Tetanus

['tet(ə)nəs] or ['tɛtənəs]

Definition

(noun.) a sustained muscular contraction resulting from a rapid series of nerve impulses.

(noun.) an acute and serious infection of the central nervous system caused by bacterial infection of open wounds; spasms of the jaw and laryngeal muscles may occur during the late stages.

Editor: Martin--From WordNet

Definition

(n.) A painful and usually fatal disease, resulting generally from a wound, and having as its principal symptom persistent spasm of the voluntary muscles. When the muscles of the lower jaw are affected, it is called locked-jaw, or lickjaw, and it takes various names from the various incurvations of the body resulting from the spasm.

(n.) That condition of a muscle in which it is in a state of continued vibratory contraction, as when stimulated by a series of induction shocks.

Inputed by Laura

Synonyms and Synonymous

n. [L.] (Med.) Spasm, spasmodic contraction of the muscles.

Typist: Melba

Definition

n. an involuntary persistent intense and painful contraction or cramp of more or less extensive groups of the voluntary muscles: lockjaw: the state of prolonged contraction of a muscle under stimuli repeated quickly.—adjs. Tetan′ic; Tet′aniform; Tetanig′enous.—n. Tetanisā′tion.—v.t. Tet′anise.—adj. Tet′anoid.—n. Tet′any a rare and little understood disease of the nervous system occurring both in children and adults characterised by recurring attacks of tonic spasm of various muscles particularly those of the fingers and toes associated with defective hygienic conditions imperfect ventilation poor diet and in children with rickets.

Checker: Ramona