Definition

A condition where the neck muscles are tight, causing the head to twist or tilt to one side, often due to muscle spasms.

Example

The doctor diagnosed her with torticollis after she complained of neck pain and difficulty turning her head.

Conversation

Have you ever heard of torticollis?

Yeah, I think it's when your neck gets all twisted, right?

Exactly! It can really be uncomfortable for people who have it.

I can only imagine — that must make everyday activities pretty difficult.

Synonyms & Antonyms

Root Explanation

Torticollis is formed from "torere" (meaning to twist) and "collis" (meaning neck). The word describes a condition where the neck is twisted, causing abnormal positioning.

Memory Tip

Imagine a neck that is 'twisted' ('torere') — that's what torticollis refers to.

Visually Confused Words