Unit 3: Overview Of Motor Control/Motor Disturbances Pg. 117 - 120 Flashcards
α motor neurons innervate
Extrafusal muscle fibers
γ motor neurons innervate
Intrafusal muscle fibers in NM spindles
Supranuclear motor control area of brain and brainstem comprised of
UMNs and pathways → influence LMNs (gamma reflex loop)
The cerebellum and basal ganglia (accessory motor control areas) function by
Influencing other supranuclear motor control areas and UMNs in those areas
Disturbances of motor control can be from these general categories
- cerebellar disturbances
- basal ganglia disturbances
- ‘pure lesion’ of pyramidal system
De-afferent
To cut sensory fibers
Interruption of sensory innervation of skeletal muscle (de-afferent) results in
- No paralysis of muscle
- Hypotonia
- Hyporeflexia (loss of DTR)
Note: about hyporeflexia. When there is no sensory innervation, there is no sensory innervation, and no deep tendon reflex (DTR)
What starts deep tendon reflex (DTR)?
Sensory information
Lower motor neuron lesion may be caused by
- Poliomyelitus (virus destroys LMNs in spinal cord ventral horn or brainstem motor nuclei)
- Peripheral nerve injuries
Lower motor neuron lesion results may
- decrease/loss in muscle tone
- paralysis or paresis of affected skeletal muscles
- weak or absent DTR
- muscle atrophy
Upper motor neuron lesion may be caused by
Lesion in CNS that interrupts many descending motor control pathways that exert control on LMNs
Unilateral UMN lesion above pyramids would result in typical signs _____ to the lesion
Contralateral
Unilateral spinal cord UMN lesion below the pyramids would disrupt motor control ____ to lesion
Ipsilateral
Initially during a period of spinal shock after an UMN lesion, what are the transient signs?
- Flaccid paralysis or paresis
- Hypotonia
- Hyporeflexia
Eventually after a period of several weeks after an UMN lesion, what are the “permanent” signs?
- Voluntary movements are weak (paresis) or absent (paralysis)
- Tone of muscles is increased beyond normal = hypertonia