mutisms, Organic
  • Mutisms, Voluntary
  • Organic Mutism
  • Organic Mutisms
  • Voluntary Mutism
  • Voluntary Mutisms

MeSH Record

Aspects Covered

31 allowable subheadings

Indexed with the subheadings blood, cerebrospinal fluid, chemically induced, classification, complications, diagnosis, diagnostic imaging, diet therapy, drug therapy, economics, enzymology, epidemiology, ethnology, etiology, genetics, history, immunology, metabolism, microbiology, mortality, nursing, parasitology, pathology, physiopathology, prevention & control, psychology, rehabilitation, surgery, therapy, urine, virology.

MeSH Record

History Note

1969(1963)

MeSH Hierarchy

Tree Numbers

  1. C10w.597.606.150w.500w.800w.500w
  2. C23.888w.592.604.150w.500w.800w.500w
  3. F03w.625w.875w

AMA Style

References

  1. National Library of Medicine. Mutism. Medical Subject Headings (MeSH). 2026. Unique ID D009155. http://id.nlm.nih.gov/mesh/2026/D009155
  2. Mutism. In: Wikipedia. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Muteness
  3. Mutism. In: Wikidata. https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q671776