How Do You Spell BULBAR PALSY?

Pronunciation: [bˈʌlbɑː pˈɔːlzi] (IPA)

Bulbar palsy, a clinical condition characterized by impairment of cranial nerve functions, is spelled as /ˈbʌlbər ˈpɔːlzi/. The word "bulbar" refers to the medulla oblongata or the brainstem, which controls vital functions such as breathing, swallowing, and speech. The word "palsy" refers to the paralysis or weakness of muscles due to nerve damage. Hence, bulbar palsy involves a dysfunction of the brainstem that leads to impairment of specific cranial nerves resulting in symptoms like difficulty in swallowing, drooling, slurred speech, etc.

BULBAR PALSY Meaning and Definition

1. Bulbar palsy, also known as bulbar paralysis, is a medical condition characterized by weakness or paralysis of the muscles that control speech, swallowing, and other functions of the tongue, throat, and face. It is caused by damage or dysfunction of the cranial nerves that originate in the brainstem, specifically the lower motor neurons, which control the muscles of the head and neck.

   The condition is often a result of neurological disorders or conditions such as amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), brainstem stroke, multiple sclerosis, or certain autoimmune diseases. Bulbar palsy can lead to impairment of various vital functions, including speech difficulties, difficulty in swallowing food and liquids, problems with facial muscle movement, and impaired control of the tongue. As a result, individuals with bulbar palsy may experience slurred speech, difficulty forming words, drooling, choking, and aspiration pneumonia due to food or liquid entering the airway.

   Treatment for bulbar palsy focuses on managing symptoms and improving quality of life. This may include speech therapy to enhance speech and swallowing abilities, assistive devices for feeding, strategies to conserve energy and optimize nutrition, and medications to alleviate symptoms such as muscle spasms or excessive saliva production.

   In severe cases, individuals with bulbar palsy may require a feeding tube to ensure proper nutrition and hydration. Multidisciplinary care involving neurologists, speech therapists, nutritionists, and other healthcare professionals is typically necessary for a comprehensive and individualized treatment plan.

2. Glossolabiolaryngeal paralysis.

   A practical medical dictionary. By Stedman, Thomas Lathrop. Published 1920.

Common Misspellings for BULBAR PALSY

• vulbar palsy
• nulbar palsy
• hulbar palsy
• gulbar palsy
• bylbar palsy
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• bukbar palsy
• bupbar palsy
• buobar palsy
• bulvar palsy
• bulnar palsy
• bulhar palsy
• bulgar palsy
• bulbzr palsy
• bulbsr palsy
• bulbwr palsy

Etymology of BULBAR PALSY

The word "bulbar palsy" is a medical term that combines two components: "bulbar" and "palsy".

- "Bulbar" originates from the Latin word "bulbus", which means a "bulb" or a round swelling. In the context of "bulbar palsy", it refers to the bulbar region of the brain stem.

- "Palsy" comes from the Old French word "paralisie", which in turn derives from the Latin word "paralysis". It refers to a loss or impairment of the ability to move certain muscles or groups of muscles.

Therefore, "bulbar palsy" refers to a condition characterized by the impairment or loss of control over muscles innervated by the cranial nerves associated with the brain stem's bulbar region.