http://www.medterms.com/script/main/hp.asp MedTerms Word of the Day en-us Copyright 1995-2009 MedicineNet, Inc. All rights reserved. Tue, 9 Feb 2010 00:00:00 PDT Tue, 9 Feb 2010 00:00:00 PDT http://www.medterms.com/images/mt_144x35.gif http://www.medterms.com/script/main/hp.asp 144 35 http://www.medterms.com/guide.asp?s=rss&k=WordOfTheDay&a=6196 http://www.medterms.com/guide.asp?s=rss&k=WordOfTheDay&a=6196 Tue, 9 Feb 2010 00:00:00 PDT <p><b>Labyrinthitis:</b> <a href="http://www.medicinenet.com/script/main/art.asp?articlekey=3979">Inflammation</a> of the <a href="http://www.medicinenet.com/script/main/art.asp?articlekey=6195">labyrinth</a>, the system of intercommunicating canals and <a href="http://www.medicinenet.com/script/main/art.asp?articlekey=2651">cavities</a> within the <a href="http://www.medicinenet.com/script/main/art.asp?articlekey=7210">inner ear</a> responsible for sensing balance. Labyrinthitis may be accompanied by the sudden onset of a feeling of <a href="http://www.medicinenet.com/script/main/art.asp?articlekey=6129">vertigo</a> triggered by head or body movement together with feelings of nausea and <a href="http://www.medicinenet.com/script/main/art.asp?articlekey=4253">malaise</a>. Due to diverse causes including <a href="http://www.medicinenet.com/script/main/art.asp?articlekey=15037">viral</a> and <a href="http://www.medicinenet.com/script/main/art.asp?articlekey=15038">bacterial</a> infections. <p>The term "labyrinth" comes from the Greek "labyrinthos" for "a structure with intricate passages intersecting each other." A labyrinth played a role in Greek mythology: the maze on Crete where the monstrous Minotaur roamed and devoured his victims.</p><br><br><a href="http://www.medterms.com/script/main/hp.asp">MedTerms</a> (TM) is the Medical Dictionary of <a href="http://www.medicinenet.com/script/main/hp.asp">MedicineNet.com</a>.<br>We Bring Doctors' Knowledge To You