tic
To view the entire topic, please log in or purchase a subscription.
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)

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 log in or purchase a subscription --
(tik)

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.