Professor Lyon Hough
BMS 307
September 7, 2017
Unit 1 Case Study Having read the case and knowing the symptoms, I would claim that the patient has Spinal Meningitis. Meningitis is a rare infection of the arachnoid and pia mater membranes that cover the spinal cord (Meningitis). This infection can be bacterial or viral transmitted by direct spread and can progress within a few hours or days. Common symptoms include: severe headaches, high fever, stiff neck, fatigue, muscle aches, skin rash, and photophobia (Drake 434). The patient has five of these seven symptoms. The likely cause of her Meningitis was the gym, where bacteria and viruses are spread easily. The infection often starts with a headache, fatigue, and stiff neck, which is what the patient originally …show more content…
The skin’s three layers contain pigment, tough connective tissue, hair follicles, sweat glands, and fat which provides a waterproof barrier, cushion and creates our skin tone (Picture of the Skin). The supraspinous and interspinous ligaments connect and pass between vertebral spinous processes to support the head and resist flexion (Drake 42). The ligamentum flavum consists of elastic tissue and form part of the vertebral canal and aids in resisting separation of the laminae in flexion and assist in extension (Drake 42). The epidural space is between the vertebral wall and dura mater and contains fat and blood vessels. The dura mater is the toughest and outermost layer covering the spinal cord and the arachnoid mater is the middle layer surrounding the spinal cord. Lastly, the subarachnoid space is what houses the cerebrospinal fluid which bathes the spinal cord in nutrients. With the swelling in her meninges, her neck and back muscles around the spinal cord are tightened and pulling her head and neck in extension which is therefore causing her stiff neck. The patient will need lots of rest and fluids in