What is a typical facial expression seen in a Parkinson's patient?

What is a typical facial expression seen in a Parkinson's patient?

• A. Blank and expressionless
• B. Wide, aggressive stare
• C. Constant smiling
• D. Furrowed brow and frowning

Answer: (A)

In Parkinson disease, a common motor feature is hypomimia, often called a masked or expressionless face. The facial muscles are rigid and move slowly (bradykinesia), and spontaneous facial movements like blinking are reduced. This combination makes the face appear flat and show little emotion, even when the person is talking or feeling something. That is why a blank, expressionless appearance is the typical facial expression. The other expressions don’t fit Parkinson’s pattern: an aggressive stare isn’t typical of the disease’s facial presentation, constant smiling would indicate unusually high expressiveness not seen with PD, and a furrowed brow with frowning more commonly reflects tension, discomfort, or other conditions rather than the characteristic masked facies.

In Parkinson disease, a common motor feature is hypomimia, often called a masked or expressionless face. The facial muscles are rigid and move slowly (bradykinesia), and spontaneous facial movements like blinking are reduced. This combination makes the face appear flat and show little emotion, even when the person is talking or feeling something. That is why a blank, expressionless appearance is the typical facial expression.

The other expressions don’t fit Parkinson’s pattern: an aggressive stare isn’t typical of the disease’s facial presentation, constant smiling would indicate unusually high expressiveness not seen with PD, and a furrowed brow with frowning more commonly reflects tension, discomfort, or other conditions rather than the characteristic masked facies.