Motor pathways guided study

Question 1

what is ataxia

Answer 1

lack of voluntary control of muscle movements

Question 2

what is dysmetria

Answer 2

cannot judge distances (finger nose test)

cerebellar damage

Question 3

what is decerebrate rigidity

Answer 3

Decerebrate posture is an abnormal body posture that involves the arms and legs being held straight out, the toes being pointed downward, and the head and neck being arched backward. The muscles are tightened and held rigidly. This type of posturing usually means there has been severe damage to the brain.

caused by damage to the brainstem

2 in glasgow coma scale

Question 4

what is decorticate rigidity

Answer 4

damage above the brainstem

‘mummy baby’
arms and hands are clenched

3 in glasgow coma scale

Question 5

what can be a cause of increased stretch reflexes

Answer 5

activation of alpha and gamma motor neurons
caused by an increase in activity of brainstem motor systems- vestibular nuclei and pontine reticular formation which are no longer inhibited by collateralsof the corticospinal pathway

Question 6

what type of signs are hoffmans and babinski

Answer 6

positive upper motor neurone signs

normally absent but become apparent after damage to the corticospinal pathway

Question 7

what is hoffmans sign

Answer 7

flick the dip joint of the middle finger

thumb and forefinger flex