Risus sardonicus

Risus sardonicus

Risus sardonicus is a highly characteristic, abnormal, sustained spasm of the facial muscles that is most often observed as a symptom of tetanus. The name of the condition derives from the appearance of raised eyebrows and an evil, open grin that it gives to its victim. Also poisoning with strychnine may result in a risus sardonicus.

In popular culture

The condition was the inspiration behind the 1981 track "Sardonicus" by UB40, on their album, Present Arms. The song has strong political linkages with false smiles.

Arthur Conan Doyle's hero Sherlock Holmes uses the term to describe the facial distortion of the murder victim Bartholomew Sholto in his story "The Sign of the Four".

Risus Sardonicus is also known as the Hippocratic Smile

The Joker often kills his victims with toxins that induce Risus Sardonicus.

ee also

* Tetanus
* Trismus
* Sardonicism

External links

* [http://history.amedd.army.mil/booksdocs/wwii/actvsurgconvoli/Figures/fig87.jpgPhoto]


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  • Risus sardonicus — Krämpfe der Gesichtsmuskulatur (Risus sardonicus) Der Risus sardonicus (lat. für Sardonisches Lachen, häufig ungenau als Teufelsgrinsen übersetzt) ist ein Symptom einer Infektion mit Clostridium tetani. Diese Bakterien erzeugen Tetanus, den… …   Deutsch Wikipedia

  • Risus sardonicus — Ri|sus sar|do|ni|cus [ ...kus] der; <aus lat. risus sardonicus »sardonisches Lachen« zu risus »das Lachen« u. gr. sardónios »hohnlachend, grinsend«> maskenartige, grinsende Verzerrung der Gesichtsmuskulatur (typisches Zeichen bei ↑Tetanus;… …   Das große Fremdwörterbuch

  • risus sardonicus — |rēsə(s)ˌsärˈdänə̇kəs, |rīs noun Etymology: New Latin, literally, sardonic laugh : a facial expression characterized by raised eyebrows and grinning distortion of the face resulting from spasm of facial muscles especially in tetanus * * * risus… …   Useful english dictionary

  • Risus sardonicus — Ri̱sus sardo̱nicus [lat. risus = das Lachen; gr. σαρδονιος = hohnlachend, grinsend; grimmig] m; : „sardonisches Lachen“, maskenartige, grinsende Verzerrung der Gesichtsmuskulatur (typisches Zeichen bei ↑Tetanus) …   Das Wörterbuch medizinischer Fachausdrücke

  • risus sardonicus — ri·sus sar·do·ni·cus rī səs .sär dän i kəs, rē n a facial expression characterized by raised eyebrows and grinning distortion of the face resulting from spasm of facial muscles esp. in tetanus * * * an abnormal grinning expression resulting from… …   Medical dictionary

  • Risus sardonicus — Sardonisk latter, krampagtig smilen ved stivkrampe …   Danske encyklopædi

  • risus sardonicus — an abnormal grinning expression resulting from involuntary prolonged contraction of facial muscles, as seen in tetanus …   The new mediacal dictionary

  • risus — /rīˈsəs or rēˈsŭs/ noun 1. A laugh 2. A grin ORIGIN: L rīsus, ūs laugh • • • risus sardonicus /sär donˈik əs or ŭsˈ/ noun (pathology) A sardonic grin, or drawing back of the corners of the mouth by spasm of the muscles, as in tetanus …   Useful english dictionary

  • sardonicus — see RISUS SARDONICUS …   Medical dictionary

  • Улыбка Сардоническая (Risus Sardonicus) — болезненное выражение лица человека, напоминающее оскал; такое выражение возникает в результате непроизвольного длительного сокращения лицевых мышц, например, при столбняке. Источник: Медицинский словарь …   Медицинские термины

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