tono-, -tonia, -tone, -tony, -tonic, -tonical (tension) +
(Greek: tonos = tension, pressure)
The element tono- is a combining form with the meanings "stretching", "tension", "tone", used in the formation of compound words.
The suffix element -tonia is a combining form with the meanings of "muscle tension" or "nerve tension"; as specified by the initial element: hypertonia; used also in the formation of words that denote more generally a personality type or personality disorder; for example, catatonia and somatotonia.
amyotonia
Generalized absence of muscle tone, usually associated with flabby musculature and an increased range of passive movement at joints.
amyotonia, amyotonic
Lack of muscle tone; specifically (in full amyotonia congenita), any of several rare congenital diseases characterized by general hypotonia of the skeletal muscles.
angiohypertonia
Also known as vasospasm, the sudden decrease in the internal diameter of a blood vessel that results from contraction of smooth muscle within the wall of the vessel. This causes a decrease in blood flow, but an increase in systemic vascular resistance. Also known as, vasoconstriction.
angiohypotonia
Known as vasodilatation, it refers to dilatation of the blood vessels, particularly functional increase of the arteriolar lumen.
atonia
1. Lack of physiological tone especially of a contractile organ.
2. Lack of normal muscular tension or tonus.
atonic
1. Relating to, caused by, or exhibiting lack of muscle tone.
2. Relating to or characterized by a lack of tone or vital energy. It refers to the whole body, to a particular system of the body, or to single organs; especially to contractile organs.
atonicity
Relating to, caused by, or exhibiting lack of normal muscle tone or strength; atony.
atony, atonies, atonias
1. Lack of tone or energy; muscular weakness; especially, in a contractile organ.
2. Lack of normal muscle tone.
3. Lack of normal tone or tension; flaccidity.
catatonia, katatonia; catatonic, katatonic
1. A form of insanity, characterized by epilepsy and catalepsy.
2. An abnormal condition often associated with schizophrenia and variously characterized by stupor, stereotypy, mania, and either rigidity or extreme flexibility of the limbs.
cerebrotonic, cerebrotonia
Designating or characteristic of a type of personality which is introverted, intellectual, and emotionally restrained.
dystonia
Prolonged muscle contractions that may cause twisting and repetitive movements or abnormal posture.
These movements may be in the form of rhythmic jerks. The condition may progress in childhood, but it is rare in adults. In children the legs are usually affected first.
ecotone
1. In ecology, a transition zone between two distinct habitats that contains species from each area, as well as organisms unique to it.
2. In anthropology, such an area of transition in which certain game or vegetation overlap; a region of primary importance for human subsistence.
An ecotone is a transition area between two adjacent ecological communities (ecosystems). It may appear on the ground as a gradual blending of the two communities across a broad area, or it may manifest itself as a sharp boundary line.
Ecotones are particularly significant for mobile animals, as they can exploit more than one set of habitats within a short distance. This can produce an edge effect along the boundary line, with the area displaying a greater than usual diversity of species.
The word was coined from a combination of eco(logy) plus -tone, from Greek tonos or "tension"; in other words, a place where "ecologies are in tension".
hypertonia, hypertonias, hypertony, hypertonies
1. Increased rigidity, tension, and spasticity of the muscles.
2. The condition (in muscle or muscular tissue) of being hypertonic.
3. A condition of excessive tone of the skeletal muscles; increased resistance of muscle to passive stretching.
hypertonic
1. Having an extreme muscular or arterial tension; spastic.
2. Having a higher osmotic pressure of two solutions.
hypotonia, hypotonus
1. A state of reduced pressure of the intra-ocular fluid.
2. A condition in which there is diminution or loss of muscular tonicity, resulting in the stretching of the muscles beyond their normal limits.
3. A condition of diminished tone of the skeletal muscles, resulting in the diminished resistance of muscles to passive stretching.
4. The condition (in muscle or muscular tissue) of being hypotonic.
Related "tension" words at this tend-, tendo- unit.