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Glite Dictionary
muscular tonus

muscular tonus

6.4
A slight constant tension in muscles that helps hold posture and keep joints stable
  • noun
  • /ˈmʌskjələr ˈtoʊnəs/
  • Specialized
translation icon : tono muscular
  • Loss of muscular tonus can be a sign of neurological disease.

Examples

  • Physical therapists assess muscular tonus to diagnose neuromuscular conditions.

  • The doctor explained that muscular tonus is essential for maintaining posture.

  • Improved muscular tonus helps maintain posture and joint stability.

  • What is muscular tonus?

  • Improved muscular tonus helps maintain posture and joint stability.

  • Loss of muscular tonus can be a sign of neurological disease.

  • Physical therapists assess muscular tonus to diagnose neuromuscular conditions.

Synonyms

muscle tone
vsmuscular tonus
  • Specialized
8 3.4

A little tightness in resting muscles that keeps them ready to move

focuses on ongoing constant slight contraction rather than general firmness
tonus
vsmuscular tonus
  • Specialized
9.8

A small steady tightness in muscles and blood vessels in the body that helps them respond

applies only to tissue that moves the body rather than many tissue types

How Toned

spasticity
  • Specialized
2 9.4
muscular tonus
  • Specialized
6.4

Surface Forms

muscular tonus singular
muscular tonuses plural

Morphology

muscular + tonus

The phrase is directly compositional: 'muscular' (relating to muscles) combined with 'tonus' (tension in muscles) yields the meaning of muscle tension or the normal slight continuous contraction. Although 'tonus' is somewhat technical, if a learner knows both constituents the sense follows straightforwardly and is cross-linguistically supported by similar medical terms, so it is transparent.

Etymology

Muscular tonus comes from the idea that muscular means 'of muscles' and tonus means a steady 'tone' or 'tension' even when you are at rest. Think of a rubber band that is never fully relaxed but keeps a little pull; that's why muscular tonus means the slight, continuous tightness that helps keep your posture.