spastic dysarthria (rigid dysarthria)

Etiology

• pseudobulbar palsy
  • stroke(s) involving the both corticobulbar tracts

Epidemiology

more common than lower motor neuron dysarthria

Clinical manifestations

• no atrophy or fasciculations of the tongue, pharyngeal, laryngeal or facial muscles
• exagerated jaw jerk & other facial reflexes develops
• palatal reflexes normal to increased
• emotional lability (pseudobulbar palsy)
• Cheyne-Stokes respirations may occur

More general terms

• dysarthria