by hytham_hammer July 12, 2005
In medicine, a common disease presenting with unusual symptoms. Also applies to a patient with symptoms common to several diseases in which the first diagnosis is of a rare or obscure disease, when the truth is a more mundane disorder.
The term was popularised by Scrubs.
Derived from the axiom "When you hear hoofbeats, think 'horses', not 'zebras'.
The term was popularised by Scrubs.
Derived from the axiom "When you hear hoofbeats, think 'horses', not 'zebras'.
If a patient presents with vomiting, dairrhoea, and fever, West Nile Virus is a zebra; they're more likely to have enteropathogenic E. coli infection.
by Rhodoferax September 12, 2008
when a woman is having a baby, she poops on the table, and the baby slides out on the poop creating a stripe going down their back
by Shimbot June 03, 2007
by Sarah to peeps July 21, 2005
by TG&CI November 25, 2007
by sf123 November 22, 2010
An obscure illness, disease or condition affecting a comparatively small number of people, but with symptoms somewhat similar to one or more different and more common illnesses.
It is named because these diseases/conditions are sometimes misdiagnosed by well meaning (but often inexperienced) doctors when something far more common is actually the cause. Medical students are told "remember, if you hear hoof beats, think horses, not zebras".
It is named because these diseases/conditions are sometimes misdiagnosed by well meaning (but often inexperienced) doctors when something far more common is actually the cause. Medical students are told "remember, if you hear hoof beats, think horses, not zebras".
Doctor 1 - "I think this patient may have Castleman's disease"
Doctor 2 - "Castleman's disease is a zebra, there are far more likely causes of his fever and weight loss."
Doctor 2 - "Castleman's disease is a zebra, there are far more likely causes of his fever and weight loss."
by PiemasterUK December 08, 2010