Definition of Encephalomyelitis

Encephalomyelitis: Inflammation of both the brain and the spinal cord.

Encephalomyelitis can be caused by a variety of conditions that lead to inflammation of the brain and spinal cord. Among the common causes of encephalomyelitis are viruses which infect the nervous system.

One type of encephalomyelitis, acute disseminated encephalomyelitis, occurs most commonly after an acute viral infection such as measles (rubeola) and is due to be an autoimmune attack upon the nervous system.

"Encephalo-" comes from the Greek "enkephalon", brain. "Myelitis" is inflammation of the spinal cord. Encephalomyelitis is also called myeloencephalitis.