bulbar paralysis (palsy)

Etiology

• diphtheria
• poliomyelitis
• botulism
• progressive bulbar palsy

Pathology

• degeneration of motor neurons in the brainstem & spinal cord
• especially affects motor nuclei of cranial nerve 5, cranial nerve 7, cranial nerve 9, cranial nerve 10, cranial nerve 11, & cranial nerve 12

Clinical manifestations

• muscle weakness
  • facial muscles & jaw muscles
  • sternocleidomastoid
  • upper part of the trapezius
  • muscles of the tongue, pharynx & larynx
• atrophy of involved muscles
  • atrophy may not be seen if weakness develops rapidly
• fasciculations

Differential diagnosis

• pseudobulbar palsy

More general terms

• syndrome

Additional terms

• corticobulbar tract
• pseudobulbar palsy (spastic bulbar palsy, supranuclear palsy)