Von Recklinghausen Disease, also known as neurofibromatosis type 1 (NF1), is a genetic disorder that affects the nervous system, causing the growth of tumors on nerves. These tumors can appear on or under the skin, or in other parts of the body such as the brain and spinal cord. The condition is named after Friedrich Daniel von Recklinghausen, the German physician who first described it in the 19th century. Though often referred to as von Recklinghausen Disease, it is more commonly recognized as NF1, as it encompasses a wider understanding of the disorder. Synonyms for von Recklinghausen Disease include neurofibromatosis type 1, NF1, and Recklinghausen's neurofibromatosis.