LMN

Medical abbreviation · Neurology

LMN
Stands forLower motor neuron
CategoriesMedical

LMN stands for Lower motor neuron, a neurology abbreviation.

Motor nerve cell in the brainstem or spinal cord whose axon travels in a peripheral nerve directly to muscle. Damage causes weakness with muscle wasting, twitching (fasciculations), reduced tone and decreased or absent reflexes.

Example: Wasting and fasciculations of the hand muscles with absent reflexes: LMN pattern.

Usage notes

Lower motor neuron lesions include anterior horn cell diseases such as polio and spinal muscular atrophy, nerve root compression and peripheral neuropathy. Facial nerve palsy is a classic LMN lesion affecting the whole half of the face, whereas a stroke (UMN) typically spares the forehead. Electromyography shows denervation in LMN disease.

More neurology abbreviations

  • IIH – Idiopathic intracranial hypertension
  • IVH – Intraventricular hemorrhage
  • JME – Juvenile myoclonic epilepsy
  • LBD – Lewy body dementia
  • LEMS – Lambert-Eaton myasthenic syndrome
  • LKW – Last known well
  • LOC – Loss of consciousness
  • LP – Lumbar puncture
  • LVO – Large vessel occlusion
  • MCI – Mild cognitive impairment
  • MG – Myasthenia gravis
  • MMSE – Mini-Mental State Examination

See all 131 neurology abbreviations →

This entry is for general education and is not medical advice. Abbreviation use varies between institutions; always confirm in context.