Motor Neuron Lesions

Question 1

List the 3 signs of cerebellar lesions?

Answer 1

1. Ataxia
2. Dysmetria
3. Resting tremor

Question 2

List the 4 signs of upper motor neuron lesions?

Answer 2

1. Circumducting gait
2. Hemiparesis
3. Increased muscle tone
4. Hoffman’s and Babinski’s signs

Question 3

What is a circumducting gait?

Answer 3

Outward swing of the leg when the patient is unable to bend their leg

Question 4

What is hemiparesis?

Answer 4

Paralysis or weakness to one side of the body, the muscles can also show spasticity

Question 5

How does increased muscle tone and enhanced reflexes occur in upper motor neuron lesions?

Answer 5

increased activation of alpha and gamma-motoneurons caused by an increase in the activity of brainstem motor systems which are no longer inhibited by collaterals of the corticospinal pathway