upper motor neuron lesion


up·per mo·tor neu·ron le·sion

injury to the descending motor pathways cephalad to the brainstem or spinal motor nuclei. Synonym(s): supranuclear lesion

upper motor neuron lesion

Neurological damage to the corticospinal or pyramidal tract in the brain or spinal cord. This lesion results in hemiplegia, paraplegia, or quadriplegia, depending on its location and extent. Clinical signs include loss of voluntary movement, spasticity, sensory loss, and pathological reflexes. See also: lesion