Turns out, Aaron has polio, or paralytic poliomyelitis (whoa). Polio is a highly infectious viral disease that is spread through human-to-human contact. The virus enters through the mouth, particularly in areas with poor sanitation, and multiplies in the intestines. From there, it invades the spinal cord, causing the neuronal death of motor neurons controlling skeletal muscles. With no motor neuron stimulation, the skeletal muscles become flaccid, smaller, and weaker, which describes atrophy. This is called flaccid paralysis, and spinal reflexes also disappear. 1. How would you describe the resting muscle tone in the muscles of Aaron’s left hip girdle, thigh and leg?