Opisthotonos:A great rigidspasmof the body, with the back fully arched and the heels and head bent back.Opisthotonosoccursinmeningitis, especially in infants, due to irritation of the membranes surrounding thebrainandspinal cord. It also occurs with depressed brain function andinjuryto the brain. Opisthotonos is an ominous neurologicsign.
