The motor system is a complex network that controls movement. It involves various brain regions, the , and muscles working together. This system processes sensory input, plans actions, and executes movements through a series of coordinated steps.
Descending pathways, like the , carry signals from the brain to the . These pathways control different aspects of movement, from fine motor skills to posture and balance. The system relies on feedback loops and reflexes to adjust and fine-tune movements in real-time.
Motor System Processing Stream
Components of motor system processing
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The Central Nervous System | Biology II View original
receives input from sensory areas and plans movements
(M1) executes voluntary movements by sending signals to lower motor neurons
modulates motor activity and helps initiate movements, receiving input from cerebral cortex and sending output to thalamus and (caudate nucleus, putamen, globus pallidus)
fine-tunes and coordinates movements, receiving input from sensory systems and sending output to brainstem and thalamus
Brainstem contains motor nuclei that control cranial nerves and relay signals to spinal cord (midbrain, pons, medulla oblongata)
Spinal cord contains lower motor neurons that directly innervate skeletal muscles
Pathway of motor commands
Premotor cortex and primary motor cortex (M1) in the frontal lobe initiate motor commands
() carries motor signals from cortex to spinal cord
Axons from M1 descend through the
Most axons (cross) at the in the medulla oblongata
crosses at the medulla and descends contralaterally in the lateral white matter of the spinal cord
consists of uncrossed axons that descend ipsilaterally in the anterior white matter of the spinal cord
Lower motor neurons () in the anterior horn of the spinal cord receive signals from the corticospinal tract
Axons of lower motor neurons exit the spinal cord via ventral roots and form peripheral nerves
are where axon terminals of lower motor neurons synapse with skeletal muscle fibers to cause contraction
The is released at the neuromuscular junction to initiate muscle contraction
Descending Motor Pathways
Descending motor pathways: structure vs function
Pyramidal (corticospinal) tract originates from the primary motor cortex (M1) and controls fine, precise, and voluntary movements, especially of distal limbs (hands, fingers)
originate from brainstem motor nuclei, receive input from various brain regions, and control posture, balance, and stereotyped movements
originates from the and controls flexor muscle tone
originates from the superior colliculus and controls head and neck movements in response to visual stimuli
originate from the reticular formation and control axial and proximal limb muscles for posture and balance (sitting, standing)
originate from the vestibular nuclei and control balance and posture in response to vestibular input (inner ear)
Neurological Connections and Movement Initiation
Neurological initiation of movement
Cortical motor areas (premotor cortex and M1) receive input from:
Sensory cortices provide information about the body and environment (somatosensory, visual, auditory)
Basal ganglia help initiate and select appropriate movements
Cerebellum fine-tunes and coordinates planned movements
Cortical motor areas integrate sensory information and motor planning to generate motor commands
Motor commands are sent via the corticospinal tract to lower motor neurons in the spinal cord
Lower motor neurons directly innervate skeletal muscles, causing them to contract and generate movement
Motor Control and Coordination
Hierarchical organization of motor control
in the cerebral cortex and brainstem initiate and control voluntary movements
Lower motor neurons in the spinal cord directly innervate skeletal muscles
Motor units consist of a single lower motor neuron and all the muscle fibers it innervates
Sensory feedback and motor control
provides information about body position and movement, essential for coordinating motor responses
in the spinal cord produce rhythmic motor patterns for activities like walking and breathing
Reflex Arcs
Reflex arcs in motor responses
() is a monosynaptic reflex that maintains muscle tone and resists sudden changes in muscle length
Receptors are that detect muscle stretch
Afferent neuron is the that carries the signal to the spinal cord
Efferent neuron is the alpha motor neuron that innervates the same muscle
Example is the patellar tendon reflex (knee-jerk reflex)
() is a polysynaptic reflex that protects muscles and tendons from excessive tension
Receptor is the that detects muscle tension
Afferent neuron is the that carries the signal to the spinal cord
Interneuron is an inhibitory interneuron that inhibits the alpha motor neuron of the same muscle
Efferent neuron is the alpha motor neuron, and its innervation to the same muscle is reduced
() is a polysynaptic reflex that protects the body from harmful stimuli
Receptors are and in the skin
Afferent neuron is a sensory fiber that carries the signal to the spinal cord
Interneurons include excitatory interneurons that stimulate flexor muscles and inhibitory interneurons that inhibit extensor muscles
Efferent neurons are alpha motor neurons that innervate flexor muscles to withdraw the limb and extensor muscles to relax