Definition of tetanus Tetanus

/tɛˈtʌnʌs/ - [tetunus] - tet•a•nus

We found 10 definitions of tetanus from 7 different sources.

What does tetanus mean?

Noun Plural: tetanuses
tetanus - a sustained muscular contraction resulting from a rapid series of nerve impulses
tetanus - an acute and serious infection of the central nervous system caused by bacterial infection of open wounds; spasms of the jaw and laryngeal muscles may occur during the late stages
		lockjaw

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tetanus (Noun)
A serious and often fatal disease caused by the infection of an open wound with the anaerobic bacterium Clostridium tetani, found in soil and the intestines and faeces of animals.
tetanus (Noun)
A state of muscle tension caused by sustained contraction arising from a rapid series of nerve impulses which do not allow the muscle to relax.

tetanus (n.)
A painful and usually fatal disease, resulting generally from a wound, and having as its principal symptom persistent spasm of the voluntary muscles. When the muscles of the lower jaw are affected, it is called locked-jaw, or lickjaw, and it takes various names from the various incurvations of the body resulting from the spasm.
tetanus (n.)
That condition of a muscle in which it is in a state of continued vibratory contraction, as when stimulated by a series of induction shocks.

tetanus
A serious and often fatal disease arising through infection of an open wound by the anaerobic bacterium Clostridium tetani that is found in soil and the intestines and faeces of animals.

tetanus
tet′a-nus, n. an involuntary, persistent, intense, and painful contraction or cramp of more or less extensive groups of the voluntary muscles: lockjaw: the state of prolonged contraction of a muscle under stimuli repeated quickly.—adjs. Tetan′ic; Tet′aniform; Tetanig′enous.—n. Tetanisā′tion.—v.t. Tet′anise.—adj. Tet′anoid.—n. Tet′any, a rare and little understood disease of the nervous system, occurring both in children and adults, characterised by recurring attacks of tonic spasm of various muscles, particularly those of the fingers and toes, associated with defective hygienic conditions, imperfect ventilation, poor diet, and in children with rickets. [L.,—Gr.,—tetanos, stretched—teinein, to stretch.]

Tetanus is a disease that leads to muscle contractions that hold on for some time.

Infection generally occurs through wound contamination, and often involves a cut or deep puncture wound. The primary symptoms are caused by tetanospasmin, a neurotoxin produced by the anaerobic bacterium "Clostridium tetani". As the infection goes on, muscle spasms develop in the jaw. This led to the common name of the condition, lockjaw. This is usually followed by difficulties with swallowing. The condition leads to general muscle stiffness and spasms in other parts of the body. Infection can be prevented by proper immunization and by post-exposure prophylaxis.