giật cơ
Definition
- Noun (Medical Term):
- Muscle twitch: A sudden, brief, involuntary contraction of a small group of muscle fibers, often visible under the skin. It is typically harmless and can be caused by fatigue, stress, or caffeine.
- Myoclonus: A broader medical term for a quick, involuntary muscle jerk, which "giật cơ" can describe.
Usage Examples
- Noun:
- Tôi bị giật cơ ở mí mắt. (I have a muscle twitch in my eyelid.)
- Giật cơ có thể là dấu hiệu của thiếu magie. (Muscle twitching can be a sign of magnesium deficiency.)
- Anh ấy thường xuyên bị giật cơ khi căng thẳng. (He frequently gets muscle twitches when stressed.)
Advanced Usage
- While "giật cơ" commonly refers to minor, benign twitches, in a clinical context, it can be part of describing more significant neurological conditions involving myoclonus.
Variants and Related Words
- Co giật (n/v): Convulsion, seizure; a more severe and widespread involuntary muscle contraction.
- Cơn sốt cao có thể dẫn đến co giật. (A high fever can lead to convulsions.)
- Giật mình (v): To startle; a sudden jump or jerk of the whole body due to surprise or fear, distinct from a localized muscle twitch.
Synonyms
- Muscle spasm: Often used interchangeably, though a spasm can be more prolonged or painful.
- Fasciculation: The medical term specifically for a minor, localized, involuntary muscle twitch.
Notes
- "Giật cơ" is a compound noun. The core meaning is the singular phenomenon of a muscle twitch. It is generally used as a singular noun (e.g., "một cơn giật cơ" - a muscle twitch) but can also refer to the condition in a general sense.
- It is important to distinguish "giật cơ" from "co giật," which implies a more serious medical event like a seizure.