botulinum toxin

Botulinum toxin (botulin)

A neurotoxin made by Clostridium botulinum; causes paralysis in high doses, but is used medically in small, localized doses to treat disorders associated with involuntary muscle contraction and spasms, in addition to strabismus.

Mentioned in: Achalasia, Eye Muscle Surgery, Movement Disorders, Spinal Cord Injury

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botulinum toxin

[boch′əlī′nəm]

Etymology: L, botulus, sausage; Gk, toxikon, poison

any of a group of potent bacterial toxins produced by different strains of Clostridium botulinum. It may be used therapeutically for blepharospasm or cosmetically to relax facial wrinkles. The strains are sometimes identified by letters of the alphabet, such as A, B, or C. Also called Botox, botulinus toxin.

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botulinum toxin

a neurotoxin produced by Clostridium botulinum; causes botulism. Eight antigenically distinct types are recognized: A, B, C, C2, D, E, F and G.

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botulinum toxin 

A poisonous substance which paralyses muscles and leads to inhibition of the release of acetylcholine from presynaptic neuromuscular terminals. The effect can last for weeks after being injected into a muscle. It is used as an alternative or addition to extraocular muscle surgery in the management of strabismus. It is also sometimes used in the management of blepharospasm. Example: In esotropia, the medial rectus muscle is injected to paralyse its action. See chemodenervation.