spasmus

Spasmus is a medical term derived from the Greek spásmos, meaning a sudden, involuntary contraction of a muscle or a group of muscles, or of a hollow organ lining. In clinical use, spasmus describes localized or organ-wide spasms and appears most often in German, Eastern European, and some Latin medical texts as a traditional term. In modern practice, “spasm” is more common, but “spasmus” persists in certain conditions such as spasmus esophageus or spasmus ani.

Common contexts include spasmus esophageus (esophageal spasm), which can cause chest pain and dysphagia; intestinal or biliary smooth muscle spasms; and spasmus ani, a transient anal sphincter spasm that may accompany pain or anorectal disorders. Spasms may affect other smooth or skeletal muscles and can be primary (idiopathic) or secondary to irritation, inflammation, electrolyte disturbance, medication effects, or neurologic disease.

Pathophysiology involves increased excitability or discoordination of neural input to muscle fibers, or intrinsic changes in the muscle itself. Diagnosis rests on clinical history and targeted tests, such as esophageal manometry for spasm of the esophagus, imaging or endoscopy to exclude structural disease, and laboratory studies to identify metabolic contributors.

Treatment is usually symptom-directed. Antispasmodic agents (for example, hyoscyamine or dicyclomine) and calcium channel blockers may reduce smooth-muscle spasm. Other options include nitrates, phosphodiesterase inhibitors, botulinum toxin injections for focal spasms, and neuromodulatory or physical therapy approaches. Management of underlying conditions is essential.

Prognosis varies by location and cause; some spasms are transient, while others recur chronically. See also spasm, cramp, and esophageal motility disorders.