Spasm 173177 222904834 2008-07-01T17:58:21Z Neelix 1169106 Added link to literary movement {{for|the 1993 metal album|Spasm (album)}} {{redirect|Spasmodic|the British literary movement|Spasmodic poets}} {{SignSymptom infobox | Name = Muscle spasm | ICD10 = {{ICD10|R|25|2|r|25}} | ICD9 = {{ICD9|728.85}} | }} [[Image:CBell1809.jpg|thumb|200px|Muscle spasms in a patient suffering from [[tetanus]] (1809)]] A '''spasm''' is a sudden, involuntary contraction of a [[muscle]], a group of muscles, or a hollow [[Organ (anatomy)|organ]], or a similarly sudden [[contraction]] of an [[orifice]]. It is sometimes accompanied by a sudden burst of [[pain]], but is usually harmless and ceases after a few minutes. Spasmodic muscle contraction may also be due to a large number of medical conditions, however, including the [[dystonia]]s. By extension, a spasm is a temporary burst of [[Energy (psychological)|energy]], [[activity]], [[emotion]] or [[stress]]/[[anxiety]]. A subtype of spasms is [[colic]], an episodic pain due to spasms of [[smooth muscle]] in a particular organ (e.g. the [[bile duct]]). A characteristic of colic is the sensation of having to move about, and the pain may induce [[nausea]] or [[vomiting]] if severe. Series of spasms or permanent spasms are called ''a spasmism''. In very severe cases, the spasm can induce muscular contractions that are more forceful than the sufferer could generate under normal circumstances. This can lead to torn tendons and ligaments. Some argue that [[hysterical strength]] is a type of spasm induced by the brain under extreme circumstances. ==See also== * [[Angina (disambiguation)|Angina]] * [[Blepharospasm]] * [[Cadaveric spasm]] * [[Cramp]] * [[Hypnic jerk]] * [[Muscle contraction]] * [[Myoclonus]] * [[Neck spasm]] ==External links== {{wiktionary|spasm}} *[http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/003193.htm NIH Medical Encyclopedia] *[http://health.howstuffworks.com/question223.htm How Stuff Works] *[http://www.healiohealth.com/muscle-spasm-treatment.html Helio Health] *[http://www.dystoni.com/public_htm/faq.htm Swedish] {{Nervous and musculoskeletal system symptoms and signs}} [[Category:Medical signs]] {{med-sign-stub}} [[cs:Křeč]] [[de:Krampf]] [[es:Espasmo muscular]] [[fr:Spasme]] [[lt:Spazmas]] [[ja:発作]] [[pl:Kurcz]] [[pt:Espasmo]] [[ru:Спазм]] [[fi:Spasmi]] [[sv:Spasm]] [[zh:抽搐]]