tono-, -tonia, -tone, -tony, -tonic, -tonical (tension) +

(Greek: 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.

tonofibril
1. A thin fibril made up of tonofilaments.
2. One of a system of fibers found in the cytoplasm of epithelial cells.
3. A bundle of fine filaments (tonofilaments) in certain cells, especially epithelial cells, the individual strands of which transverse the cytoplasm in all directions and extend into the cell processes to converge and insert on the desmosomes; they are thought to have a supportive or cytoskeletal function and, in keratinizing epithelia, to be the principal precursor of cytokeratin.
tonofilament
Any of the fine filaments of a tonofibril; because most occur in epithelial cells and are formed of keratin, the term is often used synonymously with keratin filament.
tonogram
The record produced by tonography (the recording of changes in intraocular pressure due to sustained pressure on the eyebal) in order to determine the facility of aqueous outflow in the eyes.
tonograph
A recording tonometer or a measuring instrument for measuring tension or pressure; especially, for measuring intraocular pressure when testing for glaucoma.
tonography
1. The recording of changes in intraocular pressure produced by the constant application of a known weight on the globe of the eye, reflecting the facility of outflow of the aqueous humor from the anterior chamber.
2. Continuous measurement of intraocular pressure to determine the facility of aqueous outflow, used to determine the presence of glaucoma.
3. The procedure of recording measurements (as of intraocular pressure) with a tonometer.
tonometer
1. An instrument for measuring tension or pressure.
2. An instrument by which intraocular pressure is measured; also called, ophthalmotonometer.
tonometry
1. The measurement of tension or pressure.
2. A procedure that measures the pressure inside the eyes. This is a screening test for glaucoma and is performed by an ophthalmologist.
tonoplast
The cytoplasmic membrane that surrounds a vacuole or cytoplasm of a plant cell. Also called vacuolar membrane.
tonoscillograph
An instrument that produces graphic records of arterial and capillary pressures as well as of individual pulse characters.
tonoscillography
A method of automatically recording blood pressure in the extremities.
vagotonia (s) (noun), vagotonias (pl)
1. Hyperexcitability of the tenth cranial (head) nerve, producing bradycardia (decreased heart output), and faintness: Mildred's vagotonia resulted in over activity or irritability of her vagus nerve, which adversely affected the function of her blood vessels, stomach, and muscles.
2. A condition in which the vagus nerve dominates the general functioning of the body organs: Manfred's vagotonia was marked by vasomotor (the nerves and muscles that cause blood vessels to constrict or to dilate), instability, constipation, sweating, and involuntary motor spasms with pain.

Related "tension" words at this tend-, tendo- unit.