Chvostek sign

noun

One of the signs of tetany seen in hypocalcemia. When the facial nerve is tapped at the angle of the jaw (i.e. masseter muscle), the facial muscles on the same side of the face contract momentarily.

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Meanings

nounChvostek sign (plural Chvostek signs)

plural Chvostek signs

  1. medicineOne of the signs of tetany seen in hypocalcemia. When the facial nerve is tapped at the angle of the jaw (i.e. masseter muscle), the facial muscles on the same side of the face contract momentarily.

Origin

Named after František Chvostek, Austrian-born surgeon who described it.

Full word history & related roots →
Cite this entry
APA

Chvostek sign. (n.d.). In WatkinsX Dictionary. Retrieved November 5, 2026, from https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/Chvostek%20sign

MLA

“Chvostek sign.” WatkinsX Dictionary, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/Chvostek%20sign. Accessed November 5, 2026.

Chicago

WatkinsX Dictionary, s.v. “Chvostek sign,” accessed November 5, 2026, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/Chvostek%20sign.

Source: Chvostek sign on Wiktionary, CC BY-SA 4.0.