tic

tic is a topic covered in the Taber's Medical Dictionary.

To view the entire topic, please or .

Taber’s Cyclopedic Medical Dictionary 24th Edition Online + App from F.A. Davis and Unbound Medicine. Find 75,000 medical and nursing definitions. Download to iPhone, iPad, and Android. Explore these free sample topics:

-- The first section of this topic is shown below --

(tik)

To hear audio pronunciation of this topic, purchase a subscription or log in.

A spasmodic muscular contraction, most commonly involving the face, mouth, eyes, head, neck, or shoulder muscles. The spasms may be tonic or clonic. The movement appears purposeful, is often repeated, is involuntary, and can be inhibited for a short time.
Children between the ages of 5 and 10 years are esp. likely to develop tics.
SEE: Tourette syndrome

ETIOLOGY
In most cases, the cause is unknown. In some people, the tic is worsened by anxiety and nervous tension.

-- To view the remaining sections of this topic, please or --

(tik)

To hear audio pronunciation of this topic, purchase a subscription or log in.

A spasmodic muscular contraction, most commonly involving the face, mouth, eyes, head, neck, or shoulder muscles. The spasms may be tonic or clonic. The movement appears purposeful, is often repeated, is involuntary, and can be inhibited for a short time.
Children between the ages of 5 and 10 years are esp. likely to develop tics.
SEE: Tourette syndrome

ETIOLOGY
In most cases, the cause is unknown. In some people, the tic is worsened by anxiety and nervous tension.

There's more to see -- the rest of this topic is available only to subscribers.