Which statement is NOT a typical characteristic of transcortical motor aphasia?

• A. Laborious, telegraphic utterances
• B. Fluent, well-articulated speech
• C. Preserved repetition
• D. Nonfluent speech with relatively preserved comprehension

Answer: (B)

Transcortical motor aphasia is defined by nonfluent, effortful speech that is often telegraphic, with relatively preserved understanding and intact repetition. The reason repetition stays intact is that the language centers and their repeating circuitry remain connected, while initiation of speech is impaired by the disruption outside the core speech areas. So a statement that describes fluent, well-articulated speech does not fit this syndrome, because fluency is not typical when initiation is impaired. The other traits—laborious, telegraphic output; preserved repetition; and nonfluent speech with preserved comprehension—all align with transcortical motor aphasia.