opisthotonos

9.9

Strong muscle spasms bend the body backward and pull the head and feet back

noun
/ˌɑːpɪsˈθoʊtənəs/

Specialized

: opisthotonos

The patient developed opisthotonos after the onset of severe tetanus symptoms.

Examples

In cases of meningitis, intense muscle contractions can result in opisthotonos.
Doctors observed opisthotonos as a sign of neurological disturbance during the examination.
The patient was diagnosed with opisthotonos after the seizure.
In cases of severe opisthotonos, immediate medical attention is required.
Doctors observed opisthotonos as a sign of severe muscle spasms during the examination.
In cases of meningitis, patients may exhibit opisthotonos due to intense muscle contractions.
The patient developed opisthotonos as a result of severe tetanus symptoms that affected their posture.

Synonyms

spasm

vsopisthotonos

Specialized

43 3.9

A sudden tight movement of a muscle that causes pain

is broader but less specific, not limited to whole-body backward arching

muscle spasm

vsopisthotonos

Specialized

11 3.4

A sudden tight movement of a muscle that hurts or feels uncomfortable

involves severe contractions that bend the whole body and head backwards

How Severe

opisthotonos

Specialized

9.9

muscle spasm

Specialized

11 3.4

to twitch

79 2.8

Surface Forms

opisthotonos singular

opisthotonoses plural

Etymology

The word opisthotonos comes from Greek parts opistho- meaning 'back' and -tonos meaning 'tension' or 'tone', the same root as in tone. So opisthotonos describes when strong muscle tension forces the body into a backward arch.