Lower Motor Neuroin Paralysis

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Lower Motor Neuron Paralysis

Lower motor neuron paralysis is a type of paralysis (loss of

movement and/or sensation) that is due to injury or damage in the

brain or spinal cord. This injury or damage in the brain or spinal

cord causes damage to the cell body (the main part of the cell)

and/or axons (the part of a nerve that sends a message) of the

lower motor neuron. A lower motor neuron is the part of a motor

neuron (a type of nerve cell) sends messages via upper motor

neurons to the skeletal muscles. Upper motor neurons are

neurons (nerve cells) in the motor cortex (an area of the brain

located in middle, top part of the brain) that form pathways within

the brain and from the brain to the spine. Skeletal muscles are

muscles that are connected at either or both arms or legs with the

skelton of the body.

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In lower motor neuron paralysis, wasting away of muscles occur. The muscle wasting is

severe, with affected individuals losing 70 to 80% of their body bulk. Low muscle tone

(tension) and weakness is present in affected muscles. Muscles with low tension usually

appear flabby. There is also loss of deep tendon reflexes, which is when the muscle

contracts (shortens) in response to a stretched muscle that caused by a sharp tap. In

lower motor neuron paralysis, pathological (abnormal) reflexes are also absent. The loss

of reflexes occurs because the reflex arcs (paths followed by nerve impulses) are

damaged forever. In lower motor neuron paralysis, nerve impulses travel abnormally and

muscle twitching is present.

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If the spinal cord is totally cut, all voluntary muscle control is lost. If the spinal cord is partially cut, muscle

function will vary, depending on which particular nerves are still entering which particular areas. Compare

lower motor neuron paralysis with upper motor neuron paralysis, a type of disorder that causes loss of

movement and sensation due to injury or damage to upper motor neurons.