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Multiple Choice

Which term describes abnormal muscle tone with involuntary sustained contractions that can be focal or generalized?

Dystonia is a movement disorder characterized by abnormal muscle tone with involuntary sustained contractions that cause twisting, repetitive movements or abnormal postures. These contractions can be focal, affecting a single body part like the neck or eyelids, or generalized, involving multiple regions. The key feature is the sustained or intermittent co-contraction of opposing muscles, leading to persistent postures rather than simple rhythmic motions. In contrast, tremor is primarily rhythmic oscillation, myoclonus consists of sudden brief jerks, and chorea involves rapid, irregular, dance-like movements that are not typically sustained contractions producing fixed postures.

Dystonia is a movement disorder characterized by abnormal muscle tone with involuntary sustained contractions that cause twisting, repetitive movements or abnormal postures. These contractions can be focal, affecting a single body part like the neck or eyelids, or generalized, involving multiple regions. The key feature is the sustained or intermittent co-contraction of opposing muscles, leading to persistent postures rather than simple rhythmic motions. In contrast, tremor is primarily rhythmic oscillation, myoclonus consists of sudden brief jerks, and chorea involves rapid, irregular, dance-like movements that are not typically sustained contractions producing fixed postures.