brain control of movement - motor control Flashcards
What do the lateral pathways of the brain control
Voluntary movements of distal muscles
What do the ventromedial pathways of the brain control
Pressure and locomotion
What are the two lateral pathways
Corticospinal tract and the rubrospinal tract
Describe the corticospinal tract
- Where the medulla becomes the spinal cord, the corticospinal tract decussates - right motor cortex controls the left side and vice versa
What happens if there is a lesion to Corticospinal tract and rubrospinal tract
Fine movements of the arms and hands are los - cant move the upper limbs independantly
What happens when there is lesion to the corticospinal tract alone and the rubrospinal tract is fine
Fine movements of arms and hands are lost and loss of upper limb independant movement but function reappear as the Rubrospinal tract takes over
What do lateral motor neurons control
Distal limb muscles
What do medial motor neurons control
Axial and proximal limb muscles
What does the medial tract from the brainstem control
Pressure, balance and orientating mechanisms
What is the function of the lateral tracts from the cortex
Controls precisely skilled voluntary movements
What area of the brain is the primary motor cortex
Precentral gyrus
Describe the cause of parkinsons disease
- Degenerations of the neurons in the substantia nigra so there is loss of the dopaminergic input
What is the main symptom of parkinsons disease
Hypokinesia - slowness, difficult to make voluntary movements, increased muscle tone and tremors of the hand and the jaw
What is the presentation of huntingtons disease
- Hyperkinesia with dementia and personality disorders
- Characteristic chorea (spontaneous, uncontrolled rapid flicks)
What do lesions to the cerebellum cause
Ataxia - uncoordination
