spasticity
[spas-tis´ĭ-te] continuous resistance to stretching by a muscle due to abnormally increased tension, with heightened deep tendon reflexes.
Miller-Keane Encyclopedia and Dictionary of Medicine, Nursing, and Allied Health, Seventh Edition. © 2003 by Saunders, an imprint of Elsevier, Inc. All rights reserved.
clasp-knife spas·tic·i·ty
a type of increased muscle tone due to a pyramidal tract lesion, in which abnormally increased resistance to passive stretch of a muscle abruptly decreases; typically, this appears near the end of the range of joint excursion.
See also:
lengthening reaction.
Farlex Partner Medical Dictionary © Farlex 2012
clasp-knife spasticity
or clasp-knife rigidity
n. Rigidity of the extensor muscles of a joint that gives way abruptly to allow easy flexion, resulting from an exaggeration of the stretch reflex.
The American Heritage® Medical Dictionary Copyright © 2007, 2004 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
clasp-knife spas·ti·ci·ty
, clasp-knife rigidity (klaspnīf' spas-tis'i-tē, ri-jid'i-tē) Initial increased resistance to stretch of the extensor muscles of a joint that give way rather suddenly, allowing the joint then to be easily flexed; the rigidity is due to an exaggeration of the stretch reflex.
Medical Dictionary for the Health Professions and Nursing © Farlex 2012
clasp-knife spas·ti·ci·ty
, clasp-knife rigidity (klaspnīf' spas-tis'i-tē, ri-jid'i-tē) Initial increased resistance to stretch of the extensor muscles of a joint that give way rather suddenly, allowing the joint then to be easily flexed; the rigidity is due to an exaggeration of the stretch reflex.
Medical Dictionary for the Dental Professions © Farlex 2012