Injuries to the motor pathways result in paralysis.

The extent of the paralysis depends on the type and location of injury. Damage to the motor neurons in the frontal cortex or their tracts result in upper motor neuron syndrome. For example, if the left lateral corticospinal tract is damaged at the second cervical vertebra, control of the left upper and lower limbs is lost. Upper motor neuron syndrome is characterized by spastic paralysis where little atrophy of the muscle occurs. However, uncoordinated hyper reflex activities, where muscle tone is increased, cause spastic movements where flexors and extensors alternately contract. Injuries to the neurons or their fibers in the ventral horn of the cord result in a different type of paralysis. Problems of this sort result in lower motor syndrome. Lower motor neuron syndrome results in flaccid paralysis with loss of movement, tone and reflex activity. The muscle becomes atrophied and flaccid. Atrophy is the partial or complete wasting away of a part of the body. Faccid not firm or stiff, lacking vigor or force, lacking firmness; soft and limp; flabby Spastic A sudden, involuntary contraction of a muscle or group of muscles. A sudden
burst of energy, activity, or emotion.