torticollis

noun

tor·​ti·​col·​lis ˌtȯr-tə-ˈkä-ləs 

: an acute or chronic often painful condition characterized by involuntary intermittent or sustained contraction of the muscles of the neck (such as the sternocleidomastoid or trapezius) that causes the head to tilt or turn sideways, bend forward or backward, or jerk abnormally

Note: Torticollis may occur secondary to an injury or a preexisting condition (such as a musculoskeletal abnormality or a neurodegenerative disease) but is often of unknown cause.

called also wryneck

Examples of torticollis in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Researchers at Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center have learned that babies born with neonatal abstinence syndrome are more likely to have torticollis, an abnormal neck condition. —Anne Saker, Cincinnati.com, 28 June 2018

Word History

Etymology

New Latin, from Latin tortus twisted + -i- + collum neck — more at collar

First Known Use

circa 1811, in the meaning defined above

Medical Definition

torticollis

noun

tor·​ti·​col·​lis ˌtȯrt-ə-ˈkäl-əs 

: an acute or chronic often painful condition characterized by involuntary intermittent or sustained contraction of the muscles of the neck (as the sternocleidomastoid or trapezius) that causes the head to tilt or turn sideways, bend forward or backward, or jerk abnormally

Note: Torticollis may occur secondary to injury or a preexisting condition (as musculoskeletal abnormality or neurodegenerative disease) but is often of unknown cause. When occurring in animals, torticollis may also be caused by bacterial or parasitic infection or nutritional imbalance.

called also wryneck

compare cervical dystonia