 | This article needs more reliable medical references for verification or relies too heavily on primary sources. (December 2021) |  |
| Bulbar palsy | |
|---|---|
| Specialty | Neurology |
| Symptoms | Dysphagia, dysarthria, flaccid paralysis, muscle atrophy, drooling of saliva, reduced or absent gag reflex |
Bulbar palsy refers to a range of different signs and symptoms linked to impairment of function of the glossopharyngeal nerve (CN IX), the vagus nerve (CN X), the accessory nerve (CN XI), and the hypoglossal nerve (CN XII). It is caused by a lower motor neuron lesion in the medulla oblongata, or from lesions to these nerves outside the brainstem, and also botulism. This may be caused by any of a number of genetic, vascular, degenerative, inflammatory, and other underlying conditions. It can be differentiated from pseudobulbar palsy. When there is airway obstruction, intubation is used.