Clasp-knife rigidity Health Dictionary

Sti?ness, resistance to movement. The term is often used in NEUROLOGY – for example, limb rigidity is a sign of PARKINSONISM. Smooth rigidity is described as being ‘plastic’ and jerky rigidity as ‘cogwheel’.... rigidity

Marked stiffness of the neck caused by spasm of the muscles in the neck and spine.

Neck rigidity is an important clinical sign of meningitis (inflammation of the membranes covering the brain and spinal cord).

Severe neck rigidity may cause the head to arch backwards, especially in babies.... neck rigidity

n. (in dentistry) the part of a *denture or *orthodontic appliance responsible for its stabilization and retention. They are normally made of a cast or wrought metal, although more recently flexible acrylic clasps are also available.... clasp

a device that allows high doses of radiation in the form of gamma rays to be accurately focused on pathological tissue, with less risk of damaging adjacent normal tissue compared with conventional radiotherapy. Multiple cobalt-60 sources deliver the gamma irradiation. The device is used in the treatment of vestibular schwannomas, certain brain tumours, vascular lesions of the brain, trigeminal neuralgia, and some forms of epilepsy.... gamma knife