Motor exam

Definition

A motor exam is a critical component of the neurological exam that assesses muscle strength, tone, coordination, and reflexes to determine the integrity of the motor system. It helps identify any abnormalities or dysfunctions in the motor pathways that could indicate neurological disorders.

Related terms

Muscle Strength: The force a muscle can produce with a single maximal effort, evaluated during a motor exam to detect weakness or paralysis.

Muscle Tone: The continuous and passive partial contraction of muscles or their resistance to passive stretching during resting state, assessed in a motor exam.

Reflexes: Involuntary responses to stimuli, tested during a motor exam to examine the integrity of the central and peripheral nervous systems