A47-year-old man complains of slowly progressing weakness of both “legs.” on examination he has a flaccid paralysis of both lower extremities, muscle fasciculations, hypotonia, and areflexia. in addition, there is loss of pain and temperature sensations over the anterior aspect of both lower extremities and most of the feet but sparing the little toes.
the flaccid paralysis, fasciculations, hypotonia, and areflexia in this patient are most likely the result of damage to what structures?
a. lateral corticospinal tracts
b. posterior (dorsal) roots
c. anterior (ventral) horn cells and alpha motor neurons
d. reticulospinal/vestibulospinal tracts
e. afferent fibers involved in monosynaptic reflexes