The term "hypotonia" refers to:

Hypotonia refers to a condition characterized by low muscle tone, which means that the muscles are less firm than usual and may appear flabby or weak. This condition can impact a person's ability to maintain posture and perform movements effectively. Individuals with hypotonia might struggle with motor skills, leading to challenges in activities like walking or even fine motor skills such as writing.

In contrast, high muscle tone would indicate increased tightness or tension in the muscles, which is the opposite of hypotonia. Normal muscle tone means that the muscles are in a balanced state, allowing for fluid movement without excessive resistance or weakness. Increased reflexes are typically associated with conditions that affect the nervous system and do not pertain to muscle tone directly. Thus, the correct identification of hypotonia as low muscle tone is paramount for understanding its implications in medical assessments and interventions.