Week 3 UMN vs LMN Flashcards
Location for UMN
central nervous system cortex, brain stem, corticospinal tracts, spinal cord
UMN dx/pathology
stroke, TBI, SCI
UMN tone
increased; hypertonia
velocity dependent
UMN reflexes
increased: hyperreflexia,
clonus
exaggerated cutaneous and autonomic reflexes + babinski
UMN involuntary movements
muscle spasms: flexor or extensor
UMN strength
weakness or paralysis: ipsilateral (stroke) or bilateral (SCI)
Corticospinal: contralateral if above decussation in medulla; ipsilateral if below
Distribution: never focal
UMN muscle bulk
disuse atrophy: variable widespread distribution, especially of antigravity muscles
UMN voluntary movements
impaired or absent: dyssynergic patterns, obligatory mass synergies
LMN location of lesion and structures involved
cranial nerve neclei/nerves
spinal cord: anterior horn cell, spinal roots
peripheral nerve
LMN diagnosis/ pathology
polio, Guillain-barre
Peripheral nerve injury
peripheral neuropathy
radiculopathy
LMN tone
decreased or absent: hypotonia, flaccidity
not velocity dependent
LMN reflexes
decreased or absent: hyporeflexia
cutaneous reflexes decreased or absent
LMN involuntary movements
with denervation: fasciculations
LMN strength
ipsilateral weakness or paralysis
limited distribution: segmental or focal pattern, root-innervated pattern
LMN muscle bulk
neurogenic atrophy: rapid, focal distribution, severe wasting
LMN voluntary movements
weak or absent if nerve interrupted
Lesion of cerebral cortex/corticospinal sensation
impaired or absent: depends on lesion location; contralateral sensory loss
Lesion of cerebral cortex/corticospinal tracts diagnosis/patho
stroke
Lesion of cerebral cortex/corticospinal tone
hypertonia/spasticity velocity-dependent; clasp-knife
Initial flaccidity: cerebral shock
Lesion of cerebral cortex/corticospinal reflexes
hyperreflexia
Lesion of cerebral cortex/corticospinal strength
contralateral weakness or paralysis: hemiplegia or hemiparesis
Disuse weakness in chronic stage
Lesion of cerebral cortex/corticospinal muscle bulk
normal during acute stage; disuse atrophy in chronic stage