Definition

Noun: * Lack of normal muscular tension or tonus: A state of reduced or absent muscle tone, where muscles are abnormally soft, floppy, or lacking in firmness. This is a medical or physiological term.

Usage

• The term "atonicity" is used primarily in medical, clinical, and physiological contexts to describe a pathological condition of muscles.
• It is the opposite of "hypertonicity" (excessive muscle tone) and describes a state below normal "tonicity."
• It often refers to a symptom of an underlying neurological or muscular disorder.

Examples

• The neurologist noted significant atonicity in the patient's limbs following the spinal injury.
• Generalized muscle atonicity is a characteristic feature of some congenital disorders.
• The physiotherapist's assessment recorded decreased resistance to passive movement, indicating muscular atonicity.

Advanced Usage

• Atonic Bladder: A condition where the bladder muscle lacks tone and cannot contract properly, often leading to urinary retention.
• Atonic Seizure: A type of epileptic seizure characterized by a sudden loss of muscle tone, causing the person to collapse.

Variants and Related Words

• Atonic (adjective): Describing something that lacks tone or strength.
  • Example: The patient had an atonic bladder.
• Atonia (noun): A synonym often used interchangeably with "atonicity," meaning lack of muscle tone.
• Hypotonia (noun): A more general clinical term for decreased muscle tone, very similar in meaning to atonicity.
• Tonicity (noun): The normal state of partial contraction and readiness in a muscle.

Synonyms

• Flaccidity
• Atonia
• Hypotonia
• Lack of tonus

Antonyms

• Tonus
• Tonicity
• Hypertonicity
• Spasticity

Noun

1. lack of normal muscular tension or tonus