Dysarthria

Definition

Dysarthria is a motor speech disorder resulting from neurological injury, leading to poor articulation of phonemes. It affects the muscles used for speaking, causing slurred or slow speech.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Dysarthria can result from conditions like Myasthenia Gravis and Multiple Sclerosis which affect neuromuscular function.
2. Patients with dysarthria may have difficulty with pronunciation, volume control, and speech rhythm due to muscle weakness.
3. Treatment for dysarthria often involves speech therapy to improve communication skills.
4. Medications used in treating underlying conditions like Parkinson's Disease may help alleviate some symptoms of dysarthria.
5. Assessment of dysarthria typically includes evaluating speech intelligibility, respiratory support for speech, and oral-motor function.

Review Questions

• What neurological conditions commonly lead to dysarthria?
• How does muscle weakness contribute to the symptoms of dysarthria?
• What are common treatment approaches for managing dysarthria?

Related terms

Myasthenia Gravis: An autoimmune disorder affecting neuromuscular junctions, leading to muscle weakness.

Multiple Sclerosis: A chronic disease involving the central nervous system where the immune system attacks the protective sheath covering nerve fibers.

Parkinson's Disease: A neurodegenerative disorder characterized by tremors, stiffness, and bradykinesia (slowness of movement).