What term refers to weakness or paralysis of the muscles used for speech due to brain damage?

What term refers to weakness or paralysis of the muscles used for speech due to brain damage?

• A. Dysarthria
• B. Aphasia
• C. Dysphagia
• D. Apraxia

Answer: (A)

Dysarthria is a motor speech disorder caused by brain damage that leads to weakness, slowness, or poor coordination of the muscles used for speech—such as the lips, tongue, vocal cords, and diaphragm. This results in slurred, imprecise, or distorted speech because the muscles aren’t moving smoothly. Aphasia, by contrast, affects understanding and producing language, not the actual muscle movements. Dysphagia is about swallowing difficulties, not speech. Apraxia of speech involves trouble planning or sequencing the movements needed for speech, even though the muscles themselves may be able to move normally.

Dysarthria is a motor speech disorder caused by brain damage that leads to weakness, slowness, or poor coordination of the muscles used for speech—such as the lips, tongue, vocal cords, and diaphragm. This results in slurred, imprecise, or distorted speech because the muscles aren’t moving smoothly.

Aphasia, by contrast, affects understanding and producing language, not the actual muscle movements. Dysphagia is about swallowing difficulties, not speech. Apraxia of speech involves trouble planning or sequencing the movements needed for speech, even though the muscles themselves may be able to move normally.