1. Having a greater degree of tension. SYN: spastic (1). 2. Having a greater osmotic pressure than a reference solution, which is ordinarily assumed to be blood plasma or interstitial fluid; more specifically, refers to a fluid in which cells shrink. SYN: hyperisotonic.
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hy·per·ton·ic -'tän-ik adj
1) exhibiting excessive tone or tension <a \hypertonic baby> <a \hypertonic bladder>
2) having a higher osmotic pressure than a surrounding medium or a fluid under comparison <animals that produce urine which is \hypertonic to their blood> compare HYPOTONIC (2), isotonic (1)
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adj.
2. describing muscles that demonstrate an abnormal increase in tonicity.
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hy·per·ton·ic (hi″pər-tonґik) 1. denoting a solution which when bathing body cells causes a net flow of water across the semipermeable cell membrane out of the cell. 2. denoting a solution having a greater tonicity than another solution, e.g., the blood, with which it is compared. 3. exhibiting hypertonia.Medical dictionary. 2011.