What it means
A brief buzzing or shock-like sensation brought on by bending the head down. It comes from irritated nerve pathways in the neck part of the spinal cord and is best known in multiple sclerosisMUL-tih-pul skluh-ROH-sisA long-term disease in which the immune system damages the protective covering of nerves in the brain and spinal cord.scler/o hard-osis conditionFull entry , though spinal cord compression, injury and radiation can also cause it. It is named after Jean Lhermitte, a French neurologist.
For the nurse
Ask the client to describe when the sensation happens and record it; a new or changing symptom is reported.
At a glance
| Also written | Lhermitte's sign |
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Related terms
spinal cord
The long bundle of nerves that runs down through the backbone and carries messages between the brain and the body.
multiple sclerosis
A long-term disease in which the immune system damages the protective covering of nerves in the brain and spinal cord.