Hypotonia, Hypotonus

Hypotonia, Hypotonus

Hypotonia (hypotonus) is a diminution or loss of normal muscular tone, causing floppiness of the limbs. This is particularly associated with peripheral nerve or muscle pathology, as well as lesions of the cerebellum and certain basal ganglia disorders, such as hemiballismushemichorea.
Weakness preventing voluntary activity rather than a reduction in stretch reflex activity appears to be the mechanism of hypotonia.

 

References
Van der Meche FG, van Gijn J. Hypotonia: an erroneous clinical concept. Brain 1986; 109: 1169-1178

 

Cross References

Ataxia; Flaccidity; Hemiballismus; Hypertonia