Steve has had a stroke and comes to you for follow-up today. On examination you find that he has increased muscle tone, some involuntary movements, an abnormal gait, and a slowness of response in movements. He most likely has involvement of which of the following?

A) The corticospinal tract
B) The cerebellum
C) The cerebrum
D) The basal ganglia

D) The basal ganglia

Explanation:

Basal ganglia is located at the base of forebrain and the top of midbrain. It is involved in many functions because it is connected to many parts of the brain like thalamus and cerebral cortex. One of the functions of basal ganglia is to control the voluntary movements of the skeletal muscles.

Damage to basal ganglia can disturb the muscles causing involuntary movements, abnormal gait and increased muscle tone. For example, muscle tone is the tension in skeletal muscles caused due to minor involuntary contractions. Substantia nigra part of basal ganglia is responsible for controlling it. If it is damaged, muscle tone can increase which will cause unnecessary tension in skeletal muscles leading to uncontrolled movements.

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