College of Massage Therapists of British Columbia (CMTBC) Practice Exam

What is the role of the fasciculation phenomenon in muscle pathology?

1. Indicates muscle hypertrophy

2. Indicates potential nerve damage or irritation

3. Indicates muscle atrophy

4. Indicates normal muscle function

The correct answer is: Indicates potential nerve damage or irritation

The fasciculation phenomenon signifies spontaneous, involuntary contractions of muscle fibers, often evident as twitching. Its presence is strongly associated with potential nerve damage or irritation, making the implication of answer B accurate in the context of muscle pathology. When a muscle's nerve supply is compromised, whether due to injury, compression, or other forms of irritation, the muscle fibers may exhibit these spontaneous contractions. This response occurs as the affected nerves may inadvertently trigger electrical impulses, leading to localized muscle twitching. Such occurrences can point towards underlying issues such as radiculopathy, neuropathy, or motor neuron diseases. In contrast, the other choices do not correctly identify the significance of fasciculations. Muscle hypertrophy, the enlargement of muscle fibers, does not correlate with the twitching effect of fasciculations, while muscle atrophy refers to a decrease in muscle mass, which is generally characterized by weakness and reduced muscle tone rather than involuntary contractions. Lastly, normal muscle function is characterized by voluntary control and coordinated movements, lacking the involuntary twitching seen in fasciculation. Therefore, identifying the correlation between fasciculations and nerve health is critical in understanding the role they play in muscle pathology.