globus hystericus

English

Etymology

Scientific Latin, from Latin globus (“globe”) + hystericus (“hysteric”).

Noun

globus hystericus (uncountable)

1. (medicine) Globus, especially seen as hysterical or psychosomatic. [from 18th c.]
   • 1997, Roy Porter, The Greatest Benefit to Mankind, Folio Society, published 2016, page 78:

     Something which could later be interpreted as hysteria – a disorder marked by palpitations, migratory pain, breathing difficulties and the globus hystericus – might be attributed to a wandering uterus.

   • 2001, Stephen T. Holgate, Martin Church, Lawrence M. Lichtenstein, editors, Allergy, page 168:

     A careful evaluation of a patient with globus hystericus, possibly with the assistance of X-ray or laryngoscopy evidence, reveals no anatomical evidence of upper respiratory obstruction.