Definition

Noun A serious medical condition characterized by inflammation of the brain and the meninges (the protective membranes covering the brain and spinal cord). It is a combined form of encephalitis (brain inflammation) and meningitis (meningeal inflammation).

Usage

This is a technical, medical term used in clinical and scientific contexts. * The patient was diagnosed with meningoencephalitis after presenting with a high fever, severe headache, and confusion. * Viral infections are a common cause of meningoencephalitis. * The study focused on the long-term neurological outcomes of survivors of meningoencephalitis.

Advanced Usage

• The term is often specified by its cause, e.g., , .
• It is a more severe condition than meningitis alone, as it involves direct inflammation of the brain tissue itself.

Variants and Related Words

• Encephalitis (noun): Inflammation of the brain.
• Meningitis (noun): Inflammation of the meninges.
• Meningoencephalitic (adjective): Relating to or affected by meningoencephalitis.

Synonyms

• Cerebromeningitis (noun, technical)
• Encephalomeningitis (noun, technical)

Note: There are no common idioms or phrasal verbs associated with this highly specialized medical term.

Noun

1. inflammation of the brain and spinal cord and their meninges