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Definition

noun

The condition in which the muscle tone is abnormally low, resulting in a diminished resistance of muscles to passive stretching.

Supplement

Hypotonia involving the muscles is often manifested in patients suffering from various diseases and disorders, such as Down syndrome and muscular dystrophy. It is often associated with diminished muscle strength.

Word origin: hypo (low) + tonia » Greek tónos (tone).

Compare: muscle hypertonia