Canadian Medical Guide > Diseases > Nervous System Diseases > Neurologic Manifestations > Dyskinesias > Ataxia Terms and Definitions




Ataxia

Medical Definition: Impairment of the ability to perform smoothly coordinated voluntary movements. This condition may affect the limbs, trunk, eyes, pharynx, larynx, and other structures. Ataxia may result from impaired sensory or motor function. Sensory ataxia may result from posterior column injury or PERIPHERAL NERVE DISEASES. Motor ataxia may be associated with CEREBELLAR DISEASES; CEREBRAL CORTEX diseases; THALAMIC DISEASES; BASAL GANGLIA DISEASES; injury to the RED NUCLEUS; and other conditions.
Guide Notes: note specifics; coord other ataxias with organ/diseases term; enzootic = SWAYBACK; familial: consider also SPINOCEREBELLAR DEGENERATIONS
Also Called: Ataxia, Appendicular,Ataxia, Motor,Ataxia, Sensory,Ataxia, Truncal,Dyscoordination,Tremor, Rubral
Ataxia Categories.
Canadian Medical Guide Definition Cerebellar Ataxia - Incoordination of voluntary movements that occur as a manifestation of CEREBELLAR DISEASES. Characteristic features include a tendency for limb movements to overshoot or undershoot a target (dysmetria), a tremor that occurs during attempted movements (intention TREMOR), impaired force and rhythm of rapidly alternating movements (adiadochokinesis), and GAIT ATAXIA. (From Adams et al., Principles of Neurology, 6th ed, p90)

Ataxia Medical Definitions and Terms

CANADIAN MEDICAL GUIDE

Thank you for visiting Canadian Medical Guide .com





Wildlife On Video »

Canadian Medical Guide Canada's Great Outdoors
Tour Canadian Rockies »
Book Banff »
Book Jasper »
Maligne Lake Boat Cruise »
Gondola Banff »
Hike Jasper »
Jasper Columbia Icefield »