What type of seizure involves muscle contraction and relaxation in a rhythmic pattern?

A clonic seizure is characterized by rhythmic muscle contractions and relaxations, which typically manifest as repetitive jerking movements. During this type of seizure, the patient may experience a series of muscle contractions that are often symmetrical and can involve various muscle groups. This rhythmic pattern is distinctive, differentiating clonic seizures from other types.

In contrast, a tonic seizure primarily involves sustained muscle contraction without the rhythmic relaxation phase that characterizes clonic seizures. Absence seizures are brief lapses in consciousness without muscular movements, and myoclonic seizures consist of sudden, brief, shock-like jerks of muscle groups, which may not involve the rhythmic contraction seen in clonic seizures. Therefore, the defining feature of rhythmic muscle contractions during a clonic seizure supports the identification of this seizure type correctly.