athetosis

[ ath-i-toh-sis ]

noun

, Pathology.

1. a condition, chiefly in children, of slow, involuntary, wormlike movements of the fingers, toes, hands, and feet, usually resulting from a brain lesion.

athetosis

/ ˌæθəˈtəʊsɪs /

noun

1. pathol a condition characterized by uncontrolled rhythmic writhing movement, esp of fingers, hands, head, and tongue, caused by cerebral lesion

Derived Forms

• ˈatheˌtoid, adjective

Other Words From

• athe·tosic ath·e·tot·ic [ath-i-, tot, -ik], adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of athetosis¹

1870–75; < Greek áthet ( os ) not placed ( a- a- ⁶ + thetós, equivalent to the- (stem of tithénai to set, put) + -tos verbid suffix) + -osis

Word History and Origins

Origin of athetosis¹

C19: from Greek athetos not in place, from a- ¹+ tithenai to place

Example Sentences

More unusual is the rhythmical closing and opening of the hand, successively, of athetosis.

From Project Gutenberg

The differential diagnosis of athetosis is generally easily made.

From Project Gutenberg

Some degree of mental deficiency seems usually to accompany athetosis, even when uncomplicated by any other degenerating neurosis.

From Project Gutenberg

The silly, dancing, posturing, wiry movements, and the facial distortion observed in Huntington's chorea would hardly be mistaken by a careful observer for athetosis.

From Project Gutenberg