Jove
Visualize
Contact Us
JoVE
x logofacebook logolinkedin logoyoutube logo
ABOUT JoVE
OverviewLeadershipBlogJoVE Help Center
AUTHORS
Publishing ProcessEditorial BoardScope & PoliciesPeer ReviewFAQSubmit
LIBRARIANS
TestimonialsSubscriptionsAccessResourcesLibrary Advisory BoardFAQ
RESEARCH
JoVE JournalMethods CollectionsJoVE Encyclopedia of ExperimentsArchive
EDUCATION
JoVE CoreJoVE BusinessJoVE Science EducationJoVE Lab ManualFaculty Resource CenterFaculty Site
Terms & Conditions of Use
Privacy Policy
Policies

Related Concept Videos

Disorders of the Skeletal Muscle01:28

Disorders of the Skeletal Muscle

2.2K
The clinical conditions affecting the skeletal muscle tissue are broadly categorized as musculoskeletal and neuromuscular disorders.
Musculoskeletal disorders
Musculoskeletal disorders involve injuries and conditions affecting the skeletal muscles and associated connective tissues. These disorders can arise from acute biomechanical stresses or chronic overuse and can occur across different age groups. Common injuries include sprains, fractures, and muscular strains, often resulting from...
2.2K
Myasthenia Gravis: Diagnostic Tests01:15

Myasthenia Gravis: Diagnostic Tests

2.9K
Myasthenia gravis is an autoimmune condition affecting neuromuscular transmission, causing generalized weakness in skeletal muscles. Initial diagnoses rely on patients' signs, symptoms, and medical history. The challenge lies in distinguishing myasthenia from other muscular dystrophies. An important diagnostic feature is the significant improvement of symptoms after administering anticholinesterase inhibitors.
The edrophonium test is a diagnostic tool for myasthenia gravis. It involves...
2.9K
Myasthenia Gravis: Overview and Treatment01:20

Myasthenia Gravis: Overview and Treatment

3.3K
Myasthenia gravis is a neuromuscular transmission disorder characterized by weakness and increased fatigability of skeletal muscles. It is an autoimmune disease affecting approximately one in 2000 people, where antibodies against the α1 subunit of nicotinic acetylcholine receptors are produced.
These antibodies interfere with the function of the nicotinic receptors in three ways: by binding to the receptor and disrupting acetylcholine binding; by causing cross-linking of receptors which...
3.3K
Chemical Synapses01:26

Chemical Synapses

12.3K
Chemical synapses are specialized sites between two neurons or between a neuron and a non-neuronal cell like a muscle, glandular or sensory cell.
Because chemical synapses depend on the release of neurotransmitter molecules from synaptic vesicles to pass on their signal, there is an approximately one millisecond delay between when the axon potential reaches the presynaptic terminal and when the neurotransmitter leads to opening of postsynaptic ion channels. Additionally, this signaling is...
12.3K
Chemical Synapses01:26

Chemical Synapses

6.8K
Chemical synapses are specialized sites between two neurons or between a neuron and a non-neuronal cell like a muscle, glandular or sensory cell.
Because chemical synapses depend on the release of neurotransmitter molecules from synaptic vesicles to pass on their signal, there is an approximately one millisecond delay between when the axon potential reaches the presynaptic terminal and when the neurotransmitter leads to opening of postsynaptic ion channels. Additionally, this signaling is...
6.8K
Muscle Recovery and Fatigue01:24

Muscle Recovery and Fatigue

4.6K
Muscle fatigue refers to the decline in a muscle's ability to maintain the force of contraction after prolonged activity. It primarily stems from changes within muscle fibers. Even before experiencing muscle fatigue, one may feel tired and have the urge to stop the activity. This response, known as central fatigue, occurs due to changes in the central nervous system, namely the brain and spinal cord. While there is no single mechanism that induces fatigue, it may serve as a protective...
4.6K

You might also read

Related Articles

Articles linked to this work by shared authors, journal, and citation graph.

Sort by
Same author

Mapping the Global Research Landscape of Stress Fractures in Athletes.

Orthopedic reviews·2026
Same author

The Trust-Behavior Paradox in Orthopedic Care: A National Survey of Care-Seeking, Misinformation, and Non-Physician Information Sources.

