An infection of the lining of the brain and spinal cord is called which condition?

• A. Meningitis
• B. Encephalitis
• C. Mastoiditis
• D. Subdural hematoma

Answer: (A)

Infections of the membranes that cover the brain and spinal cord are meningitis. The meninges are the protective layers surrounding the CNS, so when they become infected or inflamed, this condition is meningitis. It’s the lining itself that’s affected, not the brain tissue.

Encephalitis, by contrast, involves inflammation of the brain tissue itself, leading to symptoms like confusion, seizures, and focal neurological signs rather than the primary lining inflammation.

Mastoiditis is an infection of the air-filled spaces behind the ear, not the CNS coverings, though it can complicate to involve the CNS in rare cases.

Subdural hematoma is a collection of blood beneath the dura, usually from trauma, and is not an infection.

So the term that describes an infection specifically of the lining around the brain and spinal cord is meningitis.