2.2 Flashcards
Association cortex
Refers to the parts of the brain that receive multiple inputs which work so that we can respond to our experience
What happens when you receive a visual signal?
Visual signal goes to the primary visual cortex –> motor association areas –> premotor cortex –> primary motor cortex –> voluntary movement
Motor cortex and movement
The motor cortex is only one of three areas of the brain controlling movement.
While the premotor cortex is planning movement, there is also input:
- basal nuclei: to initiate purposeful movement
- cerebellum: to coordinate movement
Primary motor cortex
The primary motor cortex generates motor signals.
It executes distinct, well-defined, voluntary motor activity.
- contralateral
- homunculus: illustration showing how much of your brain controls different body parts
Primary somatosensory area
Provides feedback about the movement generated by the primary motor cortex
Premotor cortical areas
Work together to plan complex movement
1. Premotor cortex
2. Supplementary motor cortex
3. Frontal eye fields
4. Cingulate motor areas
- part of the limbic lobe
- memories and emotion
- motivation
Premotor cortex
The premotor cortex appears to be involved in the selection of appropriate motor plans for voluntary movements
Postural support of axial and girdle muscles
Receives parietal lobe sensory projections
Supplementary motor cortex
Programming of elaborate movement
- often with athletes and musicians
- bilateral coordination
- trunk and girdle muscles
Frontal eye fields
Coordinates eye movement
Cingulate motor areas
Motivational, emotional aspects of movement
Posterior parietal area
Provides tactile and visual guidance by projecting to the supplementary and premotor cortices
Activated even when you aren’t moving
Dependent on proprioception
- tactile and visual guidance to support motor activity
Cell layers of the cerebral cortex
The grey matter of the cerebral cortex has 6 layers of cells, each with a specific function.
- Layer V is mot prominent in the motor cortex. The cell bodies are pyramidal shaped.
- These are the cell bodies of the upper motor neurons.
White matter paths through the cerebrum
Grey matter cells send axons down through the white matter, carrying signals to other parts of the CNS. The white matter is arranged into bundles such as tracts, peduncles, and corpus callosum.
Axons of the upper motor neurons form white matter bundles.
Corona radiata
Corticospinal tract
Originates with the motor cortex areas and descends to the spinal cord, carrying motor signals.
These are the upper motor neurons and they will synapse with one of 3 cells:
- interneurons
- alpha motor neurons
- gamma motor neurons
Corticospinal tract pathway through brain and brainstem
Axons descend: corona radiata –> internal capsule –> midbrain –> pons -> most fibers decussate in the lower medulla (pyramidal decussation) –> spinal cord
Another view:
Lateral corticospinal tract
Mediates the execution of rapid, skilled voluntary movements of the distal musculature of the upper and lower limbs, especially the intrinsic muscles of the hand.
Anterior corticospinal tract
Postural muscles
The fibers influence the neurons that innervate the axial and proximal limb (girdle) musculature.
Cross section of corticospinal tract
R anterior corticospinal tract caries signals from the R hemisphere
R lateral corticospinal tract carries signals from L hemisphere.
Corticonuclear tract
Similar to corticospinal tract but terminates in the head and neck, synapsing on:
- cranial nerve nuclei
- brachiomotor nuclei: skeletal mm of head and neck
Pyramidal tract
The pyramidal tracts are part of the upper motor neuron system and are a system of efferent nerve fibers that carry signals from the cerebral cortex to either the brainstem or the spinal cord.
It divides into two tracts: the corticospinal tract and the corticonuclear tract.
It terminates on interneurons, alpha motor neurons, and gamma motor neurons.
Motor tract termination
CST and CNT terminate on
- interneurons
- alpha motor neurons
- gamma motor neurons