hypertonia

(noun)

An abnormal increase in tightness of muscle tone, common in cerebral palsy.

Related Terms

  • hypotonia
  • muscle tone

Examples of hypertonia in the following topics:

  • Hypotonia and Hypertonia

    • Hypertonia is the reduced ability of muscles to stretch due to increased muscle tension; hypotonia, due to chronic reduced muscle tension.
    • Hypertonia is a reduction in the ability of a muscle to stretch due to increased muscle tension; it is caused by lesions to upper motor neurons.
    • Effects of hypertonia include spasticity dystonia (a state of prolonged muscle contractions) and rigidity (a state of muscle stiffness and decreased flexibility).
    • Spastic hypertonia is the general condition of muscle spasms caused by random contractions of the muscles, and is typical in cerebral palsy and spinal cord injuries; it can also occur from stroke.
    • Dystonic hypertonia is the resistance to passive stretching in muscles, and the return of limbs to fixed positions after contraction.
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