Question

If a patient were to have a stroke on the right side of the motor cortex, which area of the body would be affected and what would be the resulting symptoms?

A) Right side of the body, lower motor neuron signs
B) Right side of the body, upper motor neuron signs
C) Left side of the body, upper motor neuron signs
D) Left side of the body, lower motor neuron signs
E) None of the above

Answer 1

A stroke in the right motor cortex would affect the left side of the body and result in upper motor neuron signs, such as muscle weakness and spasticity.

Step-by-step explanation:

If a patient were to have a stroke on the right side of the motor cortex, the area of the body that would be affected is the left side of the body. The resulting symptoms would be characteristic of upper motor neuron signs (UMN signs). These might include muscle weakness, strong deep tendon reflexes, spasticity, and a positive Babinski sign, among others. This is because the motor cortex in each hemisphere of the brain generally controls movements on the opposite side of the body. The correct answer to the question of which area of the body would be affected and what would be the resulting symptoms if a patient were to have a stroke on the right side of the motor cortex is C) Left side of the body, upper motor neuron signs.