[dawr-sal-is, -sey-lis] 
| syphilis of the spinal cord and its appendages, characterized by shooting pains and other sensory disturbances, and, in the later stages, by paralysis. |
| locomotor ataxia n. See tabes dorsalis. |
| tabes dor·sa·lis (dôr-sā'lĭs, -sāl'ĭs) n. A late form of syphilis resulting in a hardening of the dorsal columns of the spinal cord and marked by shooting pains, emaciation, loss of muscular coordination, and disturbances of sensation and digestion. Also called locomotor ataxia. [New Latin tābēs dorsālis : Latin tābēs, tabes + Late Latin dorsālis, dorsal.] |
locomotor ataxia n.
See tabes dorsalis.
tabes dorsalis tabes dor·sa·lis (dôr-sā'lĭs, -sāl'ĭs)
n.
A late form of syphilis resulting in hardening of the dorsal columns of the spinal cord and characterized by shooting pains, emaciation, loss of muscular coordination, and disturbances of sensation and digestion. Also called Duchenne's disease, locomotor ataxia, spinal atrophy.
locomotor ataxia
rare neurologic form of tertiary syphilis, involving sensory deficits, loss of neuromuscular coordination, and diminished reflexes. Symptoms of this form of neurosyphilis chiefly affect the legs and may not appear for more than 25 years after the initial infection. Untreated, tabes dorsalis usually makes unassisted walking impossible and severely debilitates the victim.
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