Risus sardonicus

Risus sardonicus or rictus grin is a highly characteristic, abnormal, sustained spasm of the facial muscles that appears to produce grinning. It may be caused by tetanus,^[1][2] strychnine poisoning, or Wilson's disease, and has been reported after judicial hanging.^{[medical citation needed]}

The condition's name, associated with the Mediterranean island of Sardinia, derives from the appearance of raised eyebrows and an open "grin" – which can appear sardonic or malevolent to the lay observer – displayed by those experiencing these muscle spasms.

Causes[]

It is most often observed as a sign of tetanus.^[3] It can also be caused by poisoning with strychnine^[4] or Wilson's disease.

In 2009, scientists at the University of Eastern Piedmont in Italy wrote that they had identified hemlock water-dropwort (Oenanthe crocata) as the plant historically responsible for producing the sardonic grin.^[5][6] This plant is the most likely candidate for the "sardonic herb", which was a neurotoxic plant used for the ritual killing of elderly people in pre-Roman Nuragic Sardinia.

See also[]

• Sardonicism
• Trismus
• Mr. Sardonicus
• The Man Who Laughs (1928 film)
• Twelve Dreams of Dr. Sardonicus, a 1970 music album by Spirit
• Joker (character)

References[]

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