Exam 4 Flashcards
UMN tract for cranial nerves
corticobrainstem tracts
UMN tracts that don’t guide movement. Partially depolarize LMN to enable quick action
nonspecific activating tracts
partial loss of muscle strength
paresis
complete loss of muscle strength
paralysis (-plegia)
which motor neurons will have more severe atrophy if damaged
lower motor neurons
the atrophy of denervation is associated with which motor neurons
LMN
short-lived involuntary contraction of muscle tissue often due to metabolic or muscular issues
muscle spasm
a prolonged contraction of muscle tissue often due to metabolic or muscular issues
muscle cramp
involuntary contractions of entire motor units. Generally indicate irritation of motor neuron. Can be benign or pathologic
fasciculations
involuntary contraction of multiple muscles (limb or whole body) that typically occurs between sleep and wake state. No proximate cause
myoclonus
generally indicative of neural damage
can be resting or intention: suggestive of pathology in the cerebellum
tremors
very important diagnostic finding that cannot be observed. The spontaneous contraction of 1 muscle fiber that has lost its nerve. Indicates denervation (muscle fiber has lost it’s nerve)
fibrillations
type of hypertonia where if a muscle is moved slowly, there is no hypertonia. When a muscle is quickly stretched, the muscle overreacts.
velocity dependent
type of hypertonia where speed doesn’t matter, there is always high tone
velocity independent
posturing due to too much activity from the brainstem UMN. Involuntary continuous contraction of extensor muscles in UE and LE
decerebrate
posturing where connection from cortex to brainstem has been severed. Pattern is involuntary hypertonia in flexion of arms and extension of legs.
decorticate
potential sources of damage to LMN
Trauma (sharp or blunt) Infection (e.g., polio) Degenerative disorders (e.g., ALS) Vascular disorders Tumors
a tremor at rest suggests what pathology
Parkinson’s Disease
an intention tremor is suggestive of pathology of the _____
cerebellum
Signs and symptoms of LMN disorder
Loss of reflexes
Atrophy (more likely atrophy of denervation)
Flaccid paralysis: low tone inability to move
Fibrillations
potential sources of damage to UMN
Spinal cord injury Cerebral palsy Multiple sclerosis Degeneration (e.g., Parkinson’s Disease) Trauma Loss of blood supply (e.g., Stroke)
Signs and symptoms of UMN disorder
paresis paralysis loss of "fractionated" movement abnormal cutaneous reflexes (babinski response...limb withdrawal) muscle stretch hyperreflexia clonus clasp-knife response
what does the process of collateral sprouting create
giant motor unit (one axon innervates more muscle fibers than normal)
if a person had a stroke that only damaged the cortex, they would have ___
paresis
Exaggerated reflex response when descending inhibition is missing or much reduced or when UMN is damaged
muscle stretch hyperreflexia
2 ways to help muscle stretch hyperreflexia
don’t stretch quickly and use pharmacology to turn down LMN (act like GABA)
how do you elicit clonus
quick stretch
Rhythmic, repeating (usually involuntary) contraction
A series of hyperreflexia responses when there is a continuing stimulus of stretch
clonus
how to prevent clonus
Pharmacology
Position ankles in extreme dorsiflexion
Lift leg and set it back down slowly
Lean on that leg