Meningitis: Medical Term Etymology and Meaning

Meningitis originates from two Greek roots:

• Meninx (μενιγξ): membrane (specifically the meninges)
• -itis (-ιτις): inflammation

Therefore, meningitis = inflammation of the meninges—the three protective membranes (dura mater, arachnoid mater, pia mater) surrounding the brain and spinal cord. It is a medical emergency typically caused by infection (bacterial, viral, fungal) but can also result from non-infectious causes (autoimmune, drug reactions, malignancy).