Abnormal tilting and twisting of the head. It may be due to injury to, or spasm of, the muscles on one side of the neck (see torticollis), among other factors.
xanthelasma A yellowish deposit of fatty material that is visible in the skin around the eyes. Xanthelasmas are common in elderly people and are usually of no more than cosmetic importance. However, in younger people they may be associated with hyperlipidaemias, in which there is excess fat in the blood. Xanthelasmas may be removed, if necessary, by a simple surgical procedure under a local anaesthetic. Any associated hyperlipidaemia must also be treated.
(See also xanthomatosis.)
A condition in which the head is twisted to one side. It may be caused by the contraction of a scar, such as that resulting from a burn or by paralysis of some of the muscles; as a result of injury at birth; or trauma to the area later in life. Treatment is by an orthopaedic collar, heat or ULTRASOUND, or PHYSIOTHERAPY. Sometimes a local injection of BOTULISM toxin will produce temporary relief. Rarely, surgery is necessary. (See also MUSCLES, DISORDERS OF – Cramp; SPASMODIC TORTICOLLIS.)
a primitive reflex that is present from birth but should disappear by six months of age. If the infant is lying on its back and the head is turned to one side, the arm and leg on the side to which the head is turned should straighten, and the arm and leg on the opposite side should bend (the ‘fencer’ position). Persistence of the reflex beyond six months is suggestive of *cerebral palsy.... asymmetric tonic neck reflex