Which type of cerebral palsy is characterized by slow, arrhythmic writhing and involuntary movements of the extremities?

• A. Spasticity
• B. Hypotonia
• C. Athetosis
• D. Bulbar palsy

Answer: (C)

The main idea is recognizing the different motor patterns seen in cerebral palsy. Athetosis describes slow, continuous, twisting and writhing movements, often affecting the hands and feet and sometimes the face. This dyskinetic presentation arises from dysfunction in the extrapyramidal/basal ganglia pathways, so movements are arrhythmic and involuntary rather than stiff or stiff-looking.

That’s why this option fits best: the key feature is the slow, writhing, involuntary motion of the limbs. Spasticity, by contrast, is characterized by increased muscle tone and stiff, velocity-dependent resistance to movement. Hypotonia is reduced muscle tone, leading to floppy limbs rather than writhing. Bulbar palsy involves weakness of the muscles innervated by the lower cranial nerves, causing speech and swallowing problems, not the characteristic limb writhing pattern of athetosis.