trismus /tris·mus/ (triz´mus) motor disturbance of the trigeminal nerve, especially spasm of the masticatory muscles, with difficulty in opening the mouth (lockjaw); a characteristic early symptom of tetanus.
trismus
trismus [triz´mus]
trismus (triz´m
s),
tris·mus (tr z m s)n. A firm closing of the jaw due to tonic spasm of the muscles of mastication from disease of the motor branch of the trigeminal nerve. It is usually associated with general tetanus. Also called lockjaw. |
trismus
[triz′məs]
Etymology: Gk, trismos, gnashing
Lockjaw
Spasm of the masseter muscles with stiffness of the jaw caused by tetanospasmin, a neurotoxin produced by Clostridium tetani, which causes an unrestrained muscle firing, and sustained muscular contraction which, if severe, causes dysphagia or acute respiratory insufficiency by causing prolonged diaphragm contraction
trismus [triz´mus]
motor disturbance of the trigeminal nerve, especially spasm of the masticatory muscles, with difficulty in opening the mouth (lockjaw); a characteristic early symptom of tetanus.
trismus (triz´m
s),n spasms of the muscles of mastication resulting in the inability to open the oral cavity; often symptomatic of pericoronitis.
trismus
motor disturbance of the trigeminal nerve, especially spasm of the masticatory muscles, with difficulty in opening the mouth (lockjaw); a characteristic early sign of tetanus.
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