Wry neck can also be referred to as torticollis or twisted neck. Torticollis is derived from the Latin words tortus, meaning twisted, and collum, meaning neck. Other synonyms for wry neck include cervical dystonia, spasmodic torticollis, and acute torticollis. Cervical dystonia is a neurological disorder that causes the neck muscles to contract involuntarily, resulting in painful head and neck movements. Spasmodic torticollis often begins in adulthood and causes the head to tilt to one side. Acute torticollis is a sudden onset of neck pain and stiffness, often accompanied by muscle spasms. Regardless of the synonym used, wry neck or torticollis can be a painful and disruptive condition that requires medical treatment.