contracture

n. an abnormal shortening or tightening of a muscle, which can result in permanent disability due to difficulty in stretching the muscle. A contracture often follows a disorder or injury that makes movement painful or is a consequence of prolonged, enforced inactivity (e.g., a coma).

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Psychology term of the day

May 9th 2024

granular cortex

the portion of the cerebral cortex that contains granule cells, which are located in layers II and IV of the cortex (see cortical layers). The term refers particularly to primary sensory cortex, in which layer IV (the major input area) is very thick. Compare agranular cortex.