Chvostek sign
Chvostek sign
Chvostek sign (/kvɒstɛk/; from the Czech physician František Chvostek) is a clinical sign that is indicative of tetany. Tetany is a medical condition characterized by involuntary contraction of muscles, which is typically caused by disorders that increase the neuronal excitability.
Pronunciation
The term is pronounced as "kvɒstɛk".
Etymology
The sign is named after the Czech physician František Chvostek who first described it in 1876.
Description
Chvostek sign is a clinical sign of existing nerve hyperexcitability (tetany) caused by low levels of calcium in the blood (hypocalcemia). It refers to an abnormal reaction to the stimulation of the facial nerve. When the facial nerve is tapped at the angle of the jaw (the masseter muscle), the facial muscles on the same side of the face will contract momentarily (typically a twitch of the nose or lips) because of hypocalcemia with resultant hyperexcitability of nerves.
Related Terms
See Also
External links
- Medical encyclopedia article on Chvostek sign
- Wikipedia's article - Chvostek sign
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