hypertonia

Thân thiện

A physical therapist gently stretches a patient's arm to assess hypertonia.

Definition

Noun (Medical/Physiological term): 1. Excessive muscle tone or tension: A condition characterized by an abnormal increase in the resting tension of muscle tissue. This results in stiffness, tightness, and a decreased ability of the muscle to stretch.

Usage

Hypertonia is used specifically in medical and physiological contexts to describe a pathological state of muscular rigidity. It is the opposite of hypotonia (low muscle tone).

Examples

• The neurologist diagnosed the infant with hypertonia after observing persistent stiffness in the limbs.
• Hypertonia is a common symptom in conditions such as cerebral palsy and stroke.
• Physical therapy can help manage the effects of hypertonia and improve range of motion.

Advanced Usage

• Spastic hypertonia: A specific type characterized by velocity-dependent increased muscle tone, often seen in upper motor neuron lesions.
• Rigidity (or non-spastic hypertonia): A constant resistance to passive movement that is independent of the speed of stretch, often associated with Parkinson's disease.

Variants and Related Words

• Hypertonic (adjective): Describing the state of having hypertonia or increased osmotic pressure.
  • The patient exhibited hypertonic muscles.
• Hypertonicity (noun): A synonym for hypertonia, often used interchangeably.

Synonyms

• Muscle spasticity (in specific contexts)
• Muscular rigidity
• Increased muscle tone

Antonyms

• Hypotonia: Abnormally low muscle tone or tension.
• Atonia: Lack of normal muscle tone.

Học thuật

Noun

1. (of muscular tissue) the state of being hypertonic

Từ đồng nghĩa

• hypertonus
• hypertonicity