Final answer:
Athetosis is a movement disorder characterized by involuntary, slow, writhing movements primarily affecting the hands, feet, and face. Individuals with athetosis have difficulty controlling their movements and are unable to stop them completely.
Step-by-step explanation:
Athetosis is a movement disorder characterized by involuntary, slow, writhing movements primarily affecting the hands, feet, and face. Individuals with athetosis have difficulty controlling their movements and are unable to stop them completely. These continuous movements result from dysfunction in the basal ganglia, a cluster of nerve cells in the brain that are responsible for coordinating and controlling voluntary movements.
For example someone with athetosis may have constant twisting, curling, or writhing movements in their hands, making it challenging to perform tasks that require precision and coordination like writing or using utensils. However the involuntary movements can be temporarily suppressed or reduced during periods of intense concentration or when engaging in activities that require fine motor control. In summary, individuals suffering from athetosis have difficulty stopping their involuntary movements due to dysfunction in the basal ganglia. These continuous movements can significantly impact their ability to perform precise motor tasks.