The term 'tabetic cuirass' is pronounced as /təˈbɛtɪk kwiˈræs/ and refers to a characteristic appearance of the chest in individuals suffering from tabes dorsalis, a condition that affects the nervous system. The word 'tabetic' is derived from 'tabes', which means wasting away, and 'cuirass' refers to a type of armor worn by soldiers. The spelling of this term may be challenging for some due to the use of uncommon words and a complex phonetic transcription, but is essential to accurately describe the condition.
A tabetic cuirass is a medical condition characterized by a sensory impairment and muscle weakness affecting the trunk region of the body. The term "tabetic" refers to the disease known as tabes dorsalis, a form of neurosyphilis that primarily affects the nervous system, causing damage to the spinal cord and peripheral nerves. "Cuirass" refers to a piece of armor that covers the front and back of the torso, resembling a breastplate. In the context of medical terminology, a tabetic cuirass is a term used to describe a specific symptom associated with tabes dorsalis.
Someone with a tabetic cuirass experiences sensory loss and muscular weakness in the chest and upper abdomen. As a result, they may exhibit a characteristic posture resembling a shield or armor surrounding the trunk area. This posture is typically a protective mechanism adopted by the body due to the sensory and motor deficits caused by tabes dorsalis.
The tabetic cuirass is caused by the degeneration of the sensory nerve fibers that transmit information from the trunk to the brain. This degeneration occurs due to the damage caused by neurosyphilis, a sexually transmitted infection caused by the bacterium Treponema pallidum.
Overall, a tabetic cuirass is a distinct manifestation of the sensory impairment and muscle weakness associated with tabes dorsalis, resulting in a characteristic posture resembling a protective armor surrounding the trunk region of the body.
An anesthetic area on the chest sometimes noted in cases of tabes dorsalis.
A practical medical dictionary. By Stedman, Thomas Lathrop. Published 1920.
The term "tabetic cuirass" refers to a characteristic deformity of the chest seen in patients with advanced neurosyphilis called "tabes dorsalis". The etymology of the word can be broken down as follows:
1. Tabetic: The adjective "tabetic" is derived from "tabes", which originates from the Latin word "tabes" meaning "wasting or degeneration". In medical terminology, "tabes dorsalis" refers to a progressive degeneration of the posterior columns of the spinal cord, resulting in various neurological symptoms.
2. Cuirass: The term "cuirass" comes from the French word "cuirasse", which means "a breastplate". It is derived from the Latin word "coriaceus" meaning "made of leather" or "corium" meaning "hide or skin".