asterixis
|as-ter-ix-is|
/ˌæs.təˈrɪk.sɪs/
loss of steady posture (flapping)
Etymology
'asterixis' originates from New Latin/Greek, specifically from Greek elements 'a-' meaning 'not' or 'without' and a form related to 'sterixis' meaning 'fixing' or 'steadiness'.
'asterixis' entered modern medical English via Neo-Latin/medical usage in the late 19th to early 20th century, formed from Greek components and adopted into Latin-based medical terminology before becoming the standard English term.
Initially coined to describe a loss or lack of fixation/steadiness, it evolved into the specific medical meaning of a flapping loss of sustained muscle tone (the clinical sign recognized today).
Meanings by Part of Speech
Noun 1
a flapping tremor or brief loss of sustained muscle tone (negative myoclonus), typically seen when the wrists are extended; classically associated with hepatic encephalopathy and other metabolic encephalopathies.
On neurological examination the patient displayed bilateral asterixis when asked to extend both wrists.
Synonyms
Last updated: 2025/11/06 00:22