[tawr-ti-kol-is] 
| a condition in which the neck is twisted and the head inclined to one side, caused by spasmodic contraction of the muscles of the neck. |
| tor·ti·col·lis (tôr'tĭ-kŏl'ĭs) n. A contracted state of the neck muscles that causes the neck to rotate and tilt sideways, forwards, or backwards. Also called wryneck. [New Latin : Latin tortus, twisted, past participle of torquēre, to twist; see terkw- in Indo-European roots + collum, neck; see kwel-1 in Indo-European roots.] |
torticollis tor·ti·col·lis (tôr'tĭ-kŏl'ĭs)
n.
A contracted state of the neck muscles producing an unnatural position of the head. Also called wryneck.
torticollis
abnormality in which the neck is in a twisted, bent position such that the head is pulled to one side and the chin points to the other. In infants the most common causes of torticollis include congenital shortening of muscles on one side of the neck, malposition of the fetus in the uterus, and trauma to the sternocleidomastoid muscle of the neck during birth. In adults, poor posture, tumours of the cervical spine, and inflammation of cervical lymph nodes may cause the condition. Treatment may include stretching of the neck muscles, applying heat to the affected area, traction of the cervical spine, or a neck brace.
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tɪˈkɒl
