motor apraxia

motor apraxia,

the inability to carry out planned movements or to handle small objects, although cognizant of the proper use of the object. The condition results from a lesion in the premotor frontal cortex on the opposite side of the affected limb. Also called innervation apraxia. See also apraxia.

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apraxia [ah-prak´se-ah]

loss of ability to carry out familiar purposeful movements in the absence of sensory or motor impairment, especially impairment of the ability to use objects correctly.

amnestic apraxia loss of ability to carry out a movement on command due to inability to remember the command.

apraxia of gait a common disorder of the elderly in which the patient walks with a broad-based gait, taking short steps and placing the feet flat on the ground.

motor apraxia impairment of skilled movements that is not explained by weakness of the affected parts; the patient appears clumsy rather than weak.

sensory apraxia loss of ability to make proper use of an object due to lack of perception of its purpose.

apraxia of speech a speech disorder similar to motor aphasia, due to apraxia of mouth and neck muscles because of a lesion interfering with coordination of impulses from Broca's motor speech area. Called also aphemia.