UMN v. LMN Pathologies Flashcards
T/F: Upper motor neurons end just prior to anterior horn cell.
TRUE
T/F: Lower motor neurons begin at the anterior horn cell.
TRUE
The following are characteristic of what type of motor neuron abnormality?
- Initial weakness
- Spasticity
- Decreased motor control
- Exaggerated deep tendon reflex
Upper motor neuron lesion
Is it UMN or LMN: Stroke/CVA?
UMN
What 5 UL positions are characteristic of flexion synergy pattern?
- shoulder gridle retraction and elevation
- shoulder abduction and external rotation
- forearm supination
- elbow flexion
- wrist and finger flexion
What 3 LL positions are characteristic of flexion synergy pattern?
- hip flexion, abduction, external rotation
- knee flexion
- ankle dorsiflexion and inversion
What 5 UL positions are characteristic of extension synergy pattern?
- shoulder gridle protraction and depression
- shoulder adduction and internal rotation
- elbow extension
- forearm pronation
- wrist and finger flexion
What 3 LL positions are characteristic of extension synergy pattern?
- hip extension, adduction, external rotation
- knee extension
- ankle plantarflexion and inversion
Is it UMN or LMN: multiple sclerosis?
UMN
An idiopathic chronic disease characterized by demyelination of nerves which leads to formation of plaques that interfere with signal transmission down the axon.
Multiple sclerosis
Is it UMN or LMN: traumatic brain injury?
UMN
A condition in which the brain cells suddenly die because of a lack of oxygen typically caused by an obstruction of the blood flow of the rupture of an artery that feeds the brain.
Stroke
Is it UMN or LMN: cerebral palsy?
UMN
Group of neurological disorders that appear in infancy or early childhood permanently affecting body movement, muscle coordination, and balance. Affects the part of the brain that controls muscle movements.
Cerebral palsy
The following are characteristics of what type of motor neuron lesion?
- flaccid muscles/decreased tone
- absent or decreased reflexes
- muscle atrophy
- muscle twitching, but NO clonus
Lower motor neuron
Is it UMN or LMN: Guillain-Barré syndrome?
LMN
Rare, rapidly progressive disorder that consists of inflammation of the nerves (polyneuritis), causing muscle weakness and sometimes progressing to complete paralysis. Damage to the myelin of nerve axons results in delayed nerve signal transmission.
Guillian-barre syndrome
What is the range of recovery time for Guillian-barre syndrome?
Months to 2 years
Is it UMN or LMN: poliomyelitis?
LMN
Disease caused by an enterovirus, which enters the body through the mouth and replicates in the throat and intestines. The virus spreads to the spinal cord and attacks the ANTERIOR HORN CELLS.
Poliomyelitis
A cluster of potential disabling signs and symptoms that appear decades (30-40 years) after the initial illness.
Post-polio syndrome
Is it UMN or LMN: Charcot-Marie-Tooth?
LMN
An inherited disorder of progressive peripheral nerve dysfunction, resulting in numbness and weakness. It’s caused by genetic mutations, which have similar clinical presentations.
Charcot-Marie-Tooth
Is it UMN or LMN: spinal cord injury?
BOTH, UMN and LMN
An acute injury of the spinal cord, which results in a varying degree of paralysis and/or sensor disorder.
Spinal cord injury
Is it UMN or LMN: amyotrophic lateral sclerosis?
BOTH, UMN and LMN
A degenerative disorder diffusely involving LMN and UMN, resulting and progressive muscle weakness, leading to respiratory failure and death.
Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis
Is it UMN or LMN: transverse myelitis?
BOTH, UMN and LMN
An inflammatory neurological condition, in which the spinal cord becomes inflammed. Inflammation causes demyelination of neurons, which can be lower or upper. An autoimmune component is also present, as the cells in the spinal cord start to attack themselves. Recovery is variable.
Transverse myelitis
Is it UMN or LMN: spina bifida?
BOTH, UMN and LMN
Mostly LMN, but can affect the brain
A birth defect where there is an incomplete closing of the backbone and membranes around the spinal cord.
Spina Bifida
