parathyroid tetany

tetany /tet·a·ny/ (-ne) a syndrome of sharp flexion of the wrist and ankle joints (carpopedal spasm), muscle twitching, cramps, and convulsions, sometimes with attacks of stridor; due to hyperexcitability of nerves and muscles caused by decreased extracellular ionized calcium in parathyroid hypofunction, vitamin D deficiency, or alkalosis, or following ingestion of alkaline salts.

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duration tetany  a continuous tetanic contraction in response to a strong continuous current, seen especially in degenerated muscles.

gastric tetany  a severe form due to disease of the stomach, with difficult respiration and painful tonic spasms of limbs.

hyperventilation tetany  tetany produced by forced inhalation and exhalation over a period of time.

latent tetany  tetany elicited by the application of electrical and mechanical stimulation.

neonatal tetany , tetany of newborn hypocalcemic tetany in the first few days of life, often marked by irritability, muscle twitchings, jitteriness, tremors, and convulsions, and less often by laryngospasm and carpopedal spasm.

parathyroid tetany , parathyroprival tetany tetany due to removal or hypofunction of the parathyroids.

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parathyroid tetany

n.

Tetany following surgical injury to or excision of the parathyroid glands. Also called parathyroprival tetany.

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parathyroid tetany

Etymology: Gk, para + thyreos, shield, tetanos, convulsive tension

a form of tetany (hypocalcemia) that is caused by a deficiency of parathyroid secretion.

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tetany [tet´ah-ne]

1. continuous tonic spasm of a muscle; steady contraction of a muscle without distinct twitching.

2. a syndrome manifested by sharp flexion of the wrist and ankle joints (carpopedal spasm), muscle twitchings, cramps, and convulsions, sometimes with attacks of stridor. It is due to abnormal calcium metabolism, and occurs with hypofunction of the parathyroid glands, vitamin D deficiency, and alkalosis, and also as a result of ingestion of alkaline salts. Treatment varies according to the cause and is usually successful. It may include the administration of vitamin D, calcium, parathyroid hormone, or other remedies. In chronic cases, as in the loss of the parathyroid glands, treatment may have to be continued indefinitely.

duration tetany a continuous tetanic contraction in response to a strong continuous current, occurring especially in degenerated muscles.

gastric tetany a severe form due to disease of the stomach, attended by difficult respiration and painful tonic spasms of the limbs.

hyperventilation tetany tetany produced by forced inhalation and exhalation continued for a considerable time.

latent tetany tetany elicited by the application of electrical and mechanical stimulation.

parathyroid tetany (parathyroprival tetany) tetany due to removal or hypofunctioning of the parathyroid glands.