Which type of dysarthria is characterized by weakness?

• A. Spastic
• B. Flaccid
• C. Ataxic
• D. Mixed

Answer: (B)

The type of dysarthria that is characterized by weakness is flaccid dysarthria. This type occurs as a result of lower motor neuron damage, which leads to muscle weakness and reduced tone in the speech muscles. When the motor neurons that innervate the muscles of speech become damaged, it results in a lack of muscular strength and increased difficulty in articulating speech sounds. Individuals with flaccid dysarthria may also exhibit breathiness, a nasal quality in their speech, and reduced phonation time due to the weakness of the muscles involved in vocalization.

In contrast, spastic dysarthria is characterized by increased muscle tone and spasticity due to upper motor neuron damage, which can lead to stiffness and tightness in the articulatory muscles. Ataxic dysarthria is associated with coordination issues, resulting in a lack of precision and timing in speech production, and is typically linked to damage in the cerebellum. Mixed dysarthria refers to a combination of features from different types of dysarthria and can occur in conditions that affect both upper and lower motor neurons, but it does not singularly focus on weakness as its defining characteristic.