Tetany
Encyclopedia
Tetany has two meanings, though both are related to the muscular system.
The terms "tetany" and "tetanus
" are distinct.
- Tetany (action potential summation)Tetany (action potential summation)Tetany is a case of involuntary muscle convulsion. It is a muscular physical state at which action potentials from nerves arrive to the skeletal muscle motor end plate rapidly enough in succession to cause a steady contraction. This differs from individual twitches in that the twitches are summed...
- Tetany (medical sign)Tetany (medical sign)Tetany is a medical sign consisting of the involuntary contraction of muscles, which may be caused by disease or other conditions that increase the action potential frequency...
The terms "tetany" and "tetanus
Tetanus
Tetanus is a medical condition characterized by a prolonged contraction of skeletal muscle fibers. The primary symptoms are caused by tetanospasmin, a neurotoxin produced by the Gram-positive, rod-shaped, obligate anaerobic bacterium Clostridium tetani...
" are distinct.