What is the medical term for a condition where the head bends to one side due to muscle spasms?

The term "torticollis" specifically describes a condition characterized by the involuntary contraction of the neck muscles, which leads to a twisting or tilting of the head to one side. This condition is often the result of muscle spasms in the sternocleidomastoid muscle, causing discomfort and limitation in neck movement. People with torticollis may find it painful to turn their heads in certain directions, and this condition can be congenital (present at birth) or acquired later in life due to various factors such as injury, strain, or neurological issues.

In contrast, spinal muscular atrophy refers to a genetic disorder affecting motor neurons in the spinal cord, leading to muscle weakness and atrophy, but does not specifically involve the neck muscles in the way torticollis does. Myasthenia gravis is an autoimmune disorder that results in weakness of voluntary muscles, affecting various areas of the body but not characterized by neck muscle spasms. Osteoarthritis is a degenerative joint disease that can lead to pain and stiffness in the joints, including the neck, but does not involve the sudden or involuntary muscle contractions associated with torticollis.