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Seizure
An overexcitable state of nerve cells in the brain, leading to sudden, violent, involuntary contractions of a group of muscles. A contraction is shortening and thickening of the muscles. Seizures can occur in distinct predictable episodes (as in a chronic seizure disorder) independent of external events or they can occur suddenly in response to an external event such as a traumatic brain injury.

Seizures are sometimes described as focal, which means that they originate from a specific region of the brain. Seizures are sometimes described as unilateral or bilateral, meaning that they can originate from one or both sides of the brain, respectively. Seizures are sometimes described as partial, which also means that they come from one area of the brain. If seizures are described as generalized, this means that the disruption of nerve cells spread from one brain region to multiple brain regions on both sides. Some seizures are described as tonic, meaning that the muscles (usually the limbs) are extended and stiff. Others seizures are described as clonic, meaning that the muscles are jerking back and forth. When tonic and clonic seizures occur together they are known as tonic-clonic seizures.

The word "seizure" is sometimes use as a general term to describe an attack, the sudden onset of a disease, or the sudden onset of certain symptoms. Recurrent episodes of seizures are typically referred to as epilepsy. A seizure is also known as a convulsion. Seizure comes from the Old French word "seisir" meaning "to grasp."

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