Torticollis is a form of dystonia (prolonged muscle contractions)
in which the neck muscles, particularly the sternocleidomastoid
muscle, contract involuntarily causing the head to turn.
Torticollis may occur without known cause (idiopathic), be genetic
(inherited), or be acquired secondary to damage to the nervous
system or muscles.
Review Date: 06/01/2010
Reviewed By: Linda J. Vorvick, MD, Medical Director, MEDEX Northwest Division of
Physician Assistant Studies, University of Washington, School of
Medicine; Daniel B. Hoch, PhD, MD, Assistant Professor of
Neurology, Harvard Medical School, Department of Neurology,
Massachusetts General Hospital. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD,
MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.
A.D.A.M., Inc. is accredited by URAC, also known as the American Accreditation HealthCare Commission (www.urac.org)
