Yawning

Yawning, a special respiratory movement, which consists of deep inspiration with the mouth open, yawning, and glottis open. Inspiration is accompanied by a characteristic sound produced by vibration of the vocal cords. Yawning is a physiological phenomenon, but it may also have significance as a pathological symptom. Thus, increased yawning may be a sign indicating compression of the medulla oblongata in cerebellar abscess, in cerebellar tumors, brain stem tumors, cerebellar-pontine angle tumors, etc. In these cases, it naturally appears in conjunction with other symptoms indicating compression of the medulla oblongata (focal symptoms and general ones). Furthermore, irresistible yawning may be observed during migraine attacks (E. Flatau). In some cases, yawning may be part of the epileptic aura. As yawning spasms (Gahnkrampf, oscedo, chasmus) are described deep inspiratory movements accompanied by loud noise, secretion of tears, and increased salivation. They are observed in neuropathies and organic diseases of the central nervous system (in apoplectic strokes, in epileptic aura, in epidemic encephalitis, as well as in tumors and abscesses of the cerebellum).