What muscle characteristics are typically associated with spastic dysarthria?

Spastic dysarthria is characterized primarily by tension and increased muscle tone, which result from upper motor neuron lesions. This condition leads to a state where the muscles are continually contracted, resulting in stiffness, difficulties in coordination, and restricted range of motion. The increased muscle tone contributes to a specific speech pattern where the articulators (like the tongue, lips, and jaw) experience rigidity, making it challenging to produce precise speech sounds.

In contrast, other muscle characteristics such as weakness and reduced tone are typically associated with flaccid dysarthria, which involves weakness due to lower motor neuron involvement. Flaccidity and laxity refer to a state of decreased muscle tone often seen in conditions affecting lower motor neurons. Lastly, while exaggerated reflexes may occur in spastic dysarthria, they are generally a component of the overarching characteristic of increased tone rather than a standalone defining trait. Therefore, the emphasis on tension and increased tone accurately captures the essence of spastic dysarthria.