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

A few days later she woke up with trismus, commonly known as lockjaw, and was unable to open her mouth - a symptom of tetanus, which only a handful of people contract in the UK each year.

From BBC

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

Trismus is not uncommon, and clonic spasms frequently affect the limbs.

From Project Gutenberg

The clonic nature of the spasms and the entire absence of trismus serve to distinguish it from tetanus.

From Project Gutenberg