Significance of Assessing Sensory and Motor Functions

Question 1

Why Assess Sensory and Motor Functions?

Answer 1

• These functions provide information about the integrity of peripheral nerves, spinal cord, brainstem, cerebellum, and cerebral cortex.
• Changes in sensory and motor abilities can signal neurological conditions like peripheral neuropathy, strokes, or spinal cord injuries.

Question 2

• Sensory Deficits:

Answer 2

o Peripheral neuropathy: Numbness or tingling in “glove-and-stocking” distribution, common in diabetes or alcoholism.
o Spinal cord injury: Loss of sensation below the level of injury (e.g., Brown-Séquard syndrome).
o Cortical lesions: Impairments in stereognosis, graphesthesia, or two-point discrimination.

Question 3

• Motor Deficits:

Answer 3

o Upper motor neuron lesions: Spasticity, hyperreflexia, and clonus (e.g., stroke, cerebral palsy).
o Lower motor neuron lesions: Muscle atrophy, fasciculations, and flaccidity (e.g., poliomyelitis, ALS).
o Cerebellar dysfunction: Ataxia, poor coordination, and intention tremors.