a tortuous and twisted shape or position
"they built a tree house in the tortuosities of its boughs"
"the acrobat performed incredible contortions"
The act of turning or twisting, or the state of being twisted; the twisting or wrenching of a body by the exertion of a lateral force tending to turn one end or part of it about a longitudinal axis, while the other is held fast or turned in the opposite direction.
"The doctor warned that excessive torsion on his knee during the tackle could cause a serious ligament tear."