habit spasm

tic

(tik), Do not confuse this word with tick.

Habitual, repeated contraction of certain muscles, resulting in stereotyped individualized actions that can be voluntarily suppressed for only brief periods, for example, clearing the throat, sniffing, pursing the lips, excessive blinking; especially prominent when the person is under stress; there is no known pathologic substrate.
See also: spasm.

Synonym(s): Brissaud disease, habit chorea, habit spasm

[Fr.]

Farlex Partner Medical Dictionary © Farlex 2012

Tourette syndrome

An autosomal dominant disorder (OMIM:137580) appearing in childhood that is characterised by multiple motor and vocal tics present for more than 1 year; obsessive-compulsive behaviour, attention-deficit disorder, coprolalia, echolalia, and other psychiatric disorders may occur.

Molecular pathology
Defects of SLITRK, which encodes an integral membrane protein involved in neurite outgrowth, have been linked to Tourette syndrome.

Segen's Medical Dictionary. © 2012 Farlex, Inc. All rights reserved.

tic

(tik)

Habitual, repeated contraction of certain muscles, resulting in stereotyped individualized actions that can be voluntarily suppressed for only brief periods (e.g., clearing the throat, sniffing, pursing the lips, excessive blinking); especially prominent when the person is under stress; there is no known pathologic substrate.
See also: spasm
Synonym(s): Brissaud disease, habit spasm.

[Fr.]

Medical Dictionary for the Health Professions and Nursing © Farlex 2012