How Do You Spell PARADOXICAL CONTRACTION?

1. A paradoxical contraction refers to a phenomenon in physiology where a muscle or a group of muscles contract in an unexpected or contradictory manner. This term suggests that the contraction is counterintuitive or contrary to the natural operation of the muscles involved.

   The occurrence of a paradoxical contraction can be observed when the muscle contracts instead of relaxing as it normally would under certain circumstances. This contraction typically happens when there is a conflict between opposing muscles, leading to an unexpected response. It is often characterized by the activation of muscles that would typically be inactive during a specific movement or action.

   Paradoxical contractions can occur in various parts of the body and are commonly observed in conditions such as muscle spasms, dystonia, or other neuromuscular disorders. For instance, in respiratory physiology, a paradoxical contraction may occur in the diaphragm when it contracts during inhalation, instead of relaxing as it should. This abnormal contraction leads to difficulty in breathing and is often associated with conditions like paradoxical vocal fold motion disorder or paradoxical chest wall movement.

   The term "paradoxical contraction" portrays the contradictory nature of these muscular contractions, highlighting their atypical behavior compared to what is expected. In medical contexts, understanding and identifying paradoxical contractions are crucial for diagnosing and treating various neuromuscular and movement disorders accurately.

2. • A tonic contraction of the anterior tibial muscles when a sudden passive dorsal flexion of the foot is made.

   • The contraction of a muscle when its origin and insertion are passively approximated.

   A practical medical dictionary. By Stedman, Thomas Lathrop. Published 1920.

Common Misspellings for PARADOXICAL CONTRACTION

The etymology of the word "paradoxical contraction" can be understood by breaking down the individual components:

1. Paradoxical: The word "paradoxical" comes from the Latin word "paradoxum", which in turn derives from the Greek word "paradoxon". The Greek root "para" means "contrary to" or "beside", and "doxa" means "opinion" or "belief". Therefore, a paradoxical situation or concept refers to something that is contrary to common belief or expectation.

2. Contraction: The word "contraction" has its roots in the Latin verb "contractus", which means "drawn together" or "concentrated". In English, it specifically refers to the action of becoming smaller or shorter.