Twitching, Fasciculations vs. Spasms

[samanthaxyysamanthax]

What is the difference between a fasciculation and a muscle spasm? When you google "twitch" both terms come up. I think the random twitches throughout my body are fasciculations...right? But what about the ones that move my toes or my fingers...are those spasms??

 

[LevenLevi]

Those are fasciculations too, but i may look like a spasm indeed.A spasm is a contracting muscle, and it usually keeps this position for quite a while, its a cramp that wont go away that easily.And it can be quite painful. I'm sure you will notice when you have spasms Greetings,LevenLevi

 

[Howdyfromt]

fasciculation: spasm: Fasciculations are much less involved than spasms and in BFS either represent spontaneous depolarization of lower motor neurons, peripheral nerve hyperexcitability, or some unknown etiology. The entire muscle does not contract in a fasciculation, solely the part of the muscle controlled by the malfunctioning alpha motor neuron. The fasciculating area is known as a motor unit. Fasciculations are not painful.In a muscle spasm, the entire muscle will painfully contract to varying degrees, possibly contracting hard, perhaps loosening, then contracting again in an erratic fashion. Or, it may just cramp up and stay that way for a few minutes. The calves (gastrocnemius muscles) are most susceptible to this type of contraction. Spasms result from malfunctioning upper motor neurons.And yeah, the fasciculations that manage to move your entire finger are indeed still fasciculations. The only reason that they manage to move your entire finger is because your fingers are small and they have fewer motor units. Fewer motor units means that when one fasciculates, it makes a bigger impact. Spasms and cramps in your fingers would be pretty unusual, unless you're misusing them.