FAU Advanced Health Assessment Practice Test

Which system is likely damaged if a patient exhibits changes in muscle tone, disturbances in posture, and various involuntary movements?

1. Cerebellar system

2. Basal ganglia

3. Motor cortex

4. Spinal cord

The correct answer is: Basal ganglia

The basal ganglia is a group of nuclei in the brain that play a crucial role in coordinating movement and maintaining postural stability. When the basal ganglia are damaged or dysfunctional, it can lead to a variety of movement disorders characterized by changes in muscle tone, such as rigidity or bradykinesia, disturbances in posture, and involuntary movements like tremors or chorea. This dysfunction can disrupt the smooth, controlled movement that is necessary for normal function and can lead to symptoms often seen in conditions like Parkinson's disease or Huntington's disease. In contrast, while the cerebellar system is also involved in movement coordination and balance, it primarily affects voluntary fine motor skills and does not typically result in the same type of involuntary movements associated with basal ganglia disorders. The motor cortex is responsible for the initiation of voluntary movement, and damage here would more likely lead to weakness or paralysis rather than the involuntary movements noted. The spinal cord plays a crucial role in transmitting signals between the brain and the body, and while it can lead to muscle tone changes if damaged, it does not specifically account for the involuntary movements or postural disturbances that arise from basal ganglia dysfunction.