Which term describes distal writhing or contorting movements?

Prepare for the MCML Assessment and Treatment of Abnormal Muscle Tone Exam. Study with flashcards and multiple choice questions, with hints and explanations for each question. Ace your exam with confidence!

Multiple Choice

Which term describes distal writhing or contorting movements?

Explanation:
Distal writhing movements are characteristic of athetosis. Athetosis describes slow, continuous, twisting, and sinuous movements that mainly involve the hands and feet. This contrasts with chorea, which consists of rapid, irregular, brief jerks; dystonia, which produces sustained or intermittent muscle contractions that twist and fix joints into abnormal postures; and myoclonus, which are sudden, brief, shock-like jerks. The hallmark here is the slow, writhing, contorted appearance in the distal limbs, which is what defines athetosis.

Distal writhing movements are characteristic of athetosis. Athetosis describes slow, continuous, twisting, and sinuous movements that mainly involve the hands and feet. This contrasts with chorea, which consists of rapid, irregular, brief jerks; dystonia, which produces sustained or intermittent muscle contractions that twist and fix joints into abnormal postures; and myoclonus, which are sudden, brief, shock-like jerks. The hallmark here is the slow, writhing, contorted appearance in the distal limbs, which is what defines athetosis.

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