Definition, Meaning & Synonyms

tabes

Noun

/ˈteɪ.biːz/

Definition

Tabes refers to the progressive degeneration of the spinal cord, commonly associated with syphilis and characterized by sensory loss and ataxia.

Examples

The patient exhibited signs of tabes, such as difficulty walking and diminished reflexes.
Tabes can significantly affect a person’s quality of life due to its debilitating symptoms.
Historically, tabes was a common concern before the widespread use of antibiotics to treat syphilis.

Meaning

In a medical context, tabes is often linked to neurosyphilis, where the degeneration leads to the impairment of sensory nerves and can cause significant balance and coordination issues.