myoclonus

American  

[mahy-ok-luh-nuhs] / maɪˈɒk lə nəs /

noun

Pathology.

1. an abrupt spasm or twitch of a muscle or group of muscles, occurring in some neurological diseases.

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Etymology

Origin of myoclonus

First recorded in 1880–85; myo- + clonus

Compare meaning

How does myoclonus compare to similar and commonly confused words? Explore the most common comparisons:

• myoclonus vs. clonus

Example Sentences

He has a rare neurological disease called spinal myoclonus that causes spasms and blurs his vision when he gets a jolt of adrenaline.

From Los Angeles Times • Jun. 8, 2021

A hiccup is a form of myoclonus; so are those disruptive jerks we all experience occasionally when falling asleep.

From New York Times • Apr. 3, 2015

Respiratory myoclonus is quite rare, with only around 100 cases reported over the past 300 years.

From New York Times • Apr. 3, 2015

Two years and many doctors later, Dr. Melvin Van Woert of New York City's Mount Sinai Hospital identified the condition that ended her career: myoclonus, a nervous disorder that affects only 2,000 Americans.

From Time Magazine Archive

Many Americans suffer from nocturnal myoclonus, a condition in which their legs twitch throughout the night and break up their sleep.

From Time Magazine Archive