Final answer:
Unilateral paralysis is exemplified by a loss of muscle control on one side, often demonstrated as flaccid paralysis in LMN lesions. Bilateral paralysis affects both sides and is associated with conditions causing UMN lesions, leading to symptoms like spasticity and muscle weakness. Ankylosis results in joint stiffness and immobility, affecting mobility and function.
Step-by-step explanation:
How unilateral paralysis looks can be observed in a patient with paralysis on one side of their body, as demonstrated by a 50-year-old male with complete paralysis of his right-side limbs.
This type of paralysis results in the inability to voluntarily control muscle movements on the affected side, typically leading to a lack of muscle tone, known as flaccid paralysis, which is characteristic of a lower motor neuron (LMN) lesion. Other signs include fibrillation, fasciculation, and lost reflexes due to muscle fiber denervation.
Bilateral paralysis affects both sides of the body. This can mean a global motor system issue, potentially stemming from diseases that result in upper motor neuron (UMN) lesions, like cerebral palsy, multiple sclerosis (MS), or from stroke. Manifestations include muscle weakness, spasticity, and hyperflexia with clasp-knife response.
Ankylosis refers to the stiffening and immobility of a joint due to fusion of the bones, which is typically a result of chronic rheumatoid arthritis or other inflammatory conditions. The affected joint loses function and can lead to alterations in gait or mobility, depending on which joint is involved.