laryngismus

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Word: Laryngismus

Part of Speech: Noun

Definition: Laryngismus is a medical term that refers to a sudden spasm, or tightening, of the muscles in the larynx (the voice box). This can make it hard to breathe or speak for a short time.

Usage Instructions:

• Context: Laryngismus is often used in medical settings or discussions about health. It is not a common word in everyday conversation, so you might only encounter it when talking about specific health issues.
• Example Sentence: "The doctor explained that the child's laryngismus was causing temporary breathing difficulties."

Advanced Usage:

In more advanced discussions, you might encounter laryngismus in relation to its causes, such as allergies, infections, or other medical conditions. It can also be used when discussing treatments or preventative measures for individuals who experience this condition.

Word Variants:

• Laryngismus stridulus: A specific type of laryngismus that is often associated with croup in children, causing a "stridor" sound when breathing due to airway narrowing.

Different Meanings:

Laryngismus specifically refers to the spasm of the laryngeal muscles. It does not have multiple meanings, as it is a medical term.

Synonyms:

• Laryngeal spasm
• Vocal cord spasm (in some contexts)

Related Terms:

• Larynx: The voice box located in the throat that contains the vocal cords.
• Spasm: A sudden involuntary contraction of a muscle.

Idioms and Phrasal Verbs:

There are no common idioms or phrasal verbs that include "laryngismus," as it is a specialized medical term.

Summary:

Laryngismus is an important term in medicine that describes a sudden tightening of the throat muscles that can affect breathing and speaking. If you are discussing health issues, especially related to breathing problems, this term might come up.

Academic

Noun

1. laryngeal spasm caused by the sudden contraction of laryngeal muscles