Lower Motor Neuron Lesion

A lower motor neuron lesion is a lesion which affects nerve fibers traveling from the anterior horn of the spinal cord to the relevant muscle(s) – the lower motor neuron.

One major characteristic used to identify a lower motor neuron lesion is flaccid paralysis – paralysis accompanied by muscle loss. This is in contrast to an upper motor neuron lesion, which often presents with spastic paralysis – paralysis accompanied by severe hypertonia.