NEW LOWER PRICES - ACT FAST
Medicine (MD/DO)
/
Courses
/
Microbiology
/
Gram Positive Bacilli
/
Clostridium tetani

Master Clostridium tetani with Picmonic for Medicine

With Picmonic, facts become pictures. We've taken what the science shows - image mnemonics work - but we've boosted the effectiveness by building and associating memorable characters, interesting audio stories, and built-in quizzing.

DOWNLOAD PDF
Clostridium tetani

Clostridium tetani

Classroom Titanic
Picmonic
Clostridium tetani is a gram-positive anaerobic bacillus that causes tetanus, a disease characterized by painful muscle spasms. Like the other Clostridium species, it is a spore-forming organism. These spores are naturally found in the soil or gastrointestinal tract of animals, while the infection is usually caused by traumatic implantation into tissues with low oxygenation (e.g. stepping on a rusty nail, puncture, burns, unsterile surgery). This organism releases a potent exotoxin, called tetanus toxin, or tetanospasmin, which acts at the presynaptic membrane of inhibitory motor nerve endings of Renshaw cells in the anterior horn cells of the spinal cord. This tetanus toxin blocks inhibitory signals by interfering with the release of inhibitory neurotransmitters, including GABA and glycine, which results in an increased firing rate of alpha motor neurons. This causes rigidity, unopposed muscle contractions, and spasms. Characteristic features include risus sardonicus, lockjaw, and opisthotonus. Death typically results from paralysis of the throat and respiratory muscles.
11 KEY FACTS
CHARACTERISTICS
Gram-Positive
Graham-cracker Positive-angel

Clostridium tetani stains positively on Gram stain because of its thick peptidoglycan layer, which absorbs crystal violet. In contrast, organisms without this peptidoglycan layer cannot absorb crystal violet staining, making them gram-negative.

Bacilli
Rod

These bacteria are bacilli, or rod-shaped organisms.

Obligate Anaerobic
Ant-in-robe

Clostridium tetani is an obligate anaerobe, meaning it cannot survive in the presence of oxygen.

Exotoxin
Bursting-toxic-balloon

An exotoxin is classified as a toxin released by bacteria into the environment. Clostridium tetani releases a potent exotoxin called tetanospasmin (or tetanus toxin), which acts at the presynaptic membranes of inhibitor motor nerve endings of Renshaw cells in the spinal cord. Specifically, tetanus toxin, which is an exotoxin with neurotoxic activity, blocks inhibitory signals by interfering with the release of inhibitory neurotransmitters, including GABA and glycine.

Spore-Forming
Spores

As Clostridium tetani bacteria mature, they develop terminal spores. These spores are extremely resilient, resistant to heat, and are widely distributed in soils. The spores of Clostridium tetani typically enter their host through a wound in the skin, where they replicate and produce toxins.

Renshaw Cells in the Spinal Cord
Renshaw-wrench

Renshaw cells are inhibitory interneurons found in the gray matter of the spinal cord. They function to send an inhibitory axon to synapse with the cell body of an alpha motor neuron. The inhibitory activity of this pathway leads to an increased firing rate of alpha motor neurons, ultimately manifesting as spasms in those affected.

Blocks Glycine and GABA Release
Glycine-glacier and GABA-goose with Stop-sign

Tetanus toxin blocks inhibitory signals by interfering with the release of inhibitory neurotransmitters, including GABA and glycine.

SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS
Spasms
Spasm-spaceship

In patients infected by Clostridium tetani there is a loss of inhibitory signals to alpha motor neurons. This causes an increased firing rate, which leads to rigidity, unopposed muscle contractions, and spasms.

Risus Sardonicus
Sardine Smile

Risus sardonicus is described as the appearance of raised eyebrows and an open grin caused by an abnormal sustained spasm of the facial muscles. This is a characteristic finding in those affected by tetanus.

Lockjaw
Locked-jaw

Lockjaw, also called trismus, is a pathological condition in which the mouth is held shut by a sustained spasm of the jaw muscles. Lockjaw commonly arises as one of the first signs of tetanus.

Opisthotonus
Severe Hyperextension of Pistol-body

Opisthotonus is a characteristic finding of tetanus. This term refers to a state of pronounced hyperextension caused by severe back muscle spasms, characterized by arching of the head, neck, and spinal column.

DOWNLOAD PDF

Recommended Picmonics

picmonic thumbnail
Clostridioides difficile (Clostridium difficile)
picmonic thumbnail
Clostridium difficile (Clostridioides difficile) Treatments
picmonic thumbnail
Clostridium botulinum
picmonic thumbnail
Corynebacterium diphtheriae
picmonic thumbnail
Listeria Monocytogenes Characteristics

Take the Clostridium tetani Quiz

Picmonic's rapid review multiple-choice quiz allows you to assess your knowledge.

It's worth every penny

Our Story Mnemonics Increase Mastery and Retention

Memorize facts with phonetic mnemonics

Unforgettable characters with concise but impactful videos (2-4 min each)

Memorize facts with phonetic mnemonics

Ace Your Medicine (MD/DO) Classes & Exams with Picmonic:

Over 1,970,000 students use Picmonic’s picture mnemonics to improve knowledge, retention, and exam performance.

Choose the #1 Medicine (MD/DO) student study app.

Picmonic for Medicine (MD/DO) covers information that is relevant to your entire Medicine (MD/DO) education. Whether you’re studying for your classes or getting ready to conquer the USMLE Step 1, USMLE Step 2 CK, COMLEX Level 1, or COMLEX Level 2, we’re here to help.

Works better than traditional Medicine (MD/DO) flashcards.

Research shows that students who use Picmonic see a 331% improvement in memory retention and a 50% improvement in test scores.