EPENDYMITIS Meaning and
Definition
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Ependymitis is a medical condition characterized by the inflammation of the ependymal cells, which are specialized cells that line the ventricles of the brain and the central canal of the spinal cord. These cells play a crucial role in producing cerebrospinal fluid and providing support to the central nervous system.
The inflammation of the ependymal cells can be caused by various factors including infections, such as bacterial or viral meningitis, or non-infectious causes like tumors or autoimmune disorders. It can lead to a range of symptoms including headaches, fever, neck stiffness, nausea, vomiting, and in severe cases, neurological deficits.
Diagnosis of ependymitis often involves a thorough physical examination, medical history review, and various imaging techniques like magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), computed tomography (CT), or lumbar puncture to evaluate the cerebrospinal fluid.
Treatment for ependymitis typically involves addressing the underlying cause of inflammation, such as administering antibiotics for bacterial infections or antiviral medications for viral causes. Additional treatment may include pain management, fever-reducing medications, and sometimes surgical intervention to remove any obstructions or tumors contributing to the inflammation.
Prognosis for ependymitis depends on the severity of the underlying cause and the promptness of treatment. In cases where infections are promptly addressed and treated effectively, patients generally respond well and recover completely. However, if left untreated or if there are complications, ependymitis can lead to more serious complications and long-term neurological deficits.
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Inflammation of the lining membrane of the ventricles of the brain.
A practical medical dictionary. By Stedman, Thomas Lathrop. Published 1920.
Common Misspellings for EPENDYMITIS
- wpendymitis
- spendymitis
- dpendymitis
- rpendymitis
- 4pendymitis
- 3pendymitis
- eoendymitis
- elendymitis
- e-endymitis
- e0endymitis
- epwndymitis
- epsndymitis
- epdndymitis
- eprndymitis
- ep4ndymitis
- ep3ndymitis
- epebdymitis
- epemdymitis
- epejdymitis
- epehdymitis
Etymology of EPENDYMITIS
The word "ependymitis" is derived from two Greek roots: "ependyma" and "-itis".1. "Ependyma" (ἐπενδύμα) comes from the combination of "epi" (ἐπί), meaning "upon" or "over", and "endyma" (ἔνδυμα), which translates to "garment" or "covering". In the context of anatomy, it specifically refers to the lining or covering of certain structures, particularly the central canal of the spinal cord or the ventricles of the brain.2. "-itis" (-ῖτις) is a suffix in Greek, borrowed by Latin, and commonly used in medical terminology to denote inflammation. It is derived from "itis" (ῖτις), which means "inflammation" or "disease".
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