Trismus
Type: Symptom
Definition
Severe spasms of the jaw muscles preventing the mouth from opening, colloquially known as lockjaw.
Clinical Details
The bacterial neurotoxin travels up peripheral motor nerves to the brainstem, where it relentlessly blocks the release of inhibitory neurotransmitters. Without these braking signals, the powerful masseter muscles of the jaw fire continuously and uncontrollably. The patient becomes physically unable to open their mouth to speak or eat.