Chvostek's Sign
Type: Symptom
Definition
A clinical reflex characterized by twitching of the facial muscles in response to tapping over the facial nerve.
Clinical Details
This is a classic, elicitible physical sign of latent tetany caused by hypocalcemia. When a physician physically taps the cheek over the path of the facial nerve, the mechanical irritation is enough to trigger the hyper-excitable nerve. The facial muscles on that side will involuntarily twitch or powerfully spasm.