The spelling of "tache meningeale" can be a bit tricky for English speakers, as it is a French term used in medicine to refer to a symptom of meningitis. In IPA phonetic transcription, it is pronounced /tɑʃ mɛnɛ̃ʒjal/. The "tache" (meaning "spot") begins with a voiced "t" sound, while "meningeale" has a nasal "in" sound and a guttural "j" sound similar to the "s" in "pleasure." The word can be hard to spell correctly, as it uses French vowels and nasal sounds not commonly found in English words.
Tache meningeale refers to a medical term derived from the French term "tache" meaning spot or stain, and "meningeale" relating to the meninges, which are the protective membranes surrounding the brain and spinal cord. In medical literature, "tache meningeale" is commonly referred to as meningeal signs or symptoms.
Meningeal signs are clinical manifestations associated with inflammation or irritation of the meninges. When the meninges are affected by infections, such as viral or bacterial meningitis, the body often responds by exhibiting certain characteristic signs. These signs serve as key clues for healthcare professionals to assess and diagnose the condition.
Typically, tache meningeale is characterized by three primary signs: neck stiffness (also known as nuchal rigidity), positive Kernig's sign, and positive Brudzinski's sign. Neck stiffness refers to the resistance or difficulty in flexing or moving the neck due to underlying inflammation of the meninges. Kernig's sign signifies the pain in the back of the leg and resistance to leg extension when the leg is bent at the hip and knee. Brudzinski's sign is associated with neck flexion, where the involuntary flexion of the patient's legs occurs when the neck is flexed towards the chest.
These meningeal signs are important diagnostic indicators and are often assessed during physical examinations when a patient presents with symptoms suggesting possible meningitis. However, it is important to note that these signs are not exclusively seen in meningitis and may also be present in other conditions affecting the meninges.
In summary, tache meningeale, or meningeal signs, refers to specific clinical manifestations used by medical professionals to identify inflammation or irritation of the meninges during physical examinations, commonly associated with conditions
Meningitic streak.
A practical medical dictionary. By Stedman, Thomas Lathrop. Published 1920.
The term "tache meningeale" does not have a well-established etymology on its own. However, it can be broken down into two parts: "tache" and "meningeale".
1. "Tache": The word "tache" is derived from the French word "tache", meaning "spot" or "stain". In English, it is commonly used to refer to a small mark or blemish.
2. "Meningeale": This term is related to the word "meninges", which refers to the three protective membranes that surround the brain and spinal cord. These membranes are called the dura mater, arachnoid mater, and pia mater. The word "meninges" derives from the Greek word "meninx", meaning "membrane".