A tic involves involuntary, repetitive muscle contractions that often lack purpose, most frequently occurring in the face, shoulders, or arms. Common examples include eye blinking, mouth twitching, and shoulder shrugging. Tics generally emerge during childhood and may indicate a minor psychological issue. While they often resolve within a year of appearing, they can sometimes continue into adulthood.
A sudden, repetitive twitch, often in the facial muscles, known as a habit spasm. “Tic convulsive” refers to a muscle spasm in the face, specifically in the region served by the seventh cranial nerve.