Glossoplegia

GLOSSOPLEGIA, glossoplegia (from Greek glossa-tongue and plegia-paralysis), paralysis of the tongue, can be of central origin (cortical, subcortical, and conductive) or peripheral (nuclear or root). With central lesions and with disease of the nerve itself, paralysis of the tongue is mostly unilateral-hemi-glossoplegia: the tongue deviates to the paralyzed side, the midline of the tongue shows a concave curve toward the paralyzed side; movements on the affected side, as well as swallowing, chewing, and speech are difficult. With nuclear paralyses and with polyneuritis, the paralysis can be bilateral (see Bulbar paralysis, Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, Polioencephalitis, Polyneuritis), all clinical symptoms then being more sharply expressed. Central paralyses are accompanied by paralysis of the limbs of the same or opposite side (see Hemiplegia, Alternating syndromes), and root paralyses-with symptoms from other nerves (see Hypoglossus nervus).