tetany

[ tet-n-ee ]

/ ˈtɛt n i /

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noun Pathology.

a state marked by severe, intermittent tonic contractions and muscular pain, due to abnormal calcium metabolism.

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Origin of tetany

From the New Latin word tetania, dating back to 1880–85. See tetanus, -y³

Words nearby tetany

tetanus neonatorum, tetanus toxin, tetanus toxoid, tetanus toxoids vaccine, tetanus vaccine, tetany, tetartanopsia, tetartohedral, tetched, tetchy, Tete

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2022

How to use tetany in a sentence

Trousseau's sign is the production of tetany by applying firm and prolonged pressure to the brachial nerve in the upper arm.
The Nervous Child|Hector Charles Cameron
Convulsions, laryngismus stridulus, tetany, or carpopedal spasm are all frequently met with.
The Nervous Child|Hector Charles Cameron
When tetany follows operations for goitre it is due to the removal of these glands.
Manual of Surgery Volume Second: Extremities--Head--Neck. Sixth Edition.|Alexander Miles
Gerhardt looks upon rachitis as one of the causes of tetany.
A System of Practical Medicine By American Authors, Vol. II|Various

British Dictionary definitions for tetany

tetany

/ (ˈtɛtənɪ) /

noun

pathol an abnormal increase in the excitability of nerves and muscles resulting in spasms of the arms and legs, caused by a deficiency of parathyroid secretion

Word Origin for tetany

C19: from French tétanie. See tetanus

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Medical definitions for tetany

tetany

[ tĕt′n-ē ]

An abnormal condition characterized by periodic painful muscular spasms and tremors, caused by faulty calcium metabolism and associated with diminished function of the parathyroid glands.intermittent cramp intermittent tetanus