Neural Control of Movement Flashcards
Location of Golgi Tendon Organs
- encapsulated in tendon fibres near junction of muscle and tendon fibres
- approx 1 mm long and 0.1 mm diameter
- series with muscle fibers rather than in parallel like MS
When is Golgi Tendon Organs stretched?
Muscles contracting
What are the functions of GTO?
firing rate of GTO sensitive to changes in tension of muscle
What is the sensory input from GTO about tensnio produced my muscles useful for?
variety of motor acts - maintaing a stead grip on object
What happens when GTO is stimulated by excessive tension or stretch?
send sensory info to CNS -> contracted muscle relaxes (reflex inhibition) -> protect muscle and connective tissue harness from damage from excessive loads
What do Joint Receptors do?
supply info to CNS about joint angle and acceleration of joint
What are the main centres used in learning new motor skills?
cerebral cortex and cerebellum
What is in the Cerebral Cortex?
- primary motor cortex
- pre motor cortex
Where is primary motor cortex locateed?
rear of frontal lobe of the cerebral cortex
function of primary motor cortex?
- movement in specific areas of body
- contains motor homunculus
- no movements can be elicited
function of motor cortex?
controls muscles on the opposite side of body
What is the pyramidal tract?
- corticospinal pathway
- long axons carry impulses from primary motor cortex to spinal nerves
- mediates performance of fine, discrete, voluntary movements of hands and fingers
function of pre motor cortex?
1/3 higher areas that command primary motor cortex
where is pre motor cortex located?
lateral surface of each cerebral hemisphere in front of primary motor cortex
what is extrapyramidal tract?
- multineuronal pathways
- route used to send impulses from premotor area down to lower motor neuron of SC
- involves cerebellum
- posture and coordination of large muscle groups
