Muscle tone refers to the continuous and passive partial contraction of the muscles, which helps maintain posture and readiness for movement. It is a state of slight tension in the muscles, allowing them to respond quickly when needed. Muscle tone is influenced by the nervous system and can vary from person to person. There are two main types of muscle tone: hypertonia, which is increased muscle tone leading to stiffness, and hypotonia, which is decreased muscle tone resulting in floppiness. Maintaining healthy muscle tone is important for overall physical function and can be affected by factors such as exercise, nutrition, and neurological conditions.