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Word of the Day – Opisthotonos

By November 12, 2019Word of the Day

Opisthotonos (noun) (medicine)

op-is-thot-on-us

Spasm of the muscles causing backward arching of the head, neck, and spine, as in severe tetanus, some kinds of meningitis, and strychnine poisoning.

Mid 17th century via late Latin from Greek opisthotonos ‘drawn backwards’.

Example sentences

“We diagnosed her after the opisthotonos”

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