Clinical Diagnosis · Nervous System · Medium
Myelitis
Meaning: Inflammation of the spinal cord, causing weakness, sensory loss and bladder problems below the affected level.
In practice: Rapidly progressive leg weakness with a sensory level led to a diagnosis of transverse myelitis.
Word parts
- myel- means spinal cord or bone marrow
- -itis means inflammation
Many medical words are built from Greek and Latin parts like these, so learning a few helps you work out new terms.
Quick check
Two questions on related clinical diagnosis words.
Which word means: Angiotensin II receptor blocker used to lower blood pressure.
Answer: Losartan
Which word means: An exaggerated pain response to a normally painful stimulus.
Answer: Hyperalgesia
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