trismus

[ triz-muhs, tris- ]

noun

, Pathology.

, plural tris·mus·es.

1. a spasm of the jaw muscles that makes it difficult to open the mouth.
2. lockjaw.

trismus

/ ˈtrɪzməs /

noun

1. pathol the state or condition of being unable to open the mouth because of sustained contractions of the jaw muscles, caused by a form of tetanus Nontechnical namelockjaw

Derived Forms

• ˈtrismic, adjective

Other Words From

• trismic adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of trismus¹

1685–95; < New Latin < Greek trismós a grinding

Word History and Origins

Origin of trismus¹

C17: from New Latin, from Greek trismos a grinding

Example Sentences

The woman on July 11 told doctors she had headache, jaw pain and trismus, a symptom that can mean jaw muscle spasms or locking.

From Washington Times

He also reports cases in which trismus and spasm of the glottis have been present.

From Project Gutenberg

It is recommended in the above mentioned doses for delirium tremens, trismus, tetanus and kindred diseases of the nervous system, repeated every hour or half-hour until relief is obtained.

From Project Gutenberg

He rapidly developed blindness, trismus, difficulty in swallowing, and shortly lost consciousness.

From Project Gutenberg

He," said he, looking round to the doctor, "calls it 'arachnoidal trismus,'—a thing, he says, that they have all of them ignored for many a day, though Charlemagne died of it.

From Project Gutenberg