clonus
Involuntary muscle oscillations
Clonus is a series of involuntary, rhythmic muscle contractions and relaxations—a rapid alternation of tensing and releasing.
It occurs when certain neurological reflexes are abnormally heightened, typically indicating damage to nerve pathways that control movement.
Doctors test for clonus by sharply flexing a patient's foot; sustained bouncing suggests upper motor neuron disease: The neurologist noted ankle clonus on examination.
Abrupt, spasmodic movement
- oscillationRepeated back-and-forth movement
- rhythmicHaving regular tempo
- repetitiveMarked by recurrence
- contractionReduction in size
relaxation · alternating · tremor · twitching · involuntary · sustained · rapid · periodic
Pathological muscle tightness
- myoclonusSudden brief muscle jerks
- seizureForcible taking or convulsion
- convulsionSudden involuntary muscle contractions
- reflexInvoluntary stimulus response
upper motor neuron · Babinski · pyramidal · hemiplegia · paraplegia · stroke · multiple sclerosis · cerebral palsy
Methodical assessment or review
- assessmentFormal evaluation of worth
- diagnosisIdentification of illness
- neurological examClinical nervous system evaluation
- sustainedKept up continuously
unsustained · beats · grading · elicited · ankle · knee · wrist · jaw
jerking
Abrupt, spasmodic movement
- oscillationRepeated back-and-forth movement
- rhythmicHaving regular tempo
- repetitiveMarked by recurrence
contraction · relaxation · alternating · tremor · twitching · involuntary · sustained · rapid · periodic · pulsating
spasticity
Pathological muscle tightness
- myoclonusSudden brief muscle jerks
- seizureForcible taking or convulsion
- convulsionSudden involuntary muscle contractions
reflex · upper motor neuron · Babinski · pyramidal · hemiplegia · paraplegia · stroke · multiple sclerosis · cerebral palsy · spinal cord injury
examination
Methodical assessment or review
- assessmentFormal evaluation of worth
- diagnosisIdentification of illness
- neurological examClinical nervous system evaluation
sustained · unsustained · beats · grading · elicited · ankle · knee · wrist · jaw · positive
clonusmyoclonus
Sudden brief muscle jerks
fasciculation · tetany · rigidity · spasticity · dystonia
clonusflaccidity
Lack of firmness
atonia · hypotonia · paralysis · muscle relaxation · paresis
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