HOSA Dental Terminology Practice

What is ataxia characterized by?

1. Decreased muscle strength

2. Muscular incoordination

3. Increased reflexes

4. Loss of muscle mass

The correct answer is: Muscular incoordination

Ataxia is primarily characterized by muscular incoordination, which refers to the inability to coordinate voluntary muscle movements. This condition can affect various movements, such as walking, hand-eye coordination, and even speech, leading to an unsteady gait or difficulty in performing tasks that require fine motor skills. Muscular incoordination occurs due to disruptions in the pathways that coordinate movements, often affecting the cerebellum or its connections. This results in a lack of control over muscle timing and force, making movements jerky or erratic, instead of smooth and purposeful. While decreased muscle strength, increased reflexes, and loss of muscle mass can also impact a person's motor function, they do not directly define ataxia. Instead, these factors might be seen in other conditions but do not capture the hallmark symptom of incoordination that specifically defines ataxia.