amyotonia
Học thuậtThân thiện
Definition
Noun: A medical condition characterized by a lack of normal muscular tension or tonus. This results in reduced muscle stiffness and floppiness (hypotonia).
Usage
The term is used in medical and clinical contexts to describe a state of low muscle tone, which is a symptom rather than a specific disease. It is often observed in infants and can be associated with various neurological or muscular disorders.
Examples
- The pediatrician noted signs of amyotonia in the newborn, which warranted further neurological testing.
- Amyotonia can make it difficult for an infant to maintain posture or achieve motor milestones.
- The condition's primary feature is amyotonia, leading to the characteristic "floppy infant" presentation.
Advanced Usage
- Congenital amyotonia: A specific historical term sometimes used interchangeably with "benign congenital hypotonia," referring to low muscle tone present from birth without progressive weakness.
- While "amyotonia" specifically denotes lack of tone, it is crucial to distinguish it from amyotrophy, which refers to the wasting away of muscle tissue.
Variants and Related Words
- Amyotonic (adjective): Pertaining to or characterized by amyotonia.
- The child exhibited amyotonic symptoms.
- Hypotonia: A more commonly used contemporary synonym in medical literature for reduced muscle tone.
- Floppiness: A non-technical, descriptive term for the physical manifestation of amyotonia.
Synonyms
- Hypotonia
- Muscle flaccidity
- Diminished muscle tone
Antonyms
- Hypertonia (increased muscle tone)
- Spasticity
- Rigidity
Noun
- lack of normal muscular tension or tonus