tetany /tet″ənē/ [Gk, tetanos, extreme tension] , a condition characterized by cramps, convulsions, twitching of the muscles, and sharp flexion of the wrist and ankle joints. These symptoms are sometimes accompanied by attacks of stridor. Tetany is a manifestation of an abnormality in calcium metabolism, which can occur in association with vitamin D deficiency, hypoparathyroidism, alkalosis, or the ingestion of alkaline salts. Kinds include duration tetany, gastric tetany, hyperventilation tetany, hypocalcemic tetany.
