Final answer:
The medical term for inflammation of the lining of the brain is meningitis. Meningitis is an inflammation of the meninges and can have severe effects on neurological function. Encephalitis is inflammation of brain tissue and can cause similar symptoms to meningitis.
Step-by-step explanation:
The medical term that describes inflammation of the lining of the brain is meningitis. Meningitis is an inflammation of the meninges, which are the three layers of fibrous membrane that surround the central nervous system (CNS). It can be caused by a bacterial or viral infection, and it can have severe effects on neurological function. Typical symptoms of meningitis include severe headache, fever, sensitivity to light, stiff neck, convulsions, and confusion. Inflammation of brain tissue is called encephalitis, and patients may exhibit signs and symptoms similar to those of meningitis, as well as lethargy, seizures, and personality changes. When inflammation affects both the meninges and the brain tissue, the condition is called meningoencephalitis. All three forms of inflammation are serious and can lead to blindness, deafness, coma, and death.