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Definition

noun

A form of rapid succession of contractions and relaxations of a muscle after a forced passive muscle stretch

Supplement

Clonus may be caused by neurologic conditions and usually linked to upper motor pathologic conditions such as stroke, multiple sclerosis, spinal cord damage or liver encephalopathy.

Word origin: Greek klonos (violent, confused motion)

Synonym(s):

• clonospasm

Related term(s):

• Clonic
• Clonicity
• Toe clonus
• Ankle clonus
• Wrist clonus
• Cathodal opening clonus

Mentioned in:

• Muscle spasticity