Week 4: Motor System Upper and Lower Motor Neurons

Question 1

Primary Motor Cortex

Answer 1

Mainly responsible for motor control and execution
- Receives input from prefrontal cortex, basal ganglia, cerebellum, and other motor planning regions
- Relays information to corticospinal tract

Question 2

Somatotopic organization of primary motor cortex

Answer 2

Body, limbs, face, layout across the brain

Question 3

Spinal reflexes

Answer 3

Stretch Reflex and withdrawal reflex

Question 4

Upper Motor Neurons

Answer 4

The nerves in the CNS which carry the impulses for movement are known as upper motor neurons (UMN). Lateral corticospinal tract is the primary tract for distal skilled UE motion, particularly fine motor.

Question 5

Lower Motor Neurons

Answer 5

all the neurons that send motor axons outside the neuraxis into the peripheral nerves. Medial Spinal Motor tracts target lower motor neurons.

Question 6

Tremors (Essential vs. Intentional)

Answer 6

Intentional: When intentionally moving
Essential: Without accompanying movement

Question 7

Hypotonicity

Answer 7

Decreased muscle tone

Question 8

Hypertonicity

Answer 8

A condition in which there is too much muscle tone

Question 9

Hypo reflexive

Answer 9

Decreased or absent reflexive response

Question 10

Hyper reflexive

Answer 10

Overactive or overresponsive reflex

Question 11

Flaccid

Answer 11

Muscle becomes soft and yields to passive sretching

Question 12

Rigidity

Answer 12

another type of hypertonia in which the muscles have the same amount of stiffness separate from the degree of movement.

Question 13

Spasticity

Answer 13

Spasticity is a condition in which there is an abnormal increase in muscle tone or stiffness of muscle, which might interfere with movement, speech, or be associated with discomfort or pain. Spasticity is usually caused by damage to nerve pathways within the brain or spinal cord that control muscle movement.

Question 14

Dystonia

Answer 14

Dystonia is a movement disorder that causes the muscles to contract involuntarily. This can cause repetitive or twisting movements.

Question 15

Atrophy

Answer 15

Muscular atrophy is the decrease in size and wasting of muscle tissue.

Question 16

Contracture

Answer 16

a condition of shortening and hardening of muscles, tendons, or other tissue, often leading to deformity and rigidity of joints.

Question 17

Sublaxation

Answer 17

s an incomplete or partial dislocation of a joint or organ.

Question 18

PPS is a disorder of the nerves and muscles. It may cause muscle weakness. Which of the following best described PPS.

Answer 18

Lower Motor Neuron disorder

Question 19

Below is a picture of a leg with someone who has PPS. Which term best describes the person’s leg. **Muscle loss on right side mostly fat.

Answer 19

Atrophy

Question 20

Deep tendon reflex testing of a person with post polio syndrome is most likely to reveal which of the following.

Answer 20

Hyporeflexive

Question 21

Below is a picture of a girl with post polio syndrome **Knee stuck in bent position

Answer 21

Contracture

Question 22

People with PPS often use mobility devices. This is because in their legs they have

Answer 22

Hypotonia

Question 23

If you wanted to assess the amount of spasticity in someone’s bicep, which direction would you gently pull them in.

Answer 23

Elbow extension

Question 24

What is the difference between muscle spasticity and muscle ridgidity

Answer 24

Muscle spasticity is velocity dependent, rigidity is not

Question 25

Which upper motor neuronal tract is responsible for most distal, skilled UE movement

Answer 25

Corticospinal tract

Question 26

What is reciprocal inhibition

Answer 26

Relaxation of one muscle by a muscle on the other side of the joint