Would a brain stem lesion cause a tongue not to move?

[chelsa117]

I was wondering about the effects of a brainstem lesion, is it possible you could stop the function of swallowing and the mobility of your tongue due to this?



Appreciate any information on this.

[chelsa117]

Sorry for my ignorance but is a lesion considered a stroke? And would this cause the tongue to not function properly or at all? If not would any kind of brain lesion or tumor cause the tongue to stop working?

[DrNavneetMD]

Hi Dear,

Brain stem stroke typically causes the most severe cases of dysphagia (difficulty in swallowing). Damage to the medulla is particularly devastating as is to be expected since the "swallowing center" and the nuclei of most of the cranial nerves involved in swallowing are located there. As the cranial nerves are lower motor neurons, they form the final common pathway for all motor impulses traveling from the brain to the muscles involved in deglutition
Unilateral medullary lesions may have functional or even normal oral control. However, they usually have significant problems with the pharyngeal stage of the swallow (the cranial nerves that innervate the pharynx and larynx originate in the medulla).
Recovery is slow over a period of weeks to months which depends on the specific lesion site.

All the best.
Take care