A patient recovering from Bell's palsy develops involuntary twitching of the lower facial muscles when attempting to close the eye. This phenomenon is called:
- A Myokymia
- B Synkinesis ✓
- C Hemifacial spasm
- D Fasciculations
Correct answer: B. Synkinesis
Explanation
Synkinesis refers to involuntary movement of one group of muscles when voluntarily activating another group, occurring due to aberrant reinnervation of facial nerve fibers during recovery from Bell's palsy. Common examples include eye closure causing mouth movement or vice versa. Myokymia is fine continuous twitching. Hemifascular spasm is typically caused by vascular compression at the root entry zone. Fasciculations are spontaneous muscle fiber contractions.
Reference: Cummings Otolaryngology: Head and Neck Surgery, 7th ed.
High-yield for: NEET PGINI-CETNExTFMGEUSMLEPLABMRCP
Written and medically reviewed by the StethoPrep medical team.