Clinical 2: reflexes and muscle tone

Question 1

Phasic vs tonic stretch reflex?

Answer 1

• phasic muscle stretch reflex (brisk and brief, tendon jerk) • tonic muscle stretch reflex (passive bending)

Question 2

Tendon jerk characteristics

Answer 2

• involuntary • stereotyped (repeatable) • non-fatiguing • response determined by stimulus strength

Question 3

What are the grading of Reflexes

Answer 3

Question 4

Tone

Answer 4

• resistance of a muscle to passing lengthening
• components: muscle elasticity, neural (tonic or stretch reflex)

In diseased states

• not smooth
• “spastic catches”
• rigidity
• clonus (repeated contractions after passive movement)

Question 5

Hemiparesis

Answer 5

unilateral weakness in face, arm, leg

Question 6

Paraparesis

Answer 6

weakness of both lower limbs

Question 7

Pyramidal (UMN) weakness

Answer 7

• of upper limbs = flexors (may be weaker) stronger than extensors
• of lower limbs = extensors (may be weaker) stronger than flexors
• characteristic posture and gait
• upper limb held flexed
• lower limb extended so person walks with stiff leg (foot may scrape floor)

Question 8

Broca’s dysphasia

Answer 8

• expressive/non-fluent
• understands all speech
• hemiparesis on right side
• often cannot write