Cogwheel
Cogwheel
Cogwheel (pronunciation: /ˈkɒɡˌwiːl/) is a term often used in the medical field, particularly in neurology, to describe a specific type of rigidity observed in Parkinson's disease.
Etymology
The term "cogwheel" is derived from the mechanical wheels used in various machines, which have teeth or cogs that interlock with another wheel's teeth to transmit or receive motion. In a medical context, it refers to the jerky, ratchet-like resistance felt by a clinician when moving a patient's limb, reminiscent of the motion of a cogwheel.
Definition
In neurology, cogwheel rigidity is a type of muscle rigidity where the muscle tone is increased and movement is stiff, yet also has a characteristic 'catch and release' or 'give' quality when the limb is passively moved. This is often associated with Parkinson's disease and other parkinsonism syndromes.
Related Terms
- Parkinson's disease: A long-term degenerative disorder of the nervous system that mainly affects the motor system. The symptoms generally come on slowly over time and include shaking, rigidity, slowness of movement, and difficulty with walking.
- Rigidity: In the context of medicine, rigidity refers to an abnormal stiffness of the muscles which can occur in various medical conditions, including Parkinson's disease.
- Neurology: The branch of medicine dealing with disorders of the nervous system. Neurology deals with the diagnosis and treatment of all categories of conditions and disease involving the central and peripheral nervous systems.
- Parkinsonism: The term "parkinsonism" refers to a syndrome characterized by tremor, bradykinesia, rigidity, and postural instability. Parkinson's disease is the most common cause of parkinsonism.
External links
- Medical encyclopedia article on Cogwheel
- Wikipedia's article - Cogwheel
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