FAU Advanced Health Assessment Practice Test

Which condition is associated with lower motor neuron lesions affecting the spinal cord regions L1-S5?

1. Multiple Sclerosis

2. Cauda Equina Syndrome

3. Guillain-Barré Syndrome

4. Parkinson's Disease

The correct answer is: Cauda Equina Syndrome

Lower motor neuron lesions that affect the spinal cord regions L1-S5 are primarily associated with cauda equina syndrome. This condition occurs when there is damage to the cauda equina, which is a bundle of nerve roots at the lower end of the spinal cord. Since these nerve roots are responsible for innervating the lower limbs and pelvic organs, lesions in this area can lead to significant motor and sensory deficits, as well as bowel and bladder dysfunction. Cauda equina syndrome typically presents with symptoms such as lower back pain, sciatica, saddle anesthesia, and loss of bladder and bowel control. Recognizing this condition is crucial, as it often requires urgent surgical intervention to prevent permanent damage. Other conditions listed, such as multiple sclerosis, Guillain-Barré syndrome, and Parkinson's disease, primarily involve upper motor neuron lesions or have different pathophysiological mechanisms that do not specifically affect the lower motor neurons of the cauda equina. For example, multiple sclerosis primarily affects the central nervous system, leading to various neurological symptoms, while Guillain-Barré syndrome is a peripheral neuropathy that can cause lower limb weakness but does not specifically originate from lesions in the L1-S5 region. Parkinson's disease involves the degeneration of