Tabes dorsalis

tabes dor·sa·lis (dôr-sls, -sls)

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.

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Tabes dorsalis

A progressive deterioration of the spinal cord and spinal nerves associated with tertiary syphilis.

Mentioned in: Syphilis

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tabes dorsalis Tabes syphilis, tabetic neurosyphilis Neurology Slowly progressive degeneration of the dorsal/posterior columns of the spinal cord typical of late or tertiary phase of syphilis, which occurs a decade or more after infection, when it is improperly treated Clinical Sharp–lightning pain, ataxia, optic nerve degeneration leading to blindness, urinary incontinence, loss of position sense, joint degeneration, aka Charcot's joints. See Charcot's joints, Syphilis. Cf Friedreich's tabes, Pseudotabes.