Definition

A medical condition characterized by the inability to open the mouth due to muscle spasms.

Example

The patient was diagnosed with trismus after experiencing difficulty in opening his mouth.

Conversation

I read an article about how stress can cause trismus in some people.

Really? I had no idea that stress could affect your jaw like that.

Yeah, it mentioned that it's an involuntary contraction of the jaw muscles.

That's fascinating! I wonder how many people actually experience trismus without realizing it.

Synonyms & Antonyms

Root Explanation

Trismus is derived from the Greek word "trismos" (meaning a grinding or gnashing of teeth). The term is used in medical contexts to describe a condition characterized by the involuntary contraction of the jaw muscles, leading to difficulty in opening the mouth.

Memory Tip

Imagine the sound of teeth grinding together, which helps you remember that 'trismus' refers to a condition where the jaw is tightly clenched.

Visually Confused Words