COGWHEEL RIGIDITY Meaning and
Definition
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Cogwheel rigidity, also known as cogwheeling, is a motor symptom primarily associated with Parkinson's disease. It refers to a characteristic resistance felt when attempting to move a joint in a jerky, ratchety, or intermittent manner. This abnormal muscle tone occurs due to the combination of increased muscle rigidity and the presence of tremors.
The term "cogwheel" describes the sensation of moving the joint as if the gears of a wheel were catching and releasing intermittently. When an external force is applied to the joint, the resistance is felt as a series of brief, rapid jerks, similar to the toothed wheel mechanism of a cogwheel. Therefore, cogwheel rigidity can be described as the combination of increased muscle tone, resulting in stiffness, and the interrupted movement of the joint.
The underlying cause of cogwheel rigidity is a disruption in the communication between the motor cortex and the basal ganglia, which are responsible for coordinating and controlling movements. In Parkinson's disease, the loss of dopamine-producing cells in the substantia nigra leads to imbalances in these circuits, resulting in impaired movement control and the manifestation of cogwheel rigidity.
As a clinical sign, cogwheel rigidity is assessed by a healthcare professional during a physical examination by passively manipulating the patient's limbs. Its presence is an important diagnostic feature for Parkinson's disease, although it can also occur in other conditions affecting the basal ganglia. Treatment for cogwheel rigidity primarily focuses on managing Parkinson's disease symptoms through medication or other therapies aimed at improving motor control.
Common Misspellings for COGWHEEL RIGIDITY
- xogwheel rigidity
- vogwheel rigidity
- fogwheel rigidity
- dogwheel rigidity
- cigwheel rigidity
- ckgwheel rigidity
- clgwheel rigidity
- cpgwheel rigidity
- c0gwheel rigidity
- c9gwheel rigidity
- cofwheel rigidity
- covwheel rigidity
- cobwheel rigidity
- cohwheel rigidity
- coywheel rigidity
- cotwheel rigidity
- cogqheel rigidity
- cogaheel rigidity
- cogsheel rigidity
- cogeheel rigidity
Etymology of COGWHEEL RIGIDITY
The word "cogwheel" refers to a toothed wheel designed to interlock with other toothed wheels or gears. It comes from the combination of "cog", which originally meant a tooth projecting from a wheel or gear, and "wheel", which refers to a circular object that rotates on an axle. The term "rigidity" refers to the state or quality of being rigid, meaning stiff, unyielding, or inflexible.
In the medical context, "cogwheel rigidity" is a term used to describe a symptom in movement disorders, particularly in Parkinson's disease. It refers to a jerky resistance to movement, where the muscles momentarily halt and release during passive joint manipulation, resembling the feeling of a cogwheel being turned.
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