A medical condition where a person loses the ability to walk normally, even though their legs are physically capable of moving, usually due to a neurological problem.
From Greek 'a-' (without) + 'basis' (stepping, walking). Created in medical terminology in the 19th century to describe movement disorders where the machinery works but coordination fails.
Abasia is a fascinating neurological puzzle—your legs work perfectly fine, but your brain can't coordinate them to walk. It's the opposite of paralysis because there's nothing physically wrong with the muscles; the disconnect is purely neurological and sometimes even psychological.
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