Pt12 Somatic Motor System & Reflex Arc Flashcards
Describe the hierarchical organization of the motor system.
(CNS -> PNS)
1. CC (cerebellum & basal nuclei) = connections & feedback loops
2. UMN originate in brainstem & motor cortex
3. LMNs connect with interneuronal circuitry that connect to sensory nerves (reflex arc) or synapse in regions of brain
4. LMN connects w muscle
What are the functions of the spinal cord?
- Receiving & distribute info from PNS (sensory system)
- Relay afferent/sensory info to brain (sensory system)
- Integration of sensory & motor = reflex
- Relay efferent/motor info from motor center via tracts to connect with peripheral neurons (motor system)
>2 motor tracts = pyramidal & extrapyramidal
What are the 3 main functions of the motor system?
- Posture (somatic)
- Voluntary movement & locomotion (somatic)
- Controls visceral motor function (ANS)
What are the 2 divisions of the motor system?
-UMN
-LMN
Describe the organization of LMNs & UMNs of the somatic motor system.
-LMN = originate in ventral horn of spinal cord or in cranial nerve & synapse in skeletal muscle
-UMN = originate in brain & control LMN (inhibit/stimulate) located in CNS
What are the 2 divisions of the UMN?
- Pyramidal neurons
-corticospinal
-motor area of CC
-voluntary motor control in humans (skilled) - Extrapyramidal neurons
-brainstem
-gait & movements in quadrupeds
Describe UMN.
-initiate voluntary movement
-maintain muscle tone for support against gravity
-regulate posture
-loss of inhibitory UMN = increased muscle tone & spinal reflexes
-loss of facilitatory UMN = paresis or paralysis
Describe LMN.
-cell body in CNS (brainstem or spinal cord)
-axons project into PNS via cranial or spinal nerves
>striated or smooth muscle at neuromuscular junction
-when stimulated = muscle contraction
-muscle tone & bulk
-loss of LMN = paresis/paralysis with decreased/absent muscle tone & reflexes
What do the LMNs innervate?
Cervical & lumbar intumescence
What if all limbs show signs of LMN?
-lesion at neuromuscular junction
-lesions in spinal cord affect limbs caudal to lesion
If all 4 limbs are affected where is the problem at?
C1-C5 = UMN in both limbs
C6-T2 = LMN in front & UMN in hind
If only the pelvic limbs are affected where is the problem at?
T3-L3 = UMN in pelvic limb
L4-S3 = LMN in pelvic limb
KNOW THE SPINAL CORD REGIONS.
What is the function of the somatic motor system?
-supports body against gravity
-posture
-voluntary movement
COMPOSITION:
-cerebral motor cortex
-basal nuclei (habits)
-cerebellum (coordinates movement)
-thalamus (relay nucleus)
-brainstem
-spinal cord
-peripheral nerves
What do posture & movement depend on?
-voluntary = high brain center
-involuntary = spinal cord