Clinical Diagnosis · Nervous System · Medium

Dystonia

Meaning: Sustained or intermittent muscle contractions producing twisting movements or abnormal postures.

In practice: Cervical forms cause the head to twist persistently to one side; writer's cramp is a focal type.

Word parts

  • dys- means difficult or abnormal

Many medical words are built from Greek and Latin parts like these, so learning a few helps you work out new terms.

Quick check

Two questions on related clinical diagnosis words.

Which word means: An involuntary rhythmic oscillation of a body part.

Which word means: Violent, large-amplitude flinging movements of a limb.

Words like dystonia come up in the daily game

One medical word a day, then a quick three-question quiz. Free on iPhone, or play in your browser on Android and computer.

Related words

More clinical diagnosis terms · All medical words