ch. 13 - spinal control of movement Flashcards
motor system
all muscles and the neurons that control them
behavior requires the coordination of how many muscles?
almost 700
smooth muscle
lines the GI tract, arteries, and related structures; innervated by autonomic nervous system
what is the role of smooth muscles?
peristalsis and blood flow
cardiac muscle
heart muscle that functions without innervation but can be modified by ANS
skeletal muscle
the bulk of muscles mass; muscle within a sheath and composed of hundreds of fibers. innervated by CNS
functions of skeletal muscle
- move bones around joints
- move eyes within the head
- control respiration
- control facial expression
- produce speech
muscles that work in opposite directions
synergists and antagonists
T or F: muscles ONLY pull (shorten), not push
true
axial muscles
move trunk, posture
proximal muscles
move shoulder, elbow, knee, and pelvis - locomotion
distal muscles
move fingers, feet, and hands - manipulation of objects
which neurons command muscle contraction?
ONLY lower motor neurons
lower motor neurons (LMN)
distributed in proportion to skeletal muscle density
LMN controlling flexors are located…
dorsal to extensors
LMN controlling axial muscles are located…
medial to those controlling distal muscles
which type of LMN triggers muscles?
alpha motor neurons
which typer of LMN innervates intrafusal fibers?
gamma motor neurons
motor unit
one alpha motor neuron and all muscle fibers it innervates
motor neuron pool
all alpha motor neurons which innervate a single muscle
what is NT used by alpha motor neurons?
acetylcholine (ACh)
how does the CNS grade muscle contraction?
by controlling firing rate of motor units and by recruiting more motor units
size principle
small motor units have small motor neurons, large have large
are small or large neurons more easily excited?
small