Orthopedic reviews·2026
Same author

Postoperative Pulmonary Complications Following Craniotomy: A 5-Year ACS-NSQIP Analysis of Risk Factors for Pneumonia, Unplanned Intubation, and Prolonged Ventilation.

The Journal of craniofacial surgery·2026
Same author

The 5-item Modified Frailty Index is a Predictor of Pulmonary Complications in Total Knee Arthroplasty.

Orthopedic reviews·2026
Same author

Fear of diagnosis as a barrier to the screening and diagnosis of breast cancer.

Breast cancer (Tokyo, Japan)·2026
Same author

Physiologic Predictors of Postoperative Dialysis After Total Knee Arthroplasty.

Orthopedic reviews·2026

Related Experiment Video

Updated: Mar 13, 2026

Manual Muscle Testing: A Method of Measuring Extremity Muscle Strength Applied to Critically Ill Patients
09:44

Manual Muscle Testing: A Method of Measuring Extremity Muscle Strength Applied to Critically Ill Patients

Published on: April 12, 2011

83.6K

Acute Generalized Weakness.

Latha Ganti1, Vaibhav Rastogi2

  • 1University of Central Florida College of Medicine, 6850 Lake Nona Blvd, Orlando, FL 32827, USA.

Emergency Medicine Clinics of North America
|October 16, 2016
PubMed
Summary
This summary is machine-generated.

Generalized weakness is a common emergency department complaint. This article clarifies causes of acute, nontraumatic, bilateral weakness, starting with history and physical exams.

Keywords:
Acute weaknessBotulismGuillain-Barre syndromeMyasthenia gravisPeriodic paralysisTick paralysisTransverse myelitis

More Related Videos

Determining The Electromyographic Fatigue Threshold Following a Single Visit Exercise Test
06:00

Determining The Electromyographic Fatigue Threshold Following a Single Visit Exercise Test

Published on: July 27, 2015

13.2K
Conducting Maximal and Submaximal Endurance Exercise Testing to Measure Physiological and Biological Responses to Acute Exercise in Humans
07:26

Conducting Maximal and Submaximal Endurance Exercise Testing to Measure Physiological and Biological Responses to Acute Exercise in Humans

Published on: October 17, 2018

21.5K

Related Experiment Videos

Last Updated: Mar 13, 2026

Manual Muscle Testing: A Method of Measuring Extremity Muscle Strength Applied to Critically Ill Patients
09:44

Manual Muscle Testing: A Method of Measuring Extremity Muscle Strength Applied to Critically Ill Patients

Published on: April 12, 2011

83.6K
Determining The Electromyographic Fatigue Threshold Following a Single Visit Exercise Test
06:00

Determining The Electromyographic Fatigue Threshold Following a Single Visit Exercise Test

Published on: July 27, 2015

13.2K
Conducting Maximal and Submaximal Endurance Exercise Testing to Measure Physiological and Biological Responses to Acute Exercise in Humans
07:26

Conducting Maximal and Submaximal Endurance Exercise Testing to Measure Physiological and Biological Responses to Acute Exercise in Humans

Published on: October 17, 2018

21.5K

Area of Science:

  • Emergency Medicine
  • Neurology

Background:

  • Generalized weakness is a frequent and complex chief complaint in emergency departments.
  • Accurate diagnosis requires careful clarification of the patient's specific symptoms.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To outline the diagnostic approach for acute generalized nontraumatic bilateral weakness.
  • To provide a framework for emergency physicians evaluating weakness.

Main Methods:

  • Review of common etiologies for acute generalized weakness.
  • Emphasis on initial patient assessment through history and physical examination.
  • Discussion of the role of diagnostic testing in select cases.

Main Results:

  • Weakness presentation necessitates detailed patient history and physical assessment.
  • Diagnostic workup is guided by initial clinical findings.
  • Identifying the precise nature of weakness is crucial for effective management.

Conclusions:

  • A systematic approach is essential for evaluating acute generalized nontraumatic bilateral weakness.
  • History and physical examination are the cornerstones of the initial evaluation.
  • Targeted diagnostic testing aids in determining the underlying cause of weakness.