hypocalcemic tetany /-kalsē″mik/ [Gk, hypo, under; L, calx, calcium, haima, blood, tetanos, convulsive tension] , a disease caused by an abnormally low level of calcium in the blood. It is characterized by hyperexcitability of the neuromuscular system and results in carpopedal spasms. A common cause is a deficiency of parathyroid hormone secretion.
