encephalomeningitis

9.9

A swelling of the brain, the thin layers around it, and the spinal cord

noun
/ˌɛnˌsɛfəloʊˌmɛnɪnˈdʒaɪtɪs/

Specialized

: encefalomeningitis

The patient was diagnosed with encephalomeningitis after exhibiting severe neurological symptoms.

Examples

Researchers are studying vaccines that could reduce the incidence of encephalomeningitis worldwide.
Doctors are concerned about the rise in encephalomeningitis cases.
Prompt treatment is crucial in cases of encephalomeningitis to prevent complications.
The patient was diagnosed with encephalomeningitis last week.
Prompt treatment is crucial in cases of encephalomeningitis to prevent complications.
The patient was diagnosed with encephalomeningitis after exhibiting severe neurological symptoms.
Researchers are studying vaccines that could reduce the incidence of encephalomeningitis worldwide.

Synonyms

meningoencephalitis

vsencephalomeningitis

Specialized

1 9.9

Inflammation of the brain, the tissues around it, and the spinal cord

is the same condition but named with a different medical term

cerebromeningitis

vsencephalomeningitis

Specialized

9.9

Swelling and irritation of the brain, spinal cord, and their coverings

is the same condition but expressed using an alternate clinical name

Surface Forms

encephalomeningitis singular

encephalomeningitides plural

Morphology

encephalomeningitis = meningitis (semi-transparent) = encephalo + meningitis

The structure is a combining form 'encephalo-' added to the standalone medical noun 'meningitis'; this is clear to readers with medical knowledge but not to general B1 learners.

Etymology

Encephalomeningitis breaks into encephalo- ('brain'), mening- ('membrane', the protective layers around the brain and spinal cord) and -itis ('inflammation', the same ending you see in illness names like tonsillitis). So encephalomeningitis literally names the inflammation of the brain and its membranes, which explains the modern medical meaning.