cramp. 1

A spasmodic and painful contraction of a muscle or muscles. 2. A sudden sharp pain, especially applied to gas in the bowels, c. bark. The bark of Viburnum opulus. c. bone. The patella of a sheep; so called because formerly* employed as a charm for c. C of the jaw. A spasmodic contraction of the anterior belly of the digastric muscle, coming on generally after gaping and preventing the closure of the jaw. writer's C. Syn.: scrivener's palsy. An affection observed among writers; characterized by pain or difficulty in writing. Writer's c. is the most common example of the c's developed by persons in trades or profe ions, which require the continuous use of one set of muscles. The other varieties most commonly met with are: blacksmith's c, cigarette maker's c, cigar maker's c, dancer's c, milker's c, musician's c, pianist's c, sawyer's er's or'sc. c, telegrapher's c, swimmer's c, tailc, watch mak cranial cranium. (kra'ne-al). Pertaining to the craniectomy (kra-ne-ek'to-me). eration of removing a part of the The opcranium. [Gr., kranion, skull, -jektome, excision.]