trismus

American  

[triz-muhs, tris-] / ˈtrɪz məs, ˈtrɪs- /

noun

Pathology.

plural

trismuses

1. a spasm of the jaw muscles that makes it difficult to open the mouth.

2. lockjaw.

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trismus British  

/ ˈtrɪzməs /

noun

1. Nontechnical name: lockjaw.  pathol the state or condition of being unable to open the mouth because of sustained contractions of the jaw muscles, caused by a form of tetanus

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Other Word Forms

• trismic adjective

Etymology

Origin of trismus

1685–95; < New Latin < Greek trismós a grinding

Example Sentences

He rapidly developed blindness, trismus, difficulty in swallowing, and shortly lost consciousness.

From Food Poisoning by Jordan, Edwin Oakes

He also reports cases in which trismus and spasm of the glottis have been present.

From A System of Practical Medicine by American Authors, Vol. I Volume 1: Pathology and General Diseases by Various

The symptoms of poisoning by this species are spasms, similar to those of trismus, and agonizing general pains.

From Average Jones by Adams, Samuel Hopkins

This is substantially the same thing as trismus, except that it extends to other parts, and often to nearly all the muscles of the organism.

From A Newly Discovered System of Electrical Medication by Clark, Daniel

The peculiar effects of a tapeworm are exaggerated appetite and thirst, nausea, headaches, vertigo, ocular symptoms, cardiac palpitation, and Mursinna has even observed a case of trismus, or lockjaw, due to taenia solium.

From Anomalies and Curiosities of Medicine by Pyle, Walter L. (Walter Lytle)