Dictionary:
clo·nus (klō'nəs)  |
An abnormality in neuromuscular activity characterized by rapidly alternating muscular contraction and relaxation.
[New Latin, from Greek klonos, turmoil.]
clonic clo'nic (klō'nĭk, klŏn'ĭk) adj.| 5min Related Video: Clonic |
| Dental Dictionary: clonus |
Alternating muscular spasm and relaxation in rapid succession.
| Veterinary Dictionary: clonus |
Alternate involuntary muscular contraction and relaxation in rapid succession. A sign of upper motor neuron disease.
| Wikipedia: Clonus |
Clonus (from the Greek for "violent, confused motion") is a series of involuntary muscular contractions due to sudden stretching of the muscle. Clonus is a sign of certain neurological conditions, and is particularly associated with upper motor neuron lesions such as in stroke, multiple sclerosis, spinal cord damage and hepatic encephalopathy. Unlike the small, spontaneous twitching known as fasciculations (usually caused by lower motor neuron pathology), clonus causes large motions that are usually initiated by a reflex.
Clonus is most common in the ankles, where it is tested by rapidly flexing the foot upward (dorsiflexion). It can also be tested in the knees by rapidly pushing the patella towards the toes. Only sustained clonus (5 beats or more) is considered abnormal.
Clonus appearing after ingesting potent serotonergic drugs strongly predicts imminent serotonin toxicity (serotonin syndrome).
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Copyrights:
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 | Dictionary. The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition Copyright © 2007, 2000 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Updated in 2007. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved. Read more |
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| Dental Dictionary. Mosby's Dental Dictionary. Copyright © 2004 by Elsevier, Inc. All rights reserved. Read more |
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| Veterinary Dictionary. Saunders Comprehensive Veterinary Dictionary 3rd Edition. Copyright © 2007 by D.C. Blood, V.P. Studdert and C.C. Gay, Elsevier. All rights reserved. Read more |
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| Wikipedia. This article is licensed under the GNU Free Documentation License. It uses material from the Wikipedia article "Clonus". Read more |
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