Neuro Terminology Flashcards
akinesia
inability to initiate movement; common in parkinsons
asthenia
generalized weakness, typically secondary to cerebellar pathology
ataxia
inability to perform coordinated movements
athetosis
a condition that presents with involuntary movements combined with instability of posture. peripheral movements occur without central stability
bradykinesia
movement that is very slow
chorea
movements that are sudden, random, and involuntary
clasp knife response
a form of resistance seen during range of motion of a hypotonic joint where there is greatest resistance at the initiation of range that lessens with movement through the range of motion
clonus
a characteristic of an upper motor neuron lesion, involuntary alternating spasmodic contraction of a muscle precipitated by a quick stretch reflex
cogwheel rigidity
a form of rigidity where resistance to movement has a phasic quality to it; often seen with parkinson’s disease
dysdiadochokinesia
inability to perform rapidly alternating movments
dsmetria
inability to control the range of a movement and the force of muscular activity
dystonia
closely related to athetosis, however there is larger axial muscle involvement rather than appendicular muscles
fasciculation
muscular twitch that is caused by random discharge of a lower motor neuron and its muscle fibers, suggests lower motor neuron disease but can be benign
hemiballism
an involuntary and violent movement of a large body part
kinesthesia
ability to perceive the direction and extent of movement of a joint or body part
lead pipe rigidity
a form of rigidity where there is uniform and constant resistance to range of motion; often associated with lesions of the basal ganglia
rigidity
a state of severe hypertonicity where a sustained muscle contraction does not allow for any movement at a specified joint
tremor
involuntary, rhythmic, oscillatory movements secondary to a basal ganglia lesion
there are various classifications secondary to specific etiology