What is Meningism?

Meningism is a term used to describe the triad of clinical signs often associated with meningeal irriation or a subarachnoid haemorrhage.

Meningism includes:

1. Nuchal Rigidity (decreased ability to move the neck and increase rigidity of the neck muscles);
2. Headache (often associated with an increased Intracranial Pressure (ICP) and irriated meninges); and
3. Photophobia (pain or discomfort associated with light due to increase ICP placing pressure on the third cranial nerve (occular motory), which stops the pupils from being able to constrict – therefore making light more painful).