facial tic

tic (tik) [Fr.] an involuntary, compulsive, rapid, repetitive, stereotyped movement or vocalization, experienced as irresistible although it can be suppressed for some length of time.

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tic douloureux  (doo-loo-rdbobr´) trigeminal neuralgia.

facial tic  see under spasm.

habit tic  any tic that is psychogenic in origin.

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facial tic

n.

Involuntary spasmodic movement of the facial muscles. Also called facial spasm, prosopospasm.

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facial tic

Etymology: L, facies, face; Fr, tic, twitching

any repetitive, spasmodic, and involuntary contraction of groups of facial muscles. See also tic douloureux, trigeminal neuralgia.

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tic [tik] (Fr.)

an involuntary, compulsive, rapid, repetitive, stereotyped movement or vocalization, experienced as irresistible although it can be suppressed for some length of time; occurrence is increased by stress and reduced during sleep or engrossing activities. Tics may be of psychogenic or neurogenic origin and are subclassified as either simple, such as eye blinking, shoulder shrugging, coughing, grunting, snorting, or barking; or complex, such as facial gestures, grooming motions, coprolalia (obscene language), echolalia (repeating the most recently heard word or sound), or echokinesis (imitation of another's movements).

tic douloureux a painful disorder of the trigeminal nerve, characterized by severe pain in the face and forehead on the affected side, extending to the midline of the face and head, triggered by stimuli such as cold drafts, chewing, drinking cold liquids, brushing the hair, or washing the face. Called also trigeminal neuralgia.

Treatment. Medical treatment is usually preferred, since surgical correction results in complete loss of sensation in the areas served by the nerve. The drugs employed include trichloroethylene administered by inhalation, niacin, potassium chloride, diethazine, and most recently carbamazepine. When surgery is resorted to, the patient must be watched for signs of corneal infection, which frequently occurs, usually because of loss of the corneal reflex, which normally provides a warning when foreign material or other injurious agents enter the eye. Postoperative instructions must be given so that the patient can take necessary measures for the protection of the eye after discharge from the hospital.

facial tic spasm of the facial muscles.

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facial tic,

n any repetitive spasmodic and involuntary contraction of groups of facial muscles.