Opisthotonos (Noun)
Meaning
Severe spasm in which the back arches and the head bends back and heels flex toward the back.
Classification
Nouns denoting natural processes.
Examples
- The patient's body contorted into a state of opisthotonos, a severe spasm that caused her back to arch and her head to bend backward in an unnatural position.
- In extreme cases of tetanus infection, patients may experience opisthotonos, a severe spasm that can be excruciatingly painful.
- The emergency room doctor immediately recognized the symptoms of strychnine poisoning, including the distinctive opisthotonos that caused the patient's body to stiffen and contort.
- After the snakebite, the victim began to exhibit signs of severe poisoning, including opisthotonos, a traumatic spasm that forced her to arch her back and bend her head backward.
- The medical team worked quickly to administer medication to alleviate the patient's opisthotonos, a severe spasm that was causing her immense pain and discomfort.