tabes dorsalis

[ dawr-sal-is, -sey-lis ]

noun

, Pathology.

1. syphilis of the spinal cord and its appendages, characterized by shooting pains and other sensory disturbances, and, in the later stages, by paralysis.

tabes dorsalis

/ dɔːˈsɑːlɪs /

noun

1. a form of late syphilis that attacks the spinal cord causing degeneration of the nerve fibres, pains in the legs, paralysis of the leg muscles, acute abdominal pain, etc Also calledlocomotor ataxia

Word History and Origins

Origin of tabes dorsalis¹

1675–85; < New Latin tābēs dorsālis literally, tabes of the back; dorsal ¹

Word History and Origins

Origin of tabes dorsalis¹

New Latin, literally: tabes of the back; see tabes , dorsal

Example Sentences

The work of Flexner and Noguchi on paresis and tabes dorsalis show that always in such afflictions the tissues of the central nervous system have been invaded by the parasite.

From Project Gutenberg

There is none of the distress caused by true an�sthesia, as, for instance, by the "tabetic mask," or insensibility of part of the face, which sometimes occurs in tabes dorsalis.

From Project Gutenberg

In tabes dorsalis faradic treatment will often diminish the anaesthesia and numbness in the legs, with resulting benefit to the ataxy.

From Project Gutenberg

Soon after this he was suddenly stricken down by disease--tabes dorsalis; his body gradually died, beginning at the feet and moving up to the brain, a process which lasted several weeks.

From Project Gutenberg

Neuro-Arthropathies.—Charcot's disease is usually met with in men over thirty who suffer from tabes dorsalis.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• acquired immune deficiency syndrome
• AIDS
• gonorrhea
• herpes
• syphilis
• the clap
• venereal disease