Definition

1. Noun:
   • A clinical sign of meningitis: Kernig's sign is a physical examination finding where a patient, lying on their back, is unable to fully straighten (extend) the knee when the hip is bent (flexed) to a 90-degree angle. This is due to pain and stiffness in the hamstring muscles caused by irritation of the meninges (the membranes covering the brain and spinal cord).

Usage Examples

• Noun:
  • The physician checked for Kernig's sign to help diagnose the suspected case of bacterial meningitis.
  • A positive Kernig's sign, along with a stiff neck, is a classic indicator of meningeal irritation.

Advanced Usage

• "To elicit Kernig's sign": This phrase describes the specific medical maneuver performed by a clinician to check for this symptom.
  • The doctor attempted to elicit Kernig's sign by flexing the patient's hip and then trying to extend the knee.

Variants and Related Words

• Brudzinski's sign (n): Another physical sign of meningitis, where passive flexion of the neck causes involuntary flexion of the hips and knees.
• Meningism (n): A set of symptoms similar to those of meningitis, such as headache and neck stiffness, but not caused by inflammation.

Synonyms

• Clinical sign of meningitis: A more general descriptive term.
• Meningeal sign: A category of physical exam findings that indicate irritation of the meninges, which includes Kernig's sign.

Related Phrases

• "Positive Kernig's sign": Used when the test maneuver successfully produces the characteristic pain and resistance, indicating a positive finding.

  • The emergency room report noted a positive Kernig's sign.

• "Negative Kernig's sign": Used when the test maneuver does not produce pain or resistance, indicating the sign is not present.

  • Fortunately, the patient had a negative Kernig's sign, reducing the likelihood of meningitis.

Noun

1. symptom of meningitis; patient cannot extend the leg at the knee when the thigh is flexed because of stiffness in the hamstrings