The Control Of Movement Flashcards
Give an example of antagonistic muscles.
Biceps and triceps, Rectus femoris and hamstrings, etc.
What is a neuromuscular junction?
A synapse between a motor neuron axon and a muscle fiber.
What are the two antagonistic muscle types?
Flexor and extensor.
What are the two types of muscle fibers and differentiate the two.
Fast twitch and slow twitch muscle fibers. Fast twitch are anaerobic and fatigue easily, while slow twitch are aerobic and can work longer.
What is the function of Golgi tendon organs?
Golgi tendon organs are located in the tendons at each end of a muscle and act as a brake to prevent excessively vigorous muscle contractions.
What is a muscle spindle?
Muscle spindles are receptors parallel to a muscle that respond to excessive stretching, preventing hyper extension.
What are the three infant reflexes?
Babinski, rooting, and grasping reflex.
If I notice the brightness of the sun and reflexively shade my eyes, but then sneeze, what is this known as?
Allied reflexes, two or more reflexes that are closely associated and is most prevalent in children and young adults.
Where is the primary motor cortex located?
The primary motor cortex is the precentral gyrus on the frontal lobe anterior to the post central gyrus on the parietal lobe.
Which cerebral cortex is important for eliciting movements, but not planning them?
Primary motor cortex.
This cerebral cortex is important for planning movements before initiating them.
Posterior parietal cortex.
What result comes from stimulating a spot on the primary motor cortex?
Stimulating a spot on the primary motor cortex produces a certain outcome, not a particular muscle movement.
What is the prefrontal cortex function in planning movements?
Considering the probable outcomes of possible movements.
What is the broad name for paths from the cerebral cortex to the spinal cord?
Corticospinal tracts
What are the two major descending corticospinal tracts?
The Lateral Corticospinal Tract and Medial Corticospinal Tract
What are the five major ascending corticospinal tracts?
Gracile Fasciculus, Cuneate Fasciculus, Dorsal Spinocerebellar Tract, Ventral Spinocerebellar Tract, and the Spinothalamic Tract.
What is the Lateral Corticospinal Tract responsible for?
Precise and discrete movements in the hands, feet, and fingers. It begins in the motor cortex or red nucleus and decussates at the Medulla, ending up at the contralateral side of its corresponding cerebral hemisphere.
What is the Medial Corticospinal Tract responsible for?
Trunk muscle movement and postural adjustments including standing, walking, and turning. Begins in many areas of cerebral cortex and tectum, reticular formation, and vestibular nucleus and end up on both sides o the spinal cord, not just contralaterally.
What are the principal cerebellar neurons called, look like, and whats their function?
Purkinje fibers are flat and are sequentially excited by Parallel fibers to time and synchronize their inhibitory activity on the nuclei of the cerebellum, ultimately leading to fine movement and coordination.
What are 6 structures (arguably) classified in the Basal Ganglia?
Nucleus Accumbens Globus Pallidus Putamen Caudate Nucleus Substantia Nigra Subthalamic Nucleus
What are some functions of the Basal Ganglia?
Regulates initiation of movements, balance, saccades, & posture. Links thalamus to motor cortex. Also involved in cognition, emotion, the reward system, addiction, and habit forming.
What are two diseases directly linked to the Basal Ganglia?
Parkinsons Disease and Huntingtons Chorea.
What are 6 structures (arguably) classified in the Limbic System?
Cingulate Gyrus Hippocampus Olfactory Bulb Amygdala Hypothalamus Dentate Gyrus
What are some functions of the Limbic System?
Involved in processing/regulating emotions, memory, & sexual arousal. Important element to stress management, endocrine system, autonomic system, and odor processing. Has been linked to mood disorders and schizophrenia.
What is the pathway for signalling in the Basal Ganglia?
Cerebral cortex -> Caudate Nucleus & Putamen -> Globus Pallidus -> Thalamus & Midbrain -> Motor cortices
