Key concepts: Motor neurons

Question 1

conditions

Answer 1

stroke
trauma
amyotrophic lateral sclerosis/ motor neuron disease

Question 2

what is a motor neuron

Answer 2

neuron carrying information form the brain to the spinal cord and involved in regulating activities in muscles or glands

Question 3

2 types of motor neuron

Answer 3

upper and lower

Question 4

upper motor neurons

Answer 4

originate in many areas in the brain and the brainstem
carry information about desired movements/ other responses in descending tracts (corticobulbar/ corticospinal)
descend to various levels of the brain and spinal cord to connect with lower motor neurons

Question 5

lower motor neurons

Answer 5

influence the activity of muscles/ glands
3 broad categories: somatic, special visceral and general visceral

Question 6

somatic motor neurons, lower

Answer 6

to skeletal muscle to control muscle movement and tone
alpha, beta and gamma

Question 7

special visceral motor neurons, lower

Answer 7

another name is brachial
muscles in the head and neck

Question 8

general visceral motor neurons, lower

Answer 8

autonomic nervous system

Question 9

symptoms of upper motor neuron damage

Answer 9

weakeness/paralysis
spasticity
hypertonia
hyperreflexia
positive babinski sign

Question 10

babinski sign

Answer 10

when stroke bottom of foot toes should curl
instead the big toe will go up and others fan out if positive

Question 11

symptoms of lower motor neuron syndrome

Answer 11

weakness/paralysis
hypotonia/atonia
hyporeflexia/areflexia
fasciculations
muscle atrophy

Question 12

fasciculations

Answer 12

involuntary muscle twitching