What Is Bulbar Palsy

Typically patients with a bulbar palsy present with signs and symptoms of the cranial nerves affected as mentioned.

What is bulbar palsy.

There are 12 cranial nerves and about 5 of them are affected. Bulbar palsy or the progressive bulbar palsy is a condition wherein the motor neurons or the nerve cells responsible for movement are affected. These cranial nerves involves motor movement and these are cranial nerve v vii ix x xi. The former is a lower motor neuron lesion of the cranial nerves ix x xi and xii while the latter is an upper motor neuron lesion affecting ix x xi and xii cranial nerves.

There are differences between bulbar palsy and pseudobulbar palsy. Bulbar palsy refers to a range of different signs and symptoms linked to impairment of function of the cranial nerves ix x xi xii which occurs due to a lower motor neuron lesion in the medulla oblongata or from lesions of the lower cranial nerves outside the brainstem. Individuals suffering from progressive bulbar palsy may experience difficulty chewing. Non progressive bulbar palsy is an uncommon condition of uncertain aetiology and there are few reports of it in the literature.

Pseudobulbar palsy is an upper motor neuron palsy that affects the corticobulbar tracts of the v th vii th ix th x th xi th and xii th cranial nerves. Out of the 12 cranial nerves that are present 5 cranial nerves which control movement get affected in bulbar palsy. Bulbar palsy vs pseudobulbar palsy. Signs and symptoms of progressive bulbar palsy include difficulty swallowing weak jaw and facial muscles progressive loss of speech and weakening of the tongue.

Tongue weakness and. Bulbar palsy is sometimes also classified as non progressive or progressive. Bulbar palsy also known as progressive bulbar palsy is a pathological condition in which the nerve cells which are responsible for movement get affected. One of the subgroups of motor neuron disease.

Progressive bulbar palsy is a motor neuron disease mnd that damages the nerve cells in the brain stem that supply the bulbar muscles those that control talking swallowing and chewing other areas of the body may also be affected by this disease. A progressive degenerative disorder of the motor neurons of primarily the brainstem manifested as weakness and wasting of the various bulbar muscles resulting in dysarthria and dysphagia fluid regurgitation is an outstanding symptom and can cause aspiration. The brain stem is the part of the brain needed for swallowing speaking chewing and other functions.