What type of seizure is characterized by muscular contraction of all voluntary muscles?

The type of seizure characterized by muscular contraction of all voluntary muscles is generalized seizures. Generalized seizures affect the entire brain from the onset and can present with different manifestations, one of which is the tonic-clonic seizure (formerly known as grand mal). During a tonic-clonic seizure, a person experiences stiffening of the muscles (tonic phase), followed by rhythmic jerking (clonic phase) of the body.

Understanding the nature of generalized seizures is crucial, as they can involve loss of consciousness and are distinct from other seizure types. For instance, Jacksonian seizures are localized and may start in one area of the body and can lead to a secondary generalization, but they do not typically involve the muscular contraction of all voluntary muscles simultaneously. Petit mal seizures, also known as absence seizures, are brief and usually do not involve muscle contractions at all. Postictal refers to the state following a seizure, typically involving confusion and fatigue as the body recovers, and does not describe the seizure itself.