apraxia
Pronunciation: ah-PRAK-see-ah
Inability to perform learned, purposeful movements despite intact motor function and comprehension.
Full Definition
Apraxia is a neurological disorder characterized by the inability to execute learned, skilled movements or gestures despite having normal strength, sensation, coordination, and comprehension of the task. This condition typically results from lesions in the left parietal lobe, particularly the inferior parietal lobule and adjacent areas, or disconnection of motor planning regions from executive areas. Different types of apraxia include ideomotor apraxia (cannot perform gestures on command), ideational apraxia (cannot sequence multi-step actions), and limb-kinetic apraxia (loss of fine motor skills). Apraxia commonly occurs following stroke, traumatic brain injury, or degenerative diseases. Speech apraxia specifically affects the ability to coordinate speech movements, resulting in inconsistent articulation errors and difficulty with speech initiation.
Usage
Usage note: Specify type (ideomotor, ideational, speech) and distinguish from aphasia or weakness.
In Context
- "The stroke patient exhibited ideomotor apraxia, unable to wave goodbye despite understanding the request." — Neuropsychological assessment
- "Speech therapy focused on treating apraxia of speech following the left hemisphere infarction." — Rehabilitation plan