hypotonus

9.9

Low muscle tone that makes muscles feel weak or floppy

noun
/ˌhaɪpəˈtoʊnəs/

Specialized

: hipotonus

In newborns, hypotonus may indicate a neurological disorder.

Examples

Physical therapy can help manage hypotonus in children with developmental delays.
The patient's hypotonus was most noticeable in the lower limbs.
The patient was diagnosed with hypotonus after the examination.
Children with hypotonus may struggle with motor skills.
In newborns, hypotonus may indicate a neurological disorder.
Physical therapy can help manage hypotonus in children with developmental delays.
The patient's hypotonus was most noticeable in the lower limbs.

Synonyms

hypotonicity

vshypotonus

Specialized

9.9

A condition where muscles are too relaxed and feel loose

is the same concept but uses a different noun form

hypotonia

vshypotonus

Specialized

9.9

Low muscle tension that makes muscles feel floppy and weak

focuses on the general state of diminished muscle tension rather than movement result

amyotonia

vshypotonus

Specialized

9.9

A condition of low muscle tension causing muscles to feel very weak

indicates reduced muscle tone rather than complete absence

Antonyms

hypertonus

Specialized

9.9

A condition where muscles are too tight and hard to move

How Tense

hypertonia

Specialized

9.8

muscle tone

Specialized

8 3.4

hypotonus

Specialized

9.9

flaccidity

1 9.6

Surface Forms

hypotonus singular

hypotonuses plural

hypotoni plural

Morphology

hypotonus = tonus (semi-transparent) = hypo + tonus

The meaning is compositionally clear as 'hypo-' meaning reduced or below plus 'tonus' meaning tone, but the term is technical and unlikely to be fully known by many learners.

Etymology

Hypotonus comes from the parts hypo- meaning 'under' and tonus meaning 'tone', the same root as the English word 'tone'. So hypotonus means 'low muscle tone', a condition where muscles have less tension than normal.