Clonus is a sequence of involuntary or reflexive muscular contractions which transpire due to the unexpected stretching of the muscle. The word originates from the Greek word "klonos," which means turmoil. Occurrence of the clonus is a signal of a possible neurological abnormality, which implies that there can be a likelihood of a stroke, spine related problems or multiple sclerosis.
Unlike the "sudden twitch of the muscle" or the fasciculation caused by the motor neuron in the spinal cord,(the lower motor neuron), the clonus is caused by the upper body neuron whose cell body is situated in the cerebral cortex. Clonus is mostly prevalent in the ankles. One can also test the occurrence of the clonus in the knees by rapidly pushing the knee cap toward the toe.
Unlike the "sudden twitch of the muscle" or the fasciculation caused by the motor neuron in the spinal cord,(the lower motor neuron), the clonus is caused by the upper body neuron whose cell body is situated in the cerebral cortex. Clonus is mostly prevalent in the ankles. One can also test the occurrence of the clonus in the knees by rapidly pushing the knee cap toward the toe.
