What is identified as the root physical anomaly in Congenital Muscular Torticollis (CMT)?
Answer
Tissue restriction, specifically in the muscle.
While torticollis can stem from various causes, the root physical anomaly specifically defining Congenital Muscular Torticollis (CMT) lies in the soft tissues of the neck. The condition originates from the shortening or tightening of the sternocleidomastoid muscle (SCM). This tissue restriction is the primary physical difference causing the limitation of movement and the resulting head tilt. Although skeletal issues (abnormal cervical vertebrae) can cause similar external head tilts, in CMT, the muscle itself is the locus of the initial physical impairment.
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