This document outlines the differences between upper motor neuron (UMN) and lower motor neuron (LMN) lesions. UMN lesions are above the anterior horn cell and cause increased muscle tone, weakness following a pyramidal pattern, increased reflexes, and upgoing plantar responses. LMN lesions are in or below the anterior horn cell and cause decreased muscle tone, weakness and wasting, absent reflexes, and fasciculations. Examples of UMN lesions include strokes and tumors, while examples of LMN lesions include motor neuron disease, neuropathy, and polio.
This document outlines the differences between upper motor neuron (UMN) and lower motor neuron (LMN) lesions. UMN lesions are above the anterior horn cell and cause increased muscle tone, weakness following a pyramidal pattern, increased reflexes, and upgoing plantar responses. LMN lesions are in or below the anterior horn cell and cause decreased muscle tone, weakness and wasting, absent reflexes, and fasciculations. Examples of UMN lesions include strokes and tumors, while examples of LMN lesions include motor neuron disease, neuropathy, and polio.
This document outlines the differences between upper motor neuron (UMN) and lower motor neuron (LMN) lesions. UMN lesions are above the anterior horn cell and cause increased muscle tone, weakness following a pyramidal pattern, increased reflexes, and upgoing plantar responses. LMN lesions are in or below the anterior horn cell and cause decreased muscle tone, weakness and wasting, absent reflexes, and fasciculations. Examples of UMN lesions include strokes and tumors, while examples of LMN lesions include motor neuron disease, neuropathy, and polio.
• Indicate that the lesion is above the anterior horn cell (i.e. spinal cord, brain stem, motor cortex). • Are characterised by increased muscle tone (spasticity), weakness (generally flexors weaker than extensors in the legs and the reverse in the arms - pyramidal pattern of weakness), increased reflexes, an up-going plantar response and sustained clonus (a few beats is normal). • LOWER MOTOR NEURONE SIGNS • Indicate that the lesion is either in the anterior horn cell or distal to the anterior horn cell (i.e. anterior horn cell, root, plexus, peripheral nerve). • Characterised by decreased muscle tone, weakness and wasting (atrophy) in the muscle(s) supplied by that motor nerve, arreflexia (absence of the relevant reflex - the motor nerve is the efferent arm of the reflex arc), muscle fasciculations. Facial Nerve Lesion • Upper motor neuron lesion • Contralateral lower quadrant weakness • Angle of the mouth • Opposite side • Lower motor neuron lesion • Ipsilateral orbicularis oculi muscle and facial muscles involved • Half of face • unable to close eyes • weakness of angle of the mouth • cannot elevate eyebrows • Same side • Examples of UMN: - Cerebrovascular accident • Stroke is the most common - Intracranial tumour - Cervical spine injury - Cerebral Palsy • Examples of LMN: - Motor neuron disease - Peripheral nerve neuropathy - Poliomyelitis anterior horn cell affected - Spinal cord injury with nerve root compression - Guillain-Barré syndrome - C. botulism - Cauda equina syndrome