Rubral tremor is a type of movement disorder characterized by a tremor or shaking of the limbs, primarily affecting the upper body. The spelling of this word is based on the IPA (International Phonetic Alphabet) transcription, where "rubral" is pronounced as /ˈruːbrəl/ and "tremor" as /ˈtrɛmər/. The letter "r" is pronounced strongly in both words, and the "e" in "tremor" is pronounced as /ɛ/ instead of the long "ee" sound, which is commonly mispronounced. Understanding the IPA transcription helps in accurately spelling and pronouncing medical terms and jargon.
Rubral tremor is a medical condition characterized by an involuntary rhythmic shaking or tremor of the limbs. This type of tremor is specifically associated with lesions or damage to a region called the red nucleus, which is part of the midbrain. The red nucleus plays a crucial role in coordinating and controlling voluntary movements of the body.
The tremor in rubral tremor typically affects one or both arms and can also involve the head, neck, or other body parts. It is a coarse, rhythmic, and often irregular tremor that occurs at rest and worsens during purposeful movements or when maintaining a posture against gravity. This type of tremor is generally slow and can exhibit a puppet-like appearance, known as an "Intention Tremor," where the tremor becomes exaggerated as the person approaches a target or tries to perform precise movements.
Rubral tremor can be caused by a variety of factors, including stroke, traumatic brain injury, brain tumor, or other conditions that result in damage to the red nucleus and its associated pathways. The tremor may be accompanied by other neurological symptoms, such as muscle stiffness, abnormal postures, or difficulty with coordination and balance. Treatment options for rubral tremor may include medications to reduce symptoms, physical therapy to improve coordination and movement, and in severe cases, surgical interventions such as deep brain stimulation.
Overall, rubral tremor is a specific type of tremor that arises due to dysfunction in the red nucleus of the midbrain, leading to involuntary shaking or tremor predominantly affecting the limbs.
The word "rubral" in "rubral tremor" is derived from the term "red nucleus", which is a structure located in the midbrain of the human brain. The red nucleus contains iron and exhibits a reddish coloration due to the presence of this mineral.
"Tremor" refers to an involuntary, rhythmic movement of a part or parts of the body. It usually implies a quivering or shaking motion. In the case of a rubral tremor, it specifically refers to a tremor that originates from dysfunction or damage to the red nucleus.