Meningitic streak is a medical term used to describe a thin red or purple line that appears on the skin due to meningococcal infection. The spelling of this word is pronounced as /mɪˌnɪndʒɪtɪk striːk/ in IPA phonetic transcription. The first syllable "menin" refers to the meninges, the membranes that cover the brain and spinal cord, whereas the second syllable "giti" refers to the word meningitis. The suffix "-ic" is commonly used to denote an adjective meaning "related to", and "streak" refers to the visible mark on the skin.
Meningitic streak refers to a condition characterized by the presence of streak-like lesions or markings in the meninges, which are the protective membranes covering the brain and spinal cord. These streaks or linear markings may be observed during the course of meningitis, an inflammation of the meninges usually caused by infection. Meningitic streaks are commonly associated with certain types of bacterial meningitis, such as Haemophilus influenzae or Neisseria meningitidis.
These streaks are caused by inflammation and infiltration of immune cells into the meninges, resulting in the formation of linear areas of increased vascularity and congestion. The presence of meningitic streaks is often indicative of an advanced stage of meningitis, where the infection and inflammation have significantly progressed.
In medical practice, the diagnosis of meningitic streaks is primarily made through imaging techniques like computed tomography (CT) or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). These imaging methods can help visualize the characteristic streak-like patterns in the meninges, aiding in the diagnosis and assessment of the severity of meningitis.
Prompt recognition and treatment of meningitic streaks are crucial, as they indicate a severe and potentially life-threatening condition. Intravenous antibiotics and other appropriate therapies are typically administered to combat the underlying infection and reduce the inflammation associated with the meningitic streaks, improving the overall prognosis for the patient.
Tache cerebrale, a line of redness following the drawing of the nail or a pencil-point across the skin, marked especially in cases of meningitis and other acute affections of the nerve-centers.
A practical medical dictionary. By Stedman, Thomas Lathrop. Published 1920.
The word "meningitic streak" is a medical term used to describe a condition associated with inflammation of the meninges, which are the protective membranes covering the brain and spinal cord.
The etymology of the term can be broken down as follows:
1. Meninges: The term "meninges" originated from the Greek word "meninx", which means "membrane" or "cover". It was later adapted into Latin as "meninges" (plural form of "meninx").
2. -itic: The suffix "-itic" is derived from the Greek suffix "-itēs", which means "inflammation" or "disease condition".
3. Streak: In this context, "streak" refers to the linear appearance of inflammation along the meninges.