Resembling or relating to athetosis; characterized by involuntary, writhing movements similar to those in athetotic disorders.
From 'atheto-' (not placed) + '-oid' (resembling). The '-oid' suffix indicates similarity, so 'athetoid' literally means 'resembling uncontrolled placement'—useful for describing similar conditions.
The '-oid' ending means 'looks like' or 'acts like'—so 'athetoid' movements don't have to be pure athetosis, they just resemble those wild, writhing patterns. It's a neurological catch-all term!
